The Nobel Women’s Initiative and the Women’s League of Burma jointly convened a tribunal in New York City on March 2, 2010. The tribunal heard testimony and render findings and recommendations on cases of violent abuses that women of Burma have been subjected to, at the hands of the brutal dictatorship. 12 women from Burma who have suffered rape, torture and other crimes appeared at the tribunal, sharing with the world their compelling testimonies. The stories they share represent thousands of other untold stories from across Burma – stories of fear, anguish, resistance, escape, perseverance and hope for change.

Too little is known about the situation inside Burma. The women of Burma suffer daily at the hands of the ruling military junta. Sexual violence against girls and women is rampant and at time systematic in nature. The Burmese Army commonly uses rape, forced labor, sexual assault, portering, torture, imprisonment and forced relocation against women and girls who suffer in acute silence. Despite the magnitude of the crisis inside the country, it has not yet prompted effective or meaningful change by national, regional, or international community leaders.

The tribunal is one of the first concerted global initiatives to provide a timely insight into Burma’s ongoing humanitarian crisis as well as to amplify the call to the international community to take concrete action to end the cycle of violence in the country. It served to raise international visibility on the dire conditions of women in Burma and importantly, allows the world a glimpse of their strength and courage. Their suffering may be great and the stakes high, but these women continue to fight for justice, democracy, and accountability in Burma – all while dealing with the realities of daily, gross violations of human rights.

The International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Burma was administered by high-level judges – Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi, Jody Williams, Dr. Heisoo Shin, and Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn. They provided key policy recommendations, based on the testimonies, and called on the international community to act on the human urgency in Burma.

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