Date: 2 March 2010
Location: Proshansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate Center, New York
Description
Under the leadership of the Nobel peace laureates, a tribunal to hear the testimony of twelve women of Burma was held in conjunction with the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women annual meeting. Eminent judges heard personal testimony from those who lived through a range of human rights violations under the military regime in Burma including rape, torture, and other crimes against humanity.
The tribunal challenged the existing impunity for Burma’s military leaders and demanded accountability and offered up key policy recommendations based on the testimony.
Adjudicated by
Dr. Shirin Ebadi
Nobel Peace Prize (2003), Iran
Jody Williams
Nobel Peace Prize (1997), USA
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel
Nobel Peace Prize (1980), Argentina
Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Dr. Heisoo Shin
Former Expert, UN CEDAW, Republic of Korea
Sample Testimony
“They raped us all without a second thought, until we finally escaped their drunken grasps. News spread quickly throughout my village. We received international attention when the BBC picked up the story. I had become a headline. The shame I brought to my family, my school, my village was so difficult to bear. I wanted to forget but no one would let me. I was caned by my teacher in front of the entire school before being expelled. Later, I was also expelled from my community for bringing shame upon it. Left without a home, a school, friends or a family, I was arrested by the police for “defaming” the same soldiers that raped me.
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Find out more
Media Release
International Tribunal of Burma calls for end to impunity for military regime (3 March 2010)
Report
International Tribunal on crimes against the women of Burma
Webcasts
Burma Tribunal Webcast Part 1 (English)
Burma Tribunal Webcast Part 2 (English)
Burma Tribunal Webcast Part 3 (English)
Burma Tribunal Webcast Part 4 (English)
Videos
Film
Documentary: “This is My Witness”