• In March, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tom?s Ojea Quintana said that the ?gross and systematic? human rights abuses in Burma ?were the result of state policy? and recommended that the UN consider establishing a Commission of Inquiry. • Following Ojea Quintana?s recommendation, Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, the US, Canada, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland endorsed the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry on crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. EU and Indonesian MPs also have endorsed the creation of a Commission of Inquiry as well. • Since the publication of the SPDC election laws in March, the regime continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity. These grave human rights violations underscore the urgent need for a Commission of Inquiry. • A Commission of Inquiry, in addition to opening a door for victims? rights to truth and justice, also has a preventive value to discourage more crimes from being perpetrated. • In the six-month period between March and August 2010, the following SPDC war crimes/crimes against humanity were documented: **At least 15 extrajudicial killings. **Systematic use of forced labor in ethnic areas. ** Six hundred people were forcibly displaced in military attacks that targeted civilians. ** At least 14 people subjected to arbitrary imprisonment. ** At least eight cases of rape and sexual violence. ** Systematic persecution of Rohingya communities. ** At least two children were recruited as child soldiers, and another child was killed for resisting. • Ongoing military tensions with armed groups, including anger over disenfranchisement of some ethnic groups over the election, has increased the likelihood of escalated armed conflict and related serious crimes after the 7 November polls.