The British House of Lords is taking action to respond to continuing human rights abuses in Burma.

The Burma Justice Committee will explore possibilities of providing legal help to victims of repression and their families. In its first official act, the newly formed committee presented petitions to the United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, on behalf of three Burmese prisoners currently detained by the junta.

According to a member, the Burma Justice Committee will work for the restoration of the rule of law within Burma. Being comprised of lawyers, parliamentarians and other representatives, it “will be able to draw on a wide range of legal expertise with experienced barristers and other lawyers in a range of disciplines to assist victims and their families.”

Furthermore, it will also examine available steps which can be taken to hold the military government accountable for its human rights abuses.