Senate Women Unite Against Burma

In light of renewed fighting in Burma, also known as Myanmar, women Senators from across the aisle demanded, Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton pressure the Bhurmese Government to cease the use of rape as a weapon of war.

The U.S. Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma sent the letter that provided a glaring look into the unease and oppressive Burmese regime. Although sustained ceasefires throughout the country encouraged peace, in some cases for 22 years, the Bhurmese military recently renewed attempts at ethnic cleansing. Among the tactics most commonly used are rape.

Reportedly, the Burmese military gang-raped 18 women in the Kachin Province within the first 8 days of renewed fighting.

According to a press release, the Senators wrote, “Given the Burmese regime’s unabated use of rape as a weapon of war, we urge you to call on the regime to end this practice and pursue our shared goal of establishing an international Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Every female Senator signed the letter.