Burma Campaign UK does not take party political positions or back any political parties. Our role is to persuade the government of the day to take the strongest possible action to support human rights and democracy in Burma, regardless of which party is in power. Our record shows we have been equally critical of Labour, Coalition and Conservative governments, but willing to give praise where it is due.
At election time we are often asked by supporters about different political party’s policies towards Burma, so our Parliamentary Officer, Karin Valtersson, has gone through the manifestos of political parties to see what they have to say about Burma and human rights.
In alphabetical order:
Plaid Cymru
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
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Human Rights
“Future trade deals undertaken by the UK, whether inside or outside the EU, should maintain and enhance environmental standards, minimise the environmental footprint of trade and make trade terms explicitly subject to environmental and human rights commitments. There should be specific protections for vital global ecosystems and habitats such as the Amazon, and for indigenous people.” P63
Burma specific
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Aid
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The Conservative Party
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
—
Human Rights
“We will further develop an independent Magnitsky-style sanctions regime to tackle human rights abusers head on.” P53
“We will continue our campaigns to promote international media freedom and to eradicate human trafficking and the scourge of modern slavery.” P53
“We will support marginalised communities in the developing world, hosting the UK government’s first ever international LGBT conference. We will seek to protect those persecuted for their faith and implement the Truro Review recommendations.” P53
Burma specific
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Aid
“We will proudly maintain our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on development, and do more to help countries receiving aid become self-sufficient.” P53
The Democratic Unionist Party
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
—
Human Rights
“The DUP successfully urged the government to take seriously international human rights abuses against Christians and other faith groups. This work needs to be continued in the next Parliament through:
Retaining and strengthening role of the Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief with necessary financial and administrative support.
Implementation of the recommendations of the Truro Review.
Prioritising the protection of Freedom of Religion and Belief and other human rights in trade negotiations and trade deals, regardless of the UK’s future relationship with the European Union.
Retaining the Foreign Secretary’s Human Rights Advisory Group, and ensure that there are at least three representatives from civil society which specialise on Freedom of Religion and Belief.” P16
Burma specific
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Aid
“The DUP supports: The UK target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) being dedicated to Foreign Aid. The target should be on a 5-year rolling basis. The annual nature of the spending target can mean substantial amounts of money being allocated in short-time frames and poorly spent. This maintains the commitment and ensures better value for money.” P16
The Green Party
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
“Introduce a new law on Universal Jurisdiction, to make it easier to prosecute those committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, wherever these crimes take place.” P46
Human Rights
“Seek resolution in line with international law and the principles of self-determination to long running conflicts, illegal occupations and human rights violations.” P46
“Guarantee the rights of indigenous and native people by securing their autonomy, land rights and human rights, providing aid to protect cultures and support sustainable initiatives and ensuring that development schemes where the UK government has influence only take place with the permission, and under the active control of, indigenous people.” P46
“Commit that any future trade deals will maintain and enhance environmental and food standards and workers’ rights, minimise the environmental footprint of trade, make trade terms explicitly subject to environmental and human rights commitments, and not undermine the implementation of existing or new national and international commitments (including over protections for vital global ecosystems and habitats such as the Amazon, and for indigenous people).” P46
“Ensure trade democracy by assessing the development impact of all trade and investment agreements and guaranteeing Parliament a vote on them.” P47
“Close down the government’s arms sales activities, including the Department for International Trade’s Defence and Security Organisation (DSO), and end all subsidies and support for the UK arms industry’s exporting of weapons and systems that fuel conflicts, violence and suffering across the world.” P39
“Seek to make the combatting of climate and ecological breakdown and the spreading of human rights and justice core purposes of the United Nations.” P46
Burma specific
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Aid
“Phase in an increase in spending on foreign aid from 0.7% to 1% of our GNI, making us the third highest donor (by Gross National Income) in the world by 2021.” p45
The Labour Party
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
“Reform the international rules based order to secure justice and accountability for breaches of human rights and international law, such as the bombing of hospitals in Syria, the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip, the use of rape as a weapon of war against the Rohingya community in Myanmar and the indiscriminate bombardment of civilians in Yemen.” P98
Human Rights
“Appoint human-rights advisers to work across the Foreign Office and government to prioritise a co-ordinated approach to human rights.” P98
“Advocate for human rights at every bilateral diplomatic meeting.” P98
“Support ongoing UN efforts to introduce a binding international treaty on business and human rights, and make companies legally accountable for failing to prevent human rights abuses or environmental damage in their operations and supply chains, including criminal liability in the most serious cases.” P104
“Implement UK arms export controls to the highest standard, putting an end to exports where they might be used in violation of human rights or international humanitarian law. “ P105
“Ensure government procurement contracts are not granted to companies that are complicit in serious human rights abuses, and require all UK trade agreements to be consistent with international humanitarian law.” P105
Burma specific
“The Conservatives have failed to play a constructive role in resolving the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises, including in Kashmir, Yemen and Myanmar, and the escalation of tensions with Iran.” P99
Aid
“Unlike the Conservatives, Labour is fully committed to a standalone Department for International Development (DfID), with an aid budget of at least 0.7% of gross national income. We will introduce the reduction of inequality as a goal for all aid spending alongside existing poverty reduction and gender equality goals.” P103
“Implement a gender transformative approach across all our international work, including tripling funding for grassroots women’s organisations and establishing an independent ombudsman to tackle abuse in the development sector.” P104
The Liberal Democrats
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
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Human Rights
“Work with European partners to introduce a European Magnitsky Act that would enable sanctions against corrupt individuals and perpetrators of human rights abuses.” P89
“Improve control of arms exports, including by introducing a policy of ‘presumption of denial’ for arms exports to countries listed as Human Rights Priority Countries in the Foreign and Commonwealth Ofce’s annual human rights report.” P89
“Protect, defend, and promote human rights for all, including LGBT+ individuals who are persecuted across the world as well as those persecuted for their religion or belief.” P92
“Pursue a foreign agenda with gender equality at its heart, focusing on: the transformation of the position of women through economic inclusion, education and training; ensuring the lives of women and girls are not ignored in favour of trade or regional alliances; working to extend reproductive rights and end female genital mutilation; and ending sexual violence in conflict zones.” P92
“Work through international bodies for better regulation and scrutiny of international trade and investment treaties to ensure they do not worsen inequalities or undermine human rights or developing countries’ ability to regulate the environmental and social impacts of businesses.” P92
“Support free media and a free and open internet, championing the free flow of information.” P93
“Work to abolish the death penalty around the world and remove the power of ministers to allow security and justice assistance in cases that could result in its use.” P93
“Work to end the use of torture around the world and conduct a full inquiry into the UK Government’s involvement in torture and rendition.” P93
“Develop a comprehensive strategy for promoting the decriminalisation of homosexuality around the world and advancing LGBT+ rights.” P93
“Appoint an Ambassador-level Champion for Freedom of Belief.” P93
Burma specific
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Aid
“Spending 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income on aid: reducing poverty, defending human rights, protecting the environment and preventing violent conflict worldwide.” P89
“Increase overseas financial support for the ongoing refugee crisis, focussing on countries that have accepted millions of refugees.” P89
The Scottish National Party
Universal Jurisdiction/Justice and Accountability
“We will support an inquiry into the contribution and mechanisms that small nations and devolved administrations can develop to support the international rules based order, including in relation to climate change, the use of new technology as well as the protection and promotion of the rule of law, human rights, peace-making and poverty alleviation both at home and abroad.” P44
“We will call on the UK government to commit to introducing mechanisms to prevent identity based violence and mass atrocities” P49
Human rights
“We will continue to call on the Government, through the Foreign Office, to ensure that those human rights defenders that risk their lives to address injustices and protect others are given as much support as possible, including protections via asylum in serious cases.” P48
“SNP MPs will press for action on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, supporting women who play crucial roles in peacebuilding. Women who are disproportionately affected in armed conflict must be protected.” P48
“We will continue to urge the UK government to immediately halt all military support and arms sales to regimes guilty of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.” P50
Burma specific
“The SNP will continue to call on the Government to use all diplomatic channels to secure redress and justice for the Rohingya peoples that have been displaced.” P49
Aid
“The SNP will continue to demand that the Government keeps to the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on overseas development assistance, and that this money is concentrated in the hands of the Department for International Development and not spent on projects other than humanitarian aid.” P48