BURMA

Early day motion 2710, tabled 8 February 2012 by Fiona Bruce (Conservative). Signed by 74 members.

That this House welcomes the steps taken by President Thein Sein to release some political prisoners, enter into ceasefire negotiations with armed ethnic groups and allow more political space in Burma; further welcomes the visit to Burma by the Foreign Secretary and his meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; expresses continued support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma in their ongoing efforts to secure human rights and democratic reform; notes with concern that hundreds of political prisoners remain in Burma's jails, and that there has been an increase in human rights abuses in ethnic states; further notes that reforms made so far have mostly not been enshrined in law and no constitutional changes have been made; believes that international pressure has played an important role in encouraging reforms so far; and calls on the Government to ensure that EU sanctions on Burma are not relaxed prematurely before substantially more political prisoners are released, conflict isended and there is an inclusive dialogue process to secure further and irreversible reform.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Liberal Democrat 21, Conservative 10, Scottish National Party 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, DUP 2, Green 1, Independent 1.