Arakan News Agency
Critics have slammed Mr Hugo Swire MP, a junior minister in the UK’s Foreign Office, on January 15, for his failure to provide a robust response to a litany of Myanmar human rights abuses during a debate held in the British Parliament.
The UK-based NGOs Burma Campaign UK and Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK suggested the British government is more interested in doing business than raising the issue of rights abuse.
The debate, held in the House of Commons on January 14 was secured by opposition party Labour MP Mr Jonathan Ashworth and focused largely on the controversy over how the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State are treated.
However, the NGOs said they believe Mr Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office failed to accept that his approach has failed to influence the Myanmar government, and failed to announce any new initiatives.
“As a government minister he is in a position to make a real difference, to help end some of the violations which are taking place, help free political prisoners, even save lives,” wrote Mr Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK on January 15. “But instead of this, he prioritises trade deals. He must know deep down inside that what he is doing is devoid of any moral principle and justification. Does he have private moments when his conscience makes him question what he does?”
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK said in a statement January 15 that the response of Mr Swire was very disappointing, noting the UK government’s approach was not working.
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK said it has asked the British government to support UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon taking the lead in negotiating humanitarian access in Rakhine State, but Mr Swire had failed to support this, the organization said.
source : Mizzima
