The Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP
Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
Date: April 16th 2013
Dear Hugo,
I am writing to you to express my concern, and that of my constituents, about the current crisis suffered by the Kachin community, an ethnic minority group living in northern Burma (Myanmar).
As I am sure you are aware, since the Burmese Army broke a ceasefire in 2011 severe human rights abuses have been committed against the Kachin people by the military, including the use of rape as a weapon of war and the planting of landmines. More than 100,000 people are thought to have been displaced, and there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
There is cross-party support for Early Day Motion 909, a copy of which is attached for ease of reference and which notes the escalation of this conflict; calls on the Government to condemn this military offensive; and highlights the need to provide support for the Kachin people. There is also widespread concern about this situation among people in the UK.
I support and appreciate the action the Government have already taken, including raising this issue at the Human Rights Council of the UN and pressing for humanitarian access. However, I agree with constituents who argue that the Government needs to take further action, including increasing assistance to the Kachin people via local organisations and working within the EU to ensure the continuation of economic sanctions if military attacks do not cease.
I would be grateful if you would inform me what further steps the Government is intending to take to help protect the Kachin people.
Yours sincerely,
Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion
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