Myanmar commits to ending sexual violence in conflict

Myanmar commits to ending sexual violence in conflict

By Thomas Kean   |   Saturday, 07 June 2014

Myanmar has agreed to endorse the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict ahead of a major global summit next week, the British embassy in Yangon has announced.

The government came under fierce criticism in September when it was one of 50 United Nations members that refused to sign the declaration, the introduction of which has been led by the United Kingdom.

However, on June 6 the British embassy said Myanmar had become the 150^th country to endorse the declaration. The decision comes ahead of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, which will bring more than 230 government delegates from all over the world to London from June 10-13.

Myanmar civil society organisations will now be joined by an official delegation at the event.

"Burma is the 150^th country to lend its support to this important international campaign led by the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie," the embassy said.

"We are also pleased that Deputy Foreign Minister U Thant Kyaw will be attending the Global Summit in London next week. It is time to put an end to sexual violence in conflict once and for all."

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/06/07/myanmar-commits-to-ending-sexual-violence-in-conflict/