Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has held with regional stakeholders to help ensure the development of an effective response to Rohingya refugees displaced at sea.

The UK is clear that the Myanmar military is ultimately responsible for the mass displacement of the Rohingya, which has in turn led many to flee the camps in Bangladesh by boat. We will continue to work for a de-escalation of the current conflict in Rakhine State and a sustainable solution which allows the Rohingya to return to their homes.

The United Kingdom supports the UN's call for a regional effort to ensure the safety of the Rohingya refugees who are displaced at sea, and has held numerous discussions with regional stakeholders to seek a resolution.

On 29 May, the Minister of State for South Asia, Lord Ahmad, raised the issue with the Bangladesh High Commissioner and thanked her after the Bangladesh Navy rescued Rohingya refugees stranded at sea. The British High Commission in Dhaka have also raised the matter with the Government of Bangladesh. Officials from the British Embassy in Bangkok have discussed with the Thai Government the importance of the provision of humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas aboard vessels that enter Thai waters. Our High Commission in Kuala Lumpur continues to raise our concerns about the situation of the Rohingya community with the Malaysian Government. We continue to raise these issues with regional partners, including on how the Bali Process might play a role. The United Kingdom will continue its commitment towards protecting the Rohingya people, who are amongst the most vulnerable in the region.