To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Burma about (1) the citizenship application process in that country, and the risk of discrimination against religious minority groups as a result of them being categorized as “mix-blooded people” and “foreign” regardless of their ancestry, and (2) the case for amending the 1982 Citizenship Law in accordance with recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar and Towards a Peaceful, Fair and Prosperous Future for the People of Rakhine, published by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State in August 2017.
Answered on
28 March 2019
The British Government continues to press the Burmese Government to fully implement the Rakhine Advisory Commission. We note the Rakhine Advisory Commission report conclusion that aspects of the 1982 Citizenship Law are not in compliance with international standards and norms - such as the principle of non-discrimination under international law - as well as international treaties signed by Myanmar. The British Government welcomed the report of the Rakhine Advisory Commission and its recommendation that the 1982 Citizenship Law be reviewed and reformed. We support clear and non-discriminatory pathways to citizenship, as well as longer term reform of the 1982 Citizenship Law, as the RAC recommendations set out.