Oral Answers to Questions

Carol Monaghan Excerpts
Tuesday 4th September 2018

(5 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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I very much welcome my hon. Friend’s experience of the region. Obviously that would be a matter for Parliament to decide, but it is very important that in all our dealings with the Burmese regime they understand that a line has been crossed. It is also important to update the House on the fact that a great deal has happened over the summer months, including an EU decision, which the UK was instrumental in making happen, to impose sanctions on seven individuals in the Burmese military. Much more now needs to be done.

Carol Monaghan Portrait Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)
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It was a shock to read reports of the jailing of two Reuters journalists in Burma who had been instrumental in reporting the Rohingya massacre. What representations has the Secretary of State made to the Burmese Government on the importance of press freedom?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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The two journalists were doing what is in the very best traditions of all journalism: exposing evil and bad things that Governments do not want exposed. We are very concerned, and I want to visit Burma/Myanmar to talk about all these issues and will certainly raise the issue with the Burmese authorities.