Burma: Internet

(asked on 4th July 2019) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for human rights in parts of Myanmar of a reported block on internet access in that country.


Answered by
Andrew Murrison Portrait
Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This question was answered on 11th July 2019

The UK is deeply concerned by the shutdown of mobile data services to eight townships in Rakhine and one in neighbouring Chin state. We are particularly concerned that the shutdown has taken place in parts of Rakhine where there are already significant restrictions on international access. We are clear that denying access to mobile data services restricts the right to freedom of expression and the ability to share reports of human rights violations. Embassy officials have raised our concerns with the Myanmar government. We continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the Myanmar government to restore mobile internet access to the affected townships.

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