Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Crimes against the Rohingya: Accountability

Tuesday 15 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK has sanctioned 16 individuals, including the commander-in-chief of Myanmar's military, for human rights violations against the Rohingya.
  • The UK has provided over 320 million in aid to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh since 2017.
  • The UK has given more than 44 million to all communities in Myanmar since 2017, including support to the Rohingya and other minorities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from ongoing atrocities committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya, including human rights violations.

Question

What diplomatic steps have been taken to ensure that the Myanmar military personnel responsible for crimes committed against the Rohingya are held accountable?

Answer from Nigel Adams

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.

Answered
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Q2 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
Asylum & Refugees Foreign Affairs
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Nigel Adams

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about reversing budget cuts and joining Gambia's ICJ case; these specifics were not fully addressed.

How: We Have Provided Significant Funding But Did Not Address The Specific Ask To Reverse Cuts Or Join The Icj Case.

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