§ 18. Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on behalf of the Karen people. [112886]
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§ Mr. BattleI am grateful that my hon. Friend has persistently raised the case of the Karens. I continue to receive a number of letters reflecting the great deal of interest amongst Parliamentarians and members of the public about ethnic minorities in Burma. We also receive representations from Burmese exiles and non-governmental organisations.
We continue to monitor carefully the situation of ethnic minorities in Burma and along the Thai-Burma border; and to condemn violations of their human rights at every opportunity.
§ Mr. SavidgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support Her Majesty's Government are giving in James Mawdsley's case; and if he will make a statement on the political situation in Burma. [112905]
§ Mr. BattleWe continue to do all we properly can to ensure that James's rights are respected but we cannot intervene in the Burmese judicial process just as we would not allow them to intervene in ours.
We remain appalled by the lack of democracy and human rights in Burma: we are at the forefront of international action to press the Burmese regime to improve the situation.