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<p>During my second visit to Burma in January, I personally pressed the Burmese government
and members of the Burmese military, including the Burmese Commander in Chief, to
address our human rights concerns. I was also fortunate to visit Kachin State in January
– the first British Minister to do so since Burma gained independence. I made clear
to the government and the military that conflict should end and that there should
be unhindered humanitarian access to the areas affected. I also raised our concerns
about very serious allegations of sexual violence in conflict and the forced conscription
of child soldiers.</p><p>Whilst I did not discuss the issue of soldiers refusing orders
which could result in human rights abuses, a discussion of the nature of illegal orders
featured during the Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context course, delivered
by the UK Defence Academy in Burma in January. The 30 course participants were a mix
of mid-ranking military officers, members of the police and officials from Burma's
foreign ministry.</p>
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