§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government are doing(a) to help relocate Burmese people who have been internally displaced and (b) to restore democracy in Burma. [45075]
§ Clare ShortThe UK contributes to the costs of providing safe refuge and assistance both for refugees and those internally displaced within Burma. In 2001–02 my Department increased funding to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (£805,000), the Burmese Border Consortium (£350,000) and the International Commission of the Red Cross (£800,000) to support their work with refugees on the Thai/Burma border and those internally displaced.
The UK has long been at the forefront of the international community's efforts to bring about national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. With EU partners we have adopted a Common Position which includes an arms embargo, a ban on high level visits, on items that might be used for torture, and on non-humanitarian assistance, a visa ban and an asset freeze on members of the regime. The EC has also suspended Burma's trading privileges in response to the use of forced labour in Burma. We are also active in the United Nations, co-sponsoring resolutions at UNGA and UNHCR and actively supporting the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Burma's effort to facilitate political progress. An EU Troika visited Burma 19–22 March to gauge the latest political developments and press for progress to be made.