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31 May 2018
Baroness Cox (crossbench) posed questions to the UK Government about recent arrests during peaceful protests in Yangon, and the escalated conflict in Kachin and Shan States. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) responded.
Question 1:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Burma regarding the recent escalation of military violence against civilians in Kachin and Shan states; and what efforts they have made to ensure the protection of civilians displaced by conflict.
Citation: HL7885
Answer 1 (Lord Ahmad):
The British Ambassador to Burma raised the UK’s deep concerns about the treatment of civilians in Kachin State during the current military offensive in a meeting with the Commander in Chief of Burma’s military on 3 May In a statement on 11 May, the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific also expressed concern about the latest military offensive in Kachin. He called on the Burmese military to fulfil its duty to respect international humanitarian law, ensure access for humanitarian organisations and allow the 2,000 civilians trapped by the fighting to leave to safe areas. He also called on all parties to the conflict to cease fighting, protect civilians, and return fully to peace talks.
Question 2:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the policing of peaceful protests in Yangon, Burma, on 12 May; and what efforts have been made to ensure the release of those detained during those protests.
Answer 2 (Lord Ahmad):
We are concerned by the arrest in Rangoon on 12 May of peaceful demonstrators calling for an end to fighting in Kachin, and the violence they were subjected to. On 14 May the Minister for Asia and the Pacific urged the Burmese authorities to drop the charges against the demonstrators, and withdraw legislation limiting peaceful assembly. We urge the government to investigate those responsible for the violence.
Citation: HL7886
Want to find out more about the recent escalation of violence in Kachin and Shan states? Click here
You can see all of Baroness Cox’s written questions and answers here
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