Canada condemns ethnic cleansing in Burma RE: A09348-2012 In reply to your email of July 27, 2012 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected] Subject: A09348-2012 In reply to your email of July 27, 2012 Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:17:54 +0000 Sajid Anjum [email protected] c.c. [email protected] Dear Sajid Anjum: The Office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has forwarded to me your email of July 27, 2012, concerning the situation in Rakhine state, Burma. I regret the delay in replying to you. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy. Canada takes principled positions on important issues to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada condemns the ethnic and sectarian strife, which has affected the people of Rakhine state and led to dozens of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of residents. I issued a statement highlighting Canada’s concerns on October 26, 2012. Canada has called on all sides to work toward a peaceful resolution of the tension, which led to the violence. I have regularly raised the situation of ethnic minorities with His Excellency Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burma, including when we met in Ottawa, in October 2012. As well, Canadian officials have discussed this issue with Burmese officials, and will continue to do so. Canada has urged the Burmese government to ensure that security forces protect the rights and safety of all residents, and asked them to facilitate access by humanitarian organizations and provision of assistance wherever it is needed. I am also concerned about reports that asylum seekers attempting to cross the border from Burma to Bangladesh have been turned back. Canadian officials have raised these concerns with the Government of Bangladesh. Canada provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflicts and natural disasters in the developing world based on need and in response to requests for support from experienced humanitarian organizations in the United Nations system, the Red Cross Movement and Canadian non‑governmental organizations. The Canadian International Development Agency does not provide humanitarian assistance directly to governments. We note that humanitarian organizations have very limited access to the conflict areas in Burma, which makes the provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected populations extremely difficult. Canada is working to address the humanitarian needs of those who have sought refuge outside of Burma. Canada provides assistance to support Burmese refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons through organizations headquartered in border countries. Since 2006, over 5,000 refugees from Burma have been resettled to Canada. Canada also contributed to emergency relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters such as Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and Cyclone Giri in 2010. Canada continues to work with partners in the international community and civil society to find the best approaches to fostering democracy and protecting human rights in Burma. As you may know, I announced on July 13, 2012, that Canada plans to open an embassy in Burma. It is my hope that having a Canadian embassy in Burma will enhance our growing bilateral relations and better enable Canada to assist the Government of Burma to build on democratic fundamentals and the freedom and rights of its people. In this context, from February 16 to 22, 2013, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai led a Canadian multi‑party parliamentary delegation to Burma. Members of the delegation met with Burmese parliamentarians and staff from all political parties, as well as government and civil society representatives. The visit was the first half of a parliamentary exchange project between our two countries, and it allowed a sharing of experiences and perspectives on good parliamentary practices. In response to positive developments in Burma, on April 24, 2012, I announced changes to Canada’s sanctions against Burma. General prohibitions on exports, imports, investment, and financial transactions were removed, while sanctions targeting designated persons and entities and a ban on military exports have been maintained. Canada is prepared to re-impose sanctions if the situation in Burma deteriorates. Canada will continue to work with its international and Burmese partners to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Burma. Thank you for writing. Sincerely, John Baird, P.C., M.P. Minister of Foreign Affairs
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 16:00:55 +0000
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