Actors Judi Dench and Gillian Anderson are among 110 high-profile women who have signed a pledge to end sexual violence in Myanmar, released today to mark International Women’s Day.
The petition organized by non-profit Burma Campaign UK asks for: an investigation into sexual violence by the army against ethnic minority women and girls; an end to impunity for perpetrators; the inclusion of women into politics; and a law to ban rape within marriage.
It calls on the National League of Democracy, set to form a government after winning elections last year, to prioritize investigating rape within conflict zones.
In addition to celebrities, the all-female list of signatories includes British politicians and prominent human rights activists.
“As a woman from Burma, I am grateful to see so many high profile women from the UK join forces with us to stop rape and sexual violence by the Burmese Army,” said Zoya Phan, campaigns manager at Burma Campaign UK.
“The continuing use of rape and sexual violence by the Burmese Army is a crime and the lack of action to stop it is a scandal.”
Activists say sexual violence against ethnic minority women in conflict areas, particularly Kachin and Northern Shan states, has escalated since ceasefires were broken in recent years.
In one high-profile case, two young Kachin teachers were raped and murdered in northern Shan state in January 2015.
Suspicion quickly fell on the army platoon stationed in the village – charges that were strongly refuted. Shortly afterwards, the military announced that anyone who accused them would be sued.
More than a year later, the perpetrators have still not been found.
The military retains significant political power despite the victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy in polls last year.
Burma Campaign UK’s petition calls on the party to consider an international investigation into sexual violence within the institution.
Here’s the full list of signatories:
Angela Smith MP, Labour MP
Anna Roberts, Burma Campaign UK
Annie Lennox OBE, Singer
Baroness Bakewell DBE, Labour Peer
Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville MBE, Liberal Democrat Peer
Baroness Berridge, Conservative Peer
Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Coussins, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Cox, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Deech DBE, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Flather DL, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Golding, Labour Peer
Baroness Goudie, Labour Peer
Baroness Gould of Potternewton, Labour Peer
Baroness Harris of Richmomd DL, Liberal Democrat Peer
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, Labour Peer
Baroness Hilton of Eggardon QPM, Labour Peer
Baroness Hodgson of Abinger CBE, Conservative Peer
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, Green Party Peer
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead, Labour Peer
Baroness Lister of Burtersett CBE, Labour Peer
Baroness Mallalieu QC, Labour Peer
Baroness Meacher, Crossbench Peer
Baroness Nye, Labour Peer
Baroness Sharp of Guildford, Liberal Democrat Peer
Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE DL, Conservative Peer
Baroness Thornton, Labour Peer
Baroness Uddin, Non-affiliated Peer
Baroness Warnock DBE, Crossbench Peer (retired June 2015)
Baroness Wheatcroft, Conservative Peer
Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party MP
Carolyn Harris MP, Labour MP
Charlotte Leslie MP, Conservative MP
Cheery Zahau, Chin activist
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary
Cilla Black OBE*, Singer, TV-presenter
Dame Janet Suzman DBE, Actor
Dame Judi Dench CH, DBE, FRSA, Actor
Debbie Stothard, Altsean-Burma, The International Federation for Human Rights
Diane Abbott MP, Labour MP
Dr Cynthia Maung, Mae Tao Clinic
Fern Britton, TV-presenter
Fiona Bruce MP, Conservative MP
Fiona O’Donnell, Former Labour MP
Frances O’Grady, Trade Union Congress, General Secretary
Gillian Anderson, Actor
Hannah Bardell MP, Scottish National Party MP
Heidi Alexander MP, Labour MP
Helen Goodman MP, Labour MP
Helen Hayes MP, Labour MP
Honor Blackman, Actor
Hseng Moon, Shan Women’s Action Network
Imelda Staunton CBE, Actor
Jessica N-Hkum, Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
Jo Brand, Comedian
Jody Williams, Nobel Women’s Initiative – Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997
Julia Marip, Women’s League of Burma
Julie Walters CBE, Actor
Karin Valtersson, Burma Campaign UK
Kate Hollern MP, Labour MP
Kerry McCarthy MP, Labour MP
Khin Ohmar, Burma Partnership
Khon Ja, Kachin Peace Network
Lorraine Kelly OBE, TV-presenter
Margaret Ritchie MP, Social Democratic & Labour Party MP
Margot James MP, Conservative MP
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Actor
Marie Rimmer MP, Labour MP
Mary Creagh MP, Labour MP
Maureen Lipman CBE, Actor
Maw Moe Bu, Karenni activist
May Sabe Phyu, Kachin Peace Network
Meg Hillier MP, Labour (Co-op) MP
Moon Nay Li, Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
Naomi Long, Former Alliance MP
Naw K’Nyaw Paw, Karen Women’s Organisation
Naw Wah Ku Shee, Karen Women’s Organisation
Nicky Gavron AM, Labour London Assembly Member
Rachael Maskell MP, Labour (Co-op) MP
Ronni Ancona, Actor
Rosalinn Zahau, Chin Human Rights Organisation
Rt Hon Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Baroness Blackstone, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Baroness Corston, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Baroness Hughes of Stretford, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Labour Peer
Rt Hon Caroline A Spelman MP, Conservative MP
Rt Hon Dame Joan Ruddock, Former Labour MP
Rushanara Ali MP, Labour MP
Sandra Osborne, Former Labour MP
Sappho Dias, Burma Justice Committee
Sarah Champion MP, Labour MP
Sarah Parish, Actor
Sharon Hodgson MP, Labour MP
Sheila Reid, Actor
Soe Soe Nwe, Women’s League of Burma
Susanna Hla Hla Soe, Karen Women Empowerment Group
Tin Tin Nyo, Burmese Women’s Union
Val McDermid, Author
Valerie Vaz MP, Labour MP
Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner – Northumbria
Victoria Roberts, Chair, Burma Campaign UK
Victoria Wood CBE, Comedian
Virginia McKenna OBE, Actor
Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, Burma Campaign UK
Yasmin Qureshi MP, Labour MP
Yoko Ono, Artist
Zoë Wanamaker CBE, Actor
Zoya Phan, Burma Campaign UK
