HC Deb 12 November 2003 vol 413 cc356-7W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with United Nations partners on the Burmese Government's atrocities against the(a) Karen, (b) Karenni and (c) Shan people; and what evidence he has collated on crimes against humanity committed in Burma. [135919]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

There is no doubt that appalling human rights violations have taken place in Burma over many years and that the ethnic minorities have suffered disproportionately. We regularly discuss these issues with our UN partners at the UN Commission on Human Rights and at the United Nations General Assembly.

We do not currently have independent verification of crimes against humanity in Burma. However, we receive regular reports from the UN's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, the British embassy in Rangoon, and International Non Government Organisations detailing human rights abuses in Burma.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Government has raised concerns with Burma's regime regarding the Burmese military's atrocities against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [135920]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We regularly raise human rights abuses, including those against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people, with the Burmese regime.

Concern over the treatment of ethnic groups in Burma was raised (with the Burmese) at the UN Commission on Human Rights in April 2003 and in last November's UN General Assembly resolution on Burma. Human Rights abuses against the ethnic nationalities were also highlighted by the EU when it strengthened the EU Common Position on Burma earlier this year.