Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that EU Foreign Ministers, in their forthcoming meeting, respond to the situation affecting the Rohingya people with appropriate action; whether they will advocate reinforcing the arms embargo on the Burmese army, or seek a global arms embargo through the UN Security Council; and what other measures are being considered.

The Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 16 October, securing agreement by member states to the suspension of all Burmese military visits to the EU and a review of all defence cooperation, and to consider additional measures if the situation in Rakhine does not improve. This followed the UK's lead in suspending co-operation with the Burmese military announced by the Prime Minister in September

The EU retains its arms embargo for Burma, prohibiting the export of arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression. The UK is a vocal supporter of the ongoing retention of the EU arms embargo. Our assessment is that there is insufficient support amongst UN Security Council members for a global arms embargo on Burma.