§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [144489]
§ Mr. BattleThe human rights situations in Burma is appalling. We take every opportunity to condemn the whole range of violations including forced labour, the persecution of the Karen and other ethnic minorities, forced relocation, torture, rape, arbitrary killings and denial of political rights which regularly take place and to call for urgent improvement. We maintain pressure on the Burmese authorities in a variety of ways, for example through supporting a tough EU Common Position; co-sponsoring United Nations resolutions; and supporting action in the International Labour Organisation.
We do not intend to relax our international pressure for respect for democracy and human rights for the Burmese people until we see real progress.