Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to incorporate discussion of torture, sexual violence and other war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations in the military training provided to the Burma Army by the UK.

UK provision of Defence training to the Burma Army is limited to non combat related academic courses. English Language training is delivered in country by the British Council and a course entitled “Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context” (MDWSC) has also been provided. The MDWSC covers the UK model of democratic accountability, the importance of good governance in Defence and the significance of professionalism in a nation's Armed Forces. In the case of Burma, this includes the conduct and accountability of Service personnel and human rights issues.