RESTRICTIONS ON JOURNALISTS IN BURMA

Early day motion 57, tabled 1 June 2015 by Valerie Vaz (Labour). Signed by 51 members.

That this House deplores the restrictions recently imposed on journalists in reporting proceedings in the Burmese parliament, the Assembly of the Union; notes that the restrictions have now been lifted; believes that the reporting of parliamentary proceedings is vital for public information and to hold Members accountable; further notes the importance of the fight by John Wilkes to secure reporting of Parliament in the development of the UK's own democracy; further notes the latest report on Burma in 2015 by Human Rights Watch that highlights increasing intimidation of the media over the past year, including new restrictions on both foreign and domestic journalists; further notes the current imprisonment of 13 journalists and the shooting in October 2014 of the freelance reporter, Ko Par Gyi, by the army whilst held in custody; and calls on the Government to raise concerns about the restrictions on parliamentary reporting in Burma and to express its determination to monitor developments in media freedom in Burma in the future.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Scottish National Party 15, Liberal Democrat 5, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.