Written question asked by Maria Fyfe (Labour) on Thursday, 3 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 February 2000. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 February 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of ethnic cleansing by the SPDC of minority groups in areas of Burma closed to monitors for security reasons.

Answer: Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of ethnic cleansing by the SPDC of minority groups in areas of Burma closed to monitors for security reasons. [109095] Mr. Battle: We continue to receive disturbing reports of human rights violations against ethnic minorities from many parts of Burma. These violations include arbitrary killings, rape, torture, mass arrests, forced labour and forced relocations. We take every opportunity to condemn these violations: for example, the UK co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution adopted last November which contains strong condemnation of the appalling catalogue of human rights violations in Burma, including against ethnic minorities. We continue to make regular representations to the regime on this issue.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 344 c177-8W; 109095
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Human rights Ethnic groups Minority groups Myanmar Ethnic cleansing