HL Deb 15 July 1996 vol 574 cc41-2WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have about the death of Mr. James Nichols an hour after he was transferred from Rangoon's Insein prison to Rangoon General Hospital on the weekend of 21st-22nd June, following his detention in April on a charge of possessing a fax without the permission of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC); whether the UK will join in action taken by Denmark, Australia, the United States and others to persuade the Burmese authorities to hand over Mr. Nichols' body to his next of kin and to conduct a full and independent inquiry into the circumstances of his death; and whether, in the light of this tragedy, they will issue advice to British tourists who may contemplate visiting Burma about the human rights situation generally under the SLORC regime.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

According to the Burmese authorities, James Leander Nichols died on 22nd June from high blood pressure. In a statement issued together with our EU Partners on 5th July we urged the Burmese authorities to provide a full and satisfactory explanation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Nichols. The statement also called for an investigation by the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Burma. We shall consider possible further action in the light of the response of the Burmese authorities.

The Government have no plans to change the current practice of travel advice, which is to inform potential visitors of the safety aspects of travel to the country concerned.