Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in response to the report by the Foreign Affairs Committee The UK Government's Response to the Myanmar Crisis, published on 16 July; and in particular the recommendation that the UK Government should increase (1) diplomatic, and (2) economic, pressure to reduce the violence committed against civilians in Burma.

The UK is deeply concerned with the worsening situation in Myanmar. We continue to call publicly for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. In response to escalating violence in Chin and Sagaing, the UK convened the UN Security Council on 8 November. During that meeting we called on the military to exercise restraint and ensure the protection of civilians. 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.

The UK has played a leading international role in coordinating targeted sanctions against the military regime. Since the coup, we have announced seven tranches of sanctions, which have targeted the junta's ruling body and its military leadership, as well as its key commercial interests. In addition, the UK's trade review has suspended trade promotion in Myanmar and strengthened advice to British businesses on avoiding exposure to the military. The UK is considering further targeted actions against the regime.