Crimes against the Rohingya Accountability 2021-06-15
2021-06-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from ongoing atrocities committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya, including human rights violations.
What diplomatic steps have been taken to ensure that the Myanmar military personnel responsible for crimes committed against the Rohingya are held accountable?
Accountability is vital. The military has committed atrocities against the Rohingya and other minorities and must be held to account. We have sanctioned 16 individuals, including the commander-in-chief, for human rights violations against the Rohingya. We have sanctioned the two largest military-economic entities, which are both a key source of revenue for the military. We have boosted our funding to the independent investigative mechanism, which preserves evidence for future prosecution.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The humanitarian situation has worsened with the military coup, leading to increased needs but also reductions in international funding. The questioner raises concerns about UK cuts to refugee camp budgets and calls for joining a genocide prevention case at the ICJ.
May I first extend my solidarity with, and deepest condolences to, the HALO Trust staff who were killed in Afghanistan and to all those who were injured? Myanmar's military has been allowed to act with impunity against the Rohingya, and its assault has now widened to the whole population following the military coup earlier this year. At the same time, our Government have unfortunately slashed the budget by nearly half for the refugee camps in Bangladesh, and humanitarian cuts are likely in Myanmar. While the Foreign Secretary is listening, may I ask the Minister once again to reverse those cuts, because they are literally costing lives? Will the Foreign Secretary and the Minister also please consider formally joining Gambia on the genocide prevention case at the ICJ? If they do not agree to do so now after all that has happened and after all that the Myanmar military has done, then when will we formally join, given that we are a leading country in relation to Myanmar?
We remain a leading donor to the Rohingya response, providing more than £320 million to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh since 2017. That includes £27.6 million of new funding announced in May in Rakhine State. We have provided more than £44 million to all communities since 2017, including over £25 million for the Rohingya. The Government are providing education, nutrition, water, sanitation, health and livelihoods.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about reversing budget cuts and joining Gambia's ICJ case; these specifics were not fully addressed.
We Have Provided Significant Funding But Did Not Address The Specific Ask To Reverse Cuts Or Join The Icj Case.
Response accuracy