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390294

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma: Defence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Burmese counterpart on that country's increased spending on its military.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	7225
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2015 answer text <p>While I have not discussed the rise in spending on Burmese military with my counterpart specifically, the level of spending on the military in Burma is of concern. The main focus of our engagement with the Burmese military is on their adherence to the core principles of democratic accountability, international law and human rights, and I have raised these issues on numerous occasions, including with the Commander-in-Chief directly in January 2014.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 21/07/2015 10:19:37 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire previous answer version 16145 answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

227812

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma: Rohingya
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken in response to the Burmese government's refusal to investigate possible violations of international law in relation to the Rohingya in Burma.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	227886
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Rakhine State. Our approach is to seek an end to all human rights violations by encouraging a resolution of the underlying tensions. We have also made clear to the government of Burma that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with through a clear, independent and transparent investigative and prosecutorial process that meets international standards. This call was repeated in a UK co-sponsored Resolution in the UN General Assembly in November 2014. We have also put on record our view that an independent investigation, supported by appropriate technical assistance, would make a significant contribution to accountability and reconciliation. <br><br>We worked with international partners to develop a strong country resolution on Burma at the UN Human Rights Council in March last year, which calls on the Burmese government to tackle the situation in Rakhine and renewed the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma. We welcome her recent report and its constructive recommendations on Rakhine.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 24/03/2015 15:51:35 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

78474

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with the government of Burma reported threats that ethnic Rohingya identifying themselves as such in the census could face arrest.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	206292
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p>We have not received reports of anyone facing arrest for identifying themselves as Rohingya in Burma’s census; the enumeration period is now over. However, we were deeply disappointed that during the census the Burmese government went against its long-standing assurance that all individuals would have the right to self-identify their ethnic origin. We have been clear that this decision is in contravention of international norms and standards on census conduct. I discussed our concerns on the census with the senior Burmese minister responsible, Immigration Minister U Khin Yi, in March, and summoned the Burmese Ambassador in April. <br> <br>The UK, UN and other donors have been in dialogue with the Burmese government and community groups throughout the preparation, enumeration and now the data analysis and dissemination stages of the census. We have been absolutely clear that we want to see as peaceful, credible and complete a process as possible, with the anticipated risks carefully managed.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 21/07/2014 14:21:51 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

510404

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Human Rights
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made on implementation of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 on Sri Lanka.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	904421
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/04/2016 answer text <p>Sri Lanka has made encouraging progress towards fulfilling its commitments to UNHRC Resolution 30/1 but we recognise there remains much to be done. We look forward to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ assessment of progress at the next Human Rights Council in June.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 12/04/2016 16:00:39 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

519171

	registered interest
	date	18/05/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Sri Lanka: War Crimes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the President of Sri Lanka on (a) the implementation of UN Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and (b) the involvement of foreign judges and prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of war crimes during the Sri Lankan civil war since the last ministerial visit to Sri Lanka.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford North
	tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
	uin	37289
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2016 answer text <p>We regularly discuss progress and developments in Sri Lanka with the government, including on UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution 30/1. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) did so when he met President Sirisena on 12 May and our High Commissioner to Sri Lanka did so on 10 May. I also discussed this with the Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Samaraweera when I visited Sri Lanka in January. We encourage the government to implement fully its commitments to the UNHRC resolution on reconciliation, accountability and human rights, and look forward to the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ assessment of Sri Lanka’s progress in June.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 23/05/2016 16:46:59 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

228142

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent crackdown on protesting students in Burma for the credibility of Burma's reform process; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall South
	tabling member printed	Valerie Vaz
	uin	228033
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>We have made clear our concern about the use of force by police in Letpadan on 10 March and the use of irregular security groups in Rangoon on 5 March. These events undermined an otherwise disciplined approach to the policing of student protests over several weeks, and demonstrated the need for further policing reform. <br><br>More broadly, Burma is moving from decades of authoritarian government to a more democratic system. Such a complicated transition will of course not be quick or easy and will require significant reform in all of its institutions, not least the police. The UK will continue to engage as appropriate to encourage this reform.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 23/03/2015 15:32:12 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4076 label Biography information for Valerie Vaz

176447

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom's Report, Burma: Religious Freedom and Related Human Rights Violations are Hindering Broader Reforms, published in November 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall South
	tabling member printed	Valerie Vaz
	uin	222458
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p>We share the Commission’s concerns on freedom of religion in Burma, the situation of the Rohingya, the rise in hate speech and the draft faith-based legislation, along with how these are affecting Burma’s reform process. We have raised our concerns in detail on the proposed so-called ‘protection of race and religion’ laws both bilaterally and in company with our partners in the European Union. We work closely with civil society on these issues in Burma, particularly during our visits to Rakhine state, where the UK is one of the largest bilateral donors of humanitarian assistance. Our Annual Report on Human Rights details the full range of our concerns, and the actions we are taking to address them.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 04/02/2015 14:49:10 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4076 label Biography information for Valerie Vaz

175257

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support the establishment of an independent, international inquiry to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rakhine State, Burma.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall South
	tabling member printed	Valerie Vaz
	uin	221792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by intercommunal violence in Burma, particularly in Rakhine State. While levels of violence have not been repeated on the same scale as in 2012, the situation remains fragile and sensitive. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations by encouraging a resolution of the underlying problems and de-escalating tensions. We have made clear to the government of Burma that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with through a clear, independent and transparent investigative and prosecutorial process that meets international standards. We have also put on record our view that an independent investigation, supported by appropriate technical assistance, would make a significant contribution to accountability and reconciliation.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 14:54:14 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4076 label Biography information for Valerie Vaz

166558

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the Legal Memorandum: War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in Eastern Myanmar published by the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School in November 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall South
	tabling member printed	Valerie Vaz
	uin	216319
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2014 answer text <p>The findings of the Harvard Law School report are of serious concern. A judgement on whether war crimes or crimes against humanity have been committed is a matter for the courts, but we remain committed to the principle of accountability for all crimes through an independent and transparent judicial process. <br><br>Our wider priority is for a permanent solution to the conflicts in Burma. We are encouraging this by funding experts with experience of the peace process in Northern Ireland to support the peacemaking dialogue in Burma.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 03/12/2014 13:04:24 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4076 label Biography information for Valerie Vaz

166323

	registered interest
	date	26/11/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Burma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Burmese government on its decision not to change the constitution of that country until after the general election in 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall South
	tabling member printed	Valerie Vaz
	uin	216157
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>Changing Burma's 2008 constitution to enshrine equal rights for all will be crucial for Burma's future stability. The UK is one of the leading international proponents of such change. Changes to many parts of the constitution are ultimately a matter for the people of Burma to decide directly by referendum. Ministers regularly raise the issue of constitutional change with their Burmese counterparts. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) discussed Burma's constitution with President Thein Sein when they met at the G20 Summit in Brisbane.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 01/12/2014 17:54:45 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4076 label Biography information for Valerie Vaz