Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Burmese army officers from 88 Division have arrested and tortured the following villagers: Ta Agok, Kun Aik Hsay, Aung Than, Aiklon Kyan Aye, Aik Nyan Kar, Aik Ngay, Aik Naing Aung, Aik Yaing Ton; and whether they have plans to raise the matter with the government of Burma.

We are concerned by reports of ongoing conflict and allegations of human rights violations in northern Shan State between the Burmese army and armed ethnic groups. We continue to closely monitor the situation and to raise our concerns about human rights abuses in conflict areas with the Burmese government and military.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), met members of the Shan community during his visit to Burma in January. Diplomats in Rangoon, including the British Ambassador, are in regular contact with ethnic representatives, including those based in Thailand. We have consistently called for a nationwide ceasefire, which will move to political dialogue.