§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government about the country's procedure for trial. [157462]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe are concerned about the Burmese authorities' procedure for trial. We believe that Burmese trials continue to fall short of international fair 1093W trial standards. I regularly raise our concerns on human rights issues with the Burmese authorities, most recently when I met the Burmese ambassador on 23 February.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Burmese Government to review the sentences of those political prisoners who have been sentenced in trials which did not meet international standards of fairness; [157464]
(2) what representations he has made to the Government of Burma about the continued detention of 23 people arrested on 30 May 2003. [157724]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to fully release all political prisoners and to allow them to play an active role in national reconciliation in Burma.
We are concerned about the Burmese authorities' procedure for trial. We believe that Burmese trials continue to fall short of international fair trial standards. I regularly raise our concerns on human rights issues with the Burmese authorities, most recently when I met the Burmese ambassador on 23 February.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Burmese Government about ensuring that the National Convention incorporates extensive human rights safeguards in a new constitution for the country; [157465]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Burmese Government about the timetable for reconvening the National Convention to draft a new constitution and conduct the transition to democracy. [157623]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Burmese ambassador called on me on 23 February to discuss the State Peace and Development Council's plans to reconvene the National Convention. We had a full and frank discussion. I made clear that the National Convention should be an inclusive, transparent process with a clear timeframe. I have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to ensure that human rights in Burma are fully respected.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of access of the Rohingya people in Burma to(a) markets, (b) employment, (c) education and (d) medical care. [157472]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMany people in all parts of Burma have only limited access to employment opportunities, education, and medical care. These problems are compounded in Northern Rakhine State by the additional travel and other restrictions placed on the Rohingya people, which in some cases also limit their access to markets. We provide support to the United Nation High Commission for Refugees who are working to improve conditions in Northern Rakhine State.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of the confiscation of Rohingya land for(a) use as Burmese army camps and (b) the settlement of other people. [157473]
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§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe are aware of allegations of land confiscation but are unable to independently verify these.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the extent of the use of human minesweepers in Burma. [157629]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe are aware of allegations of instances where villagers or prisoners have been forced to assist with mine clearance, including by inappropriate and dangerous methods. The 2003 Landmine Monitor, published by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, alleges three cases of 'atrocity demining' in 2002.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the extent of the destruction of crops and food supplies by the State Peace and Development Council in Burma. [157633]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienInstances of destruction of crops and food supplies by the State Peace and Development Council forces is rare in the large parts of the country. However, there are credible reports of such activity in areas where armed conflict continues.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of(a) looting, (b) burning and (c) extortion by the State Peace and Development Council in Burma. [157636]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienInstances of looting and burning by State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) forces or other authorities are rare in the majority of the country. However, in the areas where armed conflict continues there are numerous allegations of looting and burning of property, and other human rights abuse, by SPDC forces. We judge that some of these allegations are credible. Restrictions on travel by British embassy personnel in Rangoon makes it impossible to independently verify individual allegations.
A certain level of extortion is widespread throughout the country. At the lowest and most common level it includes the extraction of small sums of money, by police and military personnel, at roadside and other checkpoints. We are aware also of frequent instances where 'contributions' to local projects, entertainment for VIP guests, additional charges for electricity and other services, etc. are extracted from householders under threat of jail sentences or other punishment, by civilian authorities.
Within conflict affected areas there are reports of threats and extortion being used, by military and anti-SPDC forces, to extract food, labour. information and other assistance from local villagers.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of deaths from the use of landmines in Burma in each of the last five years. [157641]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA reliable estimate of the number of deaths from landmines is not possible, since many deaths (as opposed to injuries which require medical treatment) are unreported and unrecorded.
1095WThe 2003 Landmine Monitor (published by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines) notes that in 2002 there were at least 114 landmine casualties reported in Burma, but only one of these, a military officer. was reported as being killed. It also notes that the number of landmine casualties appears to have been increasing in the last 5–6 years.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of internally displaced people in Burma who have died of starvation in each of the last five years. [157642]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe do not hold figures for the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Burma who have died of starvation in each of the last five years.
IDPs are largely concentrated in areas where there is continuing conflict between the State Peace and Development Council forces and forces belonging to ethnic nationality organisations Some have been forcibly relocated to 'resettlement camps and villages. Others remain in hiding in remote areas. All IDPs, particularly those hiding in the jungle, are extremely vulnerable to a range of ills—including starvation, but also to disease, lack of medical care, lack of shelter, ongoing fighting and abuse by armed forces.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had contact with the Karenni National Progressive Party; and what was discussed at that meeting. [157644]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have had no direct contact with the Karenni National Progressive Party.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Burma about the Emergency Provisions Act 1950. [157725]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienNone.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people in Karenni state who remain in need of(a) food, (b) shelter and (c) protection. [157639]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienKarenni State has an estimated population of 259,000 people. It is one of the least developed areas in Burma. There are large numbers of people who suffer from deficiencies in food, shelter and protection (as there are in other parts of Burma).
Between two thirds and three quarters of the area of the state is believed to be under the control of various armed ethnic organisations who have reached ceasefire agreements with the State Peace and Development Council. Although many problems remain in these ceasefire areas, the situation for ordinary villagers is better than in the areas where armed conflict continues.
In the areas of Karenni State where armed conflict continues, food, shelter and protection needs are particularly severe. Population displacement means that the numbers of people involved is probably considerably less than a quarter of the state's population. Among the most vulnerable are those internally displaced people who have been forced to 1096W leave their villages and who remain hiding in the jungle. Accurate estimates are hard to obtain, but their number probably reaches several thousand.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the numbers of Burmese State Peace and Development Council soldiers brought into Karenni state from Karen areas since 1 December 2003. [157640]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe are aware of reports of increased military activity in southern Karenni State since December 2003. We are also aware of reports of an associated increase in instances of human rights abuse and internally displaced people. Some estimates of numbers and disposition of troops are available. The most comprehensive of these are provided by the Karen People's Progressive Party and Karen National Union forces and publicised by groups such as the Free Burma Rangers. They state that up to 1,000 new troops have been brought into the region. Other evidence for increased activity in this area is quite strong. But independent verification of troop numbers is not possible.