We receive regular reports about human rights abuses in Burma, including the statement issued on 29 June by the International Committee of the Red Cross drawing attention to the Burmese regime’s persistent violations of international humanitarian law.
We agree that the human rights situation in Burma remains grave. Serious abuses continue to be committed, particularly in areas of armed conflict. The Burmese people do not enjoy the most basic of human rights, including the right to the freedom of speech and association, democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
We continue to work with our European and international partners, as well as through the UN and International Labour Organisation, to press the regime to end the human rights violations and to engage in a genuine process of national reconciliation involving all relevant parties and groups in Burma. On 27 July my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Meg Munn), discussed the situation with UN Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari, within the context of the UN Secretary-General’s good offices mandate on Burma.
We take every opportunity to raise human rights issues with the regime and remind them of their obligations to adhere to international human rights law, most recently when our ambassador in Rangoon met the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister and the Ministers of Planning and Health on 12-13 June.