Burma: Elections and Human Rights

(asked on 17th November 2025) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and (2) the outgoing and incoming chairs of ASEAN, namely the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines, regarding the human rights situation in Burma, and the forthcoming elections proposed by the government of Burma.


Answered by
Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait
Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Minister of State (Development)
This question was answered on 1st December 2025

We continue to support the aspirations of the people of Myanmar for a peaceful, democratic future. Any meaningful election needs to be accompanied by an end to violence, a resumption of dialogue among all parties concerned, and must also address the urgent need to allow access for humanitarian assistance, to end human rights violations, and reverse the collapse of public services. We will continue to engage international partners, including ASEAN and at the UN Security Council, on the challenges facing people in Myanmar. On 19 November at the UN Third Committee meeting on Myanmar, the UK delivered a statement, reiterating concern for human rights violations and election plans: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-uk-is-concerned-by-the-ongoing-violence-in-myanmar-including-escalating-human-rights-violations-and-increasing-reports-of-sexual-andgender-based

Since 2021, the UK Government has enacted 19 sanctions packages against the Myanmar regime, including 10 individual sanctions targeting the import of aviation fuel into Myanmar. In 2022 the UK updated our Overseas Business Risk Guidance to make it clear that UK businesses should conduct thorough supply chain diligence to ensure that commodities such as aviation fuel do not reach the military.

We have also sanctioned 25 individuals and 39 entities targeting the regime's access to finance, arms and equipment. We keep all evidence and potential designations under close review. It would not be appropriate to speculate about potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

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