Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 28 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 March 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 March 2005 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 representations the Government has made to the Government of Burma regarding (a) persecution of the Chin people and (b) the destruction of crosses and churches in Chin state.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of Burma regarding (a) persecution of the Chin people and (b) the destruction of crosses and churches in Chin state. [219719] Mr. Alexander: I met the Burmese ambassador on 29 November 2004 and pressed for political reform, full respect for human rights and the need for all groups in Burma, including ethnic groups, to play a full part in national reconciliation. Discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious or ethnic background has been condemned in successive highly critical UK co-sponsored UN Resolutions on Burma, most recently at the UN General Assembly on 23 December 2004. The EU statement issued before the National Convention to draw up a new constitution reconvened on 17 February emphasised the need for the regime to enter into a constructive dialogue with ethnic groups to achieve lasting national reconciliation. Our ambassador in Rangoon has drawn to the attention of the Burmese Foreign Minister the serious concerns expressed by hon. Members and peers of both houses about the question of religious freedom in Burma.

Secondary information