Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 12 June, what practical steps they are taking to facilitate the referral of members of the Burmese military to the International Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) takes up cases when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute. On 31 May, the Burmese Government announced a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations in Rakhine. The UK has welcomed the Commission while making clear that it needs to be credible, transparent and impartial. If adequate, a Burmese-led process offers the best chance of convictions which are accepted by the population.

Following the UN Security Council's visit to Burma the UK discussed accountability options with Council members. There remains insufficient support in the Council for an ICC referral at this time, but this may change should we judge the Burmese Commission of Inquiry prove to be not credible.