Burma
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Mr Michael Weir (Angus, Scottish National Party)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Burma on the situation in Karen; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Mike O'Brien (Minister of State (Trade), Department of Trade and Industry; North Warwickshire, Labour)
We regularly press bilaterally with the Burmese regime and in international fora for a rapid improvement in the human rights situation for all the people of Burma. In April this year we co-sponsored the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights resolution on Burma which highlighted the disproportionate suffering of members of ethnic minorities, including the Karen. We will continue to put pressure on the Burmese military to move towards democracy and respect for human rights.