Government's response to Burma Petition

The political situation in Burma has continued to be a priority for the Government and the Prime Minister personally over the last twelve months. The UK helped to secure unprecedented Security Council action on Burma in response to the violent crackdown on peaceful protests last autumn. The Council unanimously endorsed a strongly worded Presidential Statement on 11 October 2007 setting out clear expectations for progress, including the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, and the start of a genuine dialogue between the regime, opposition and ethnic groups. These demands were reaffirmed by the Security Council on 2 May 2008.

At the same time the UK supported the introduction of further EU sanctions targeting economic sectors that provide revenue to the military regime - timber, precious metals and gems. The EU has made clear its readiness to introduce further sanctions in the continued absence of progress.

Burma’s neighbours have a key role to play in encouraging political reform in the country, and the Prime Minister has raised the issue repeatedly in his discussions with Prime Minister Wen of China, PM Singh of India and other leaders in the region. He has also discussed the situation on many occasions with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whose good offices mission remains the focus of international efforts to end the appalling human rights abuses perpetrated by the regime, and start the long-overdue transition to democracy. The Government will continue to do all it can to help the people of Burma achieve the peaceful, prosperous and democratic future they deserve.

Of course, in the last 12 months the people of Burma have not only had to endure continued oppression at the hands of the military regime, but also the devastating impact of Cyclone Nargis, which hit the country in May, killing over a hundred thousand people, and leaving hundreds of thousands more homeless and destitute. The UK remains the single largest donor to the relief effort, having committed £45 million to helping those affected by the disaster.

(Official 10 Downing Street response)