§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether EU sanctions against the Burmese junta will be linked to the atrocities committed by the regime against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people. [123346]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWhen the EU Common Position on Burma was strengthened and updated in April 2003, the plight of the ethnic minorities were specifically mentioned in the EU Council Conclusions. Should the EU agree more sanctions against Burma, the Government would ensure that the plight of Burma's ethnic minority groups was fully taken into account.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of human rights abuses committed by the Burmese military junta against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people. [123730]
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§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 4 July 2003]: Regrettably, we have not seen any substantive improvement in the overall human rights situation in Burma. The Karen, Karenni and Shan have suffered disproportionately. While the military authorities have allowed a delegation from Amnesty International to visit Burma, this has not led to an improvement in the human rights situation. I am especially concerned about the situation in light of recent arrests and detentions in Burma. We will continue to press bilaterally with the Burmese regime and in international fora for a rapid improvement in the situation.