Over 70 celebrities and politicians are backing this new public
awareness campaign asking people not to holiday in Burma because
of human rights concerns.
The UK has been at the forefront of efforts over many years to draw
attention to the extent of abuse in Burma, and to bring pressure to
bear on the military regime to reform. We are actively working with
our European and international partners, as well as through the United
Nations and the International Labour Organisation, to press the regime
to end the appalling human rights violations and to engage in a genuine
process of national reconciliation. This must involve all relevant
parties and groups in Burma.
Human rights violations in Burma have been highlighted in successive
UN Resolutions which have drawn attention to torture, extra-judicial
killings and rape by members of the armed forces, forced labour including
the use of child soldiers and forced relocation of villagers. Together
with our partners in Europe, the British government imposes a series
of measures against those responsible for these crimes. For as long
as they continue, I would urge anyone who may be thinking of visiting
Burma on holiday to consider carefully whether by their actions they
are helping to support the regime and prolong such dreadful abuses.
