Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will make representations to the UN's Security Council on introducing a resolution that calls for an end to the military campaign and violence in Rakhine State and demands (a) immediate and unimpeded access for international humanitarian organisations to populations in need in Rakhine State, (b) immediate and unhindered access for international monitors and journalists to Rakhine State, (c) access by the UN mandated fact-finding mission to Myanmar to carry out its work unhindered, by providing visas to the members of the mission and full access for the mission to meet civilian and military officials and (d) the Myanmar authorities return all Rohingya refugees and displaced people to their homes and places of origin in Myanmar safely, voluntarily and with dignity.

We have raised Burma three times at the UN Security Council since 25 August. This has delivered a clear message from the international community that the Burmese authorities must urgently protect civilians, allow refugees to return and allow full humanitarian access. We are now discussing further Security Council action with fellow members.

The UK is using all available channels to emphasise the urgent need for humanitarian organisations to be able to work safely in northern and central Rakhine and meet the immense needs on the ground. The Red Cross in Burma is currently the only aid organisation permitted to provide humanitarian support in northern Rakhine. The UK has provided £1 million to support its operation.

We have been clear with the Burmese authorities there must now be unhindered access to Rakhine State for humanitarian organisations as well as UN observers and journalists. While we welcome recent access for media and diplomats to Rakhine State, we ​continue to urge the Burmese authorities and the military particularly to allow greater access.

We have also been clear with the Burmese authorities that they should enable full access for the UN Fact Finding Mission. At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in September, we supported the decision to extend to September 2018 the mandate of the Mission to look into serious human rights concerns in Rakhine. Along with international partners, we will continue to press the Burmese government to allow access for the Mission.

The voluntary and safe return of refugees is a central part of the ongoing discussions we are engaged in at the UN Security Council. The Burmese and Bangladeshi authorities are discussing a refugee return process. We are pressing both governments to agree this quickly and ensure it will be implemented in a manner consistent with the UN principles of voluntary and safe return.