Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the environmental situation in Myanmar on human rights in that country; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the demand for rare earths from Myanmar on the conflict and human rights and humanitarian crisis in that country.

The UK is concerned by reports of "in-situ leaching" of rare earths in Myanmar, which is associated with considerable environmental damage locally and further afield as leaching chemicals enter river systems. Reports of forced displacement around mining operations are equally concerning. All actors in Myanmar have a responsibility to respect human rights, including by protecting the environment. Our Overseas Business Risk Guidance makes clear that UK businesses procuring natural resources in Myanmar should conduct thorough supply chain due diligence to ensure that their intended activities do not contravene sanctions prohibitions and restrictions and that they are not supporting the military or its associated businesses. The UK has sanctioned a number of State Owned Entities involved in extractive industries in Myanmar including Myanmar Mining Enterprise 1 and 2 and the Myanmar Timber Enterprise.