HC Deb 01 March 1999 vol 326 cc599-600W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the situation of the Karen people in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [72951]

Mr. Fatchett

The Burmese military regime's record of human rights abuses against ethnic minorities, including the Karen, is appalling. These include forced labour, forced repatriation, killings and torture. Many Karen have fled to neighbouring Thailand: there are over 80,000 in refugee camps in the border area. The UK urges the Burmese regime to stop all human rights abuses and to enter into dialogue with the democratic opposition, including ethnic minorities.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the Karen people in Burma. [72950]

Mr. Fatchett

The Government have received many representations from non-governmental organisations lobbying on the plight of Burmese ethnic minorities including the Karen; and from Members of Parliament and members of the public expressing concern at human rights abuses in Burma, including those against the Karen.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma concerning its treatment of the Karen people. [72949]

Mr. Fatchett

The Burmese military regime are well aware of our deep concerns about the plight of Burmese ethnic minorities, including the Karen. We take every opportunity, both in international forums such as the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and through our Embassy in Rangoon, to raise our concerns.

Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Myanmar about human rights, specifically in respect of the Karen people; what further action he intends taking; if he will arrange for EU foreign ministers to consider this matter; and if he will make a statement. [73488]

Mr. Fatchett

We take every opportunity to raise with the Burmese regime our concerns about their appalling human rights record, particularly against ethnic minorities. We support action within international forums; we support the efforts of the UN to bring about an improvement in Burma; we co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution on Burma last December; we, with our EU Partners, are working towards a tough resolution at the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights; and we expect Burma to be on the agenda of the forthcoming ILO session. EU Member States have taken strong action to bring pressure to bear on the Burmese regime in the form of a Common Position first adopted in 1996 and strengthened by EU Foreign Ministers last October. We also take bilateral action: our Ambassador in Rangoon makes representations to the Burmese regime about our concerns.