Burma: Prisoners
(asked on 14th October 2015) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken, and will be taken, to secure the release of Phil Blackwood and his colleagues; and what representations have been made to the authorities in Burma.
This question was answered on 29th October 2015
Mr Blackwood entered Burma on his New Zealand passport. For consular purposes, the Burmese authorities therefore consider him to be a national of New Zealand, and the New Zealand authorities have taken the lead on Mr Blackwood’s case and keeping his immediate family in New Zealand updated. We are working closely with the New Zealand government and await the outcome of Mr Blackwood’s appeal. We cannot interfere in the legal process of another country, however, our Ambassador in Burma raised the case in December last year with the Minister for the Presidency. My Rt Hon Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) met Mr Blackwood's cousin on 19 October and we will make further representations as appropiate.
Mr Blackwood entered Burma on his New Zealand passport. For consular purposes, the Burmese authorities therefore consider him to be a national of New Zealand, and the New Zealand authorities have taken the lead on Mr Blackwood’s case and keeping his immediate family in New Zealand updated. We are working closely with the New Zealand government and await the outcome of Mr Blackwood’s appeal. We cannot interfere in the legal process of another country, however, our Ambassador in Burma raised the case in December last year with the Minister for the Presidency. My Rt Hon Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) met Mr Blackwood's cousin on 19 October and we will make further representations as appropiate.