Christian Solidarity Worldwide is urging the EU to give its support to a UN investigation into crimes against humanity in Burma.

The call comes after the US announced it would support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into suspected abuses being committed by Burma’s military regime against the Burmese people.

The proposal for an inquiry was made by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, following his visit to the country in February. He warned at the time that human rights violations in Burma may amount to crimes against humanity and in June called on the regime to conform to the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The UK, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Australia have all expressed their support for a Commission of Inquiry.

In a letter to Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday, CSW welcomed the UK’s support and called on the Government to press for mention of an inquiry in a UN General Assembly resolution on Burma later this year.

CSW’s East Asia Team leader, Benedict Rogers, said the backing of the US would give “significant momentum” to the international campaign to end impunity in Burma.

“The military regime in Burma has one of the worst human rights records in the world, and is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the widespread and systematic use of rape as a weapon of war, forced labour, the forcible recruitment of child soldiers, killings, torture and the destruction of over 3,500 villages in eastern Burma alone,” he said.

“The UN has spent twenty years urging the regime to end its violations, which it has described in numerous resolutions as violating international humanitarian law.

“It is time now for the UN to act, and for the EU, including the United Kingdom, to work closely with the United States to build support in the General Assembly for a Commission of Inquiry.”

Last week, CSW called on the international community to reject Burma’s election in November.

It warned that with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned and excluded, the “sham” election would constitute a “whitewash” for the ruling military junta.

Election laws and a new constitution guaranteeing 25 per cent of the seats for the military would make it “impossible” for the election to be free or fair, it added.

The human rights group wants to see an arms embargo imposed on Burma in addition to the Commission of Inquiry.

Mr Rogers called on the generals to enter into meaningful dialogue with Suu Kyi, the democracy movement and the ethnic nationalities living in Burma.