NZLS urges Government to support UN Burma human rights inquiry

The New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) has written to Prime Minister John Key to request New Zealand Government support for a planned United Nations Resolution on Burma.

NZLS President Jonathan Temm says 16 states have called for a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged human rights and humanitarian law violations committed in Burma.

“The Law Society is committed to advancing and upholding human rights world-wide and the Law Society’s Human Rights and Privacy Committee monitors adherence to international human rights covenants and obligations both here in New Zealand and overseas,” Mr Temm writes.

“The Law Society and its members think it is important that New Zealand takes further steps to ascertain the facts where there are credible and serious allegations of human rights law and humanitarian law abuses.”

Mr Temm says that verification is best carried out through an impartial and independent UN Commission of Inquiry, which could assist in providing credible answers to allegations that crimes against humanity and war crimes have been perpetrated in Burma.

“In light of the serious allegations of human rights and humanitarian law abuses reported by UN bodies, the Law Society urges the New Zealand Government to support the planned Resolution on Burma at the UN General Assembly,” Mr Temm concludes.

© New Zealand Law Society 2008