Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL3548):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reported military attacks on Chin civilians and churches in Myanmar; and what discussions they have had with the government of Myanmar about such reports. (HL3548)
Tabled on: 01 November 2021
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The UK is deeply concerned about the situation in Chin state, particularly the significant troop movements by the Myanmar Armed Forces and reports of multiple civilian casualties. On 15 October, the British Embassy in Yangon released a statement urging the military to end their campaign of violence and flagging our concern for communities, their livelihoods, property and places of worship. On 29 October, the Minister for Asia tweeted her concern about the burning of homes and churches in Thantlang, Chin State. Current clashes have created mass displacement, with people now fleeing across the Indian border into Manipur and Mizoram state. This not only exacerbates the crisis in Myanmar but causes further regional instability. We are monitoring developments closely and convened a UNSC meeting on the 8th of November to discuss these issues. Following the meeting we secured a press statement from the Council condemning recent violence and calling for the protection of civilians.
Date and time of answer: 15 Nov 2021 at 16:47.
