§ Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Further to the statement by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 October (H.L. Deb., cols. 1223–1224) that the British Government will "continue to make our concerns known in Security Council discussions" about the Burmese regime "committing systematic atrocities on a daily basis", on what occasions they made representations to the United Nations Security Council during 2000; and whether they will give details of those representations. [HL4328]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Government cannot make public the details of confidential discussions with Security Council partners. But we can assure the noble Lord, Lord Moynihan, that we have made all our Security Council partners aware of our concerns.
Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:
What new policy initiatives they intend to take to "turn up the international heat on the regime in Burma" and "to make it realise that the international community will not stand idly by while that regime brings a potentially prosperous nation to its knees", as stated by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 October (H.L. Deb., col. 1224). [HL4329]
82WA
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOur policy is to press the Burmese regime at every opportunity to enter into substantive dialogue with democratic parties, including ethnic minorities, and to improve their appalling human rights record. We believe continued pressure forces the regime to take note of the international community's concerns, as witnessed by their recent release of the British prisoner, James Mawdsley. We will continue with this policy: forthcoming opportunities include the UN General Assembly resolution, the ILO Governing Body, and the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting. We also support the work of Razali Ismail in his good offices role as the UN Special Envoy for Burma.