To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the alleged incident of rape of Rohingya women by security forces in Rakhine State, Burma, and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
1 December 2016
We are aware of a number of disturbing reports of sexual violence against Rohingya women by security forces in Rakhine State. These were alleged to have taken place during the ongoing security operations in Rakhine, triggered on 9 October when three Burmese Border Guard Police posts were attacked by armed Rohingya groups. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns, visited Burma from 9-12 November. She urged Burmese Government Ministers to resume immediate humanitarian access to the affected areas in Northern Rakhine and for a full and independent investigation into all reports of human rights violations. The Government of Burma has committed publicly to do so. I also raised the situation in Rakhine State with the Burmese Minister of Construction in London on 29 November.