§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made representations to the government of Burma (Myanmar) to ensure access by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner to James Mawdsley in prison so as to access and treat injuries reportedly sustained during recent severe beatings. [HL3894]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)As soon as we discovered James had been beaten, our Ambassador protested to the Burmese authorities. I also took immediate action and summoned the Burmese Ambassador on 27 September. We asked the Burmese authorities for the doctor from the Australian Embassy to be given immediate access to James to assess his medical condition. These representations were followed up when our Ambassador called on the Director General of Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 October. We will continue to make representations until James is seen by the Australian doctor.
§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the Burmese government following the beating of James Mawdsley by Burmese prison officials; what is known of his physical condition; what progress is being made in processing his appeal against 28WA sentence; and what further action they intend to take to secure his release. [HL3895]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalAs soon as we discovered James had been beaten, our Ambassador protested in the strongest terms to the Burmese authorities. I also took immediate action and summoned the Burmese Ambassador on 27 September to protest at this blatant abuse of human rights. We demanded either James' immediate release or his transfer to a prison in Rangoon. These representations were followed up when our Ambassador called on the Director General of ConsularAffairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 October.
When our Vice-Consul in Rangoon visited James on 26 September, she reported that James had two very bruised black eyes and a suspected broken nose. We have asked the Burmese authorities for the doctor from the Australian Embassy to be given immediate access to James to assess his medical condition.
James's latest application for an appeal hearing at the High Court in Mandalay was dismissed on 19 August. Our consular staff obtained the necessary court judgments and passed these to James's lawyer on 29 September. James is now preparing to submit an application for a special appeal.
We will continue to seek a response from the Burmese to our request for James's immediate release or his transfer to a prison in Rangoon. I will not hesitate to call in the Burmese Ambassador again if the need arises.