To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Karen Women's Organisation Walking Amongst Sharp Knives about alleged human rights abuses against Karen women village chiefs in eastern Burma. [HL2818]

This report documents horrific abuses against women in Karen State, and reflects the environment in many parts of Burma where individual rights and rule of law are not respected. Officials from our embassy in Rangoon are not permitted access to the areas highlighted in the report, but through the Department for International Development and embassy-funded programmes, we provide significant support to vulnerable communities in Karen State and along the Thai Burma Border. We continue to urge the Burmese authorities to respect human rights and begin an inclusive and credible transition to democracy

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Bangladesh over the recent arrests and forced displacements of Rohingya refugees; and whether they have asked Bangladesh to recognise undocumented Rohingya refugees. [HL2820]

We are concerned by the recent reports by Medecins Sans Frontieres and Physicians for Human Rights on the situation facing displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh. We have raised the plight of the Rohingyas and their status with the Government of Bangladesh, both bilaterally and in concert with EU partners.

Officials from our High Commission in Dhaka, including the high commissioner, have visited the camps for displaced Rohingyas, which are run by UN agencies. We are also supporting the European Commission and UN programmes for Rohingyas through the UK's core funding to the EU and the UN. In 2009, the Government also funded a British Council project to train English teachers within the camps.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relocation of 15,000 civilians by the Government of Burma for the Myitsone dam construction in Kachin State. [HL2821]

We are concerned about the impact of the construction of the Myitsone Dam on the environment and the human rights of local people. Officials from our embassy in Rangoon have visited the dam site on several occasions, most recently in January 2010. We understand that local people have been told to leave the area, although have so far refused to do so. Our embassy in Rangoon is supporting work to assess the social and environmental impact of this and other dam projects.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether North Korea is supplying arms to Burma. [HL2823]

We are aware of recent media reporting suggesting North Korea and Burma are engaged in illicit arms trading. The UK continues to urge all countries, including Burma, to respect their obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 which prohibit the export from North Korea of “all arms and related material”.