Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 November 2005. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Thursday, 17 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Burma

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Burmese Government's decision to move the seat of government from Rangoon to Pyinmana; what response he plans to make to this decision; what discussions he has had with other Governments concerning this decision; and what steps he plans to take to support human rights in Burma.

Answer: Diplomatic missions in Rangoon were formally notified of the Burmese authorities' decision to relocate the seat of administration to Pyinmana on 7 November. The State Peace and Development Council claims that moving to a more central location will enable the Government to carry out the development of the whole nation more effectively. Although it is too early to assess the full impact of the move, we are in close touch with international partners in Rangoon over these developments.We are actively working with our European and international partners, as well as through the United Nations and its agencies, to press the Burmese authorities to end their appalling human rights violations and to engage in a genuine process of national reconciliation involving all political parties and ethnic groups in Burma.We regularly raise our concerns over human rights with the Burmese authorities, most recently when our ambassador in Rangoon met the Burmese Foreign and Labour Ministers on 31 October.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 28479; 439 c1479W;439 c1483W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Burma
Thursday, 9 February 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Human rights Politics and government Location Myanmar
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk