Burma (Hansard, 30 June 2003)

§ Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recent British policy on Burma, with particular regard to improving the Burmese human rights record. [121354]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
The UK annually co-sponsors resolutions on the human rights situation in Burma at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights. The UK also supported the EU Common Position on Burma which is designed to encourage national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. Last year there were some very modest improvements in limited60W areas of human rights in Burma. There has also been an increase in co-operation between the Burmese regime and the International Labour Organisation, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, though this has yet to be translated into substantive improvements in human rights.
As highlighted by the terrible events of 30 May, the overall human rights situation in Burma remains extremely poor and a matter of grave concern. The UK will continue to maintain pressure on the regime to improve the human rights situation in Burma.

§ Vera Baird
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on strengthening the EU sanctions against Burma; and what his policy is on the UK introducing unilateral sanctions. [121758]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
On 16 June, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to strengthen further the EU Common Position on Burma. FCO Ministers and officials remain in regular contact with EU partners to ensure that pressure on the Burmese regime to move irreversibly towards democracy and respect for human rights is maintained and increased.
Due to existing UK and EU policy, our economic, trading and diplomatic links with the Burmese regime are very limited. Further multilateral action against the Burmese regime would therefore be far more effective than unilateral action. We are currently pursuing with EU colleagues what additional action we might take.

§ Vera Baird
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the issue of assaults on democracy and human rights in Burma at the UN Security Council. [121759]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
We are in discussions with partners in the Security Council to determine whether the Security Council can consider the issue of Burma. HMG is encouraging all the appropriate bodies of the UN to tackle the issue of helping bring about national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma.

§ Vera Baird
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on how many people have been killed in the recent action by the Burmese junta on members and supporters of the National League for Democracy; and how many people are in prison. [121760]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
It is not known exactly how many people were killed or imprisoned in the recent crackdown by the Burmese regime. Credible reports indicate that more than four people, as reported by the Burmese authorities, were killed and that approximately 100 others have been detained.

§ Lady Hermon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government regarding the detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; and if he will make a statement. [121916]
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§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
The UK has made numerous representations to the Burmese authorities concerning the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I have spoken to the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister and the Burmese Ambassador to register the UK's grave concern over the unacceptable violence and repression that has been inspired, organised and carried out by the Burmese regime. This has been supplemented by representations by the British Embassy in Rangoon, FCO Officials, as well as by statements on behalf of the European Union, including the European Council statement on Burma of 16 June 2003 that announced the introduction of further European Union sanctions against the Burmese regime.

§ Mr. Tynan
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the treatment by the Burmese authorities of members of(a) the Shan and (b) other minority groups, with particular reference to women. [122130]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
United Nations resolutions over many years have consistently assessed Burma's human rights record as being very poor. Human rights violations are widespread and systemic and the ethnic minorities, including the Shan, suffer disproportionately. Women are particularly vulnerable and there are many credible reports documenting the use of rape by members of the Burmese armed forces against women in Shan State.

§ Mr. Best
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will introduce sanctions unilaterally against Burma if agreement cannot be reached at European Union Level. [122185]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
Due to existing UK and EU policy, our economic, trading and diplomatic links with the Burmese regime are very limited. Multilateral action against the Burmese regime is therefore far more effective than unilateral action. We are currently pursuing with EU colleagues what additional action we might take.

§ Mr. Best
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if European Union representations to the United Nations Security Council regarding the political situation in Burma will include concerns about the plight of the(a) Karen, (b) Karenni and (c) Shan minorities. [122186]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
The United Nations Security Council has not formally considered the issue of Burma. However, we are in discussions with Security Council Partners to help bring this about. Should Burma feature on the Security Council agenda, HMG would ensure that the plight of Burma's ethnic minority groups was taken fully into account.

§ Mr. Tynan:>
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the levels of opium production in Burma; and what reports he has received of (a) state and (b) military complicity in such production. [122175]

§ Mr. Best
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of links between the Burmese Government arid the(a) production of and (b) trade in opium. [122187]
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§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
Burma is the world's second largest producer of opium. There are credible reports that some production and trafficking of opium from Burma is carried out with the knowledge of members of the Burmese armed forces. But it is not clear how much the senior levels of the Burmese authorities know about this. However they are certainly culpable for not doing more to effectively address the problem.

§ Mr. Best
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support the imposition of additional targeted EU(a) economic and (b) diplomatic sanctions against the Burmese government. [122188]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
We have long been at the forefront of EU action to maintain and increase targeted pressure on the Burmese regime. The EU Common Position was further strengthened on 16 June 2003 and we are currently pursuing with EU colleagues what additional economic and diplomatic action is required to ensure that national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy is soon possible in Burma.

§ Mr. Best
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with other EU foreign ministers about the political situation in Burma. [122189]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
On 16 June; EU Foreign Ministers agreed to strengthen further the EU Common Position on Burma. FCO Ministers and officials remain in regular contact with EU and other partners around the world to ensure that pressure on the Burmese regime to move irreversibly towards democracy and respect for human rights is maintained and increased.