Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2004 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 assessment he has made of the extent of (a) looting, (b) burning and (c) extortion by the State Peace and Development Council in Burma.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of (a) looting, (b) burning and (c) extortion by the State Peace and Development Council in Burma. [157636] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Instances of looting and burning by State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) forces or other authorities are rare in the majority of the country. However, in the areas where armed conflict continues there are numerous allegations of looting and burning of property, and other human rights abuse, by SPDC forces. We judge that some of these allegations are credible. Restrictions on travel by British embassy personnel in Rangoon makes it impossible to independently verify individual allegations. A certain level of extortion is widespread throughout the country. At the lowest and most common level it includes the extraction of small sums of money, by police and military personnel, at roadside and other checkpoints. We are aware also of frequent instances where `contributions' to local projects, entertainment for VIP guests, additional charges for electricity and other services, etc. are extracted from householders under threat of jail sentences or other punishment, by civilian authorities. Within conflict affected areas there are reports of threats and extortion being used, by military and anti- SPDC forces, to extract food, labour, information and other assistance from local villagers.

Secondary information