Baird joins campaign to end sexual violence in Burma

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has joined forces with famous figures to support a campaign for the end of rape and sexual violence in Burma. Along other campaigners are stage and screen stars such as Maureen Lipman, Dame Judi Dench, Jo Brand and Annie Lennox.

A new report by the Women’s League of Burma (WLB) ‘Same Impunity, Same Pattern’, highlights the continuing use of sexual violence against minority women by the Burmese military. Ethnic women and girls suffer horrific sexual abuse while military perpetrators have guaranteed impunity.

When Vera Baird was a Member of Parliament, she used to Chair the All Parliamentary Group for Burma.

The campaign demands include:

• An international investigation into rape and sexual violence by the Burmese military against ethnic women and girls

• An end to impunity for rape and other forms of sexual violence in Burma

• Amendment of the 2008 constitution that guarantees impunity for military perpetrators, so further sexual violence can be prevented

• The inclusion of women in the peace negotiations

• The inclusion of women at every political level in Burma

• Burma’s rape law to be in line with international human rights standards to outlaw rape in marriage

• The British Government should provide funding for the Women’s League of Burma and its members to support their work in documenting cases of rape and providing support for victims of sexual violence

• Northumbria’s Commissioner has also asked the Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening to support the campaign