Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that increased military attacks against civilians in the Burmese province of Chin State are approaching the classification of genocide.

The UK is deeply concerned at increased military attacks against civilians in Chin State including credible reports of torture, forced labour, sexual violence and attacks on places of worships. We are concerned about the particular vulnerability of religious minorities in the State. Over 40,000 people have been displaced as a result of the increasing violence.

The UK released a statement in country on 15 October, urging the military to end the violence. We secured a Press Statement at the UN Security Council on 10 November calling for the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and urging the military to exercise restraint. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are in discussion with partners on next steps.