Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 January 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 2009. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Thursday, 12 February 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Burma: Christianity

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of (a) closures of churches in Burma and (b) the treatment of Christians in that country; what recent representations he has made to the government of Burma on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: We are concerned that the Burmese regime has imposed restrictions on churches and other places of worship for religious minorities in Rangoon. We condemn the marginalisation or persecution of any community based on their religious beliefs. We also remain concerned about reports that the mainly Buddhist Burmese authorities restrict freedom of religion. There are Christians among a variety of ethnic groups in Burma, though their persecution by the authorities appears to be based largely on their ethnicity rather than their faith.The regime's actions are part of a wider deterioration of the human rights situation in Burma and the UK will continue to ask the UN Secretary-General's Good Offices mission and representatives of the UN human rights bodies to raise our concerns with the State Peace and Development Council.

Secondary information