concerns over reports of persecution of predominantly Christian minorities there. They also urged the government to be less "reactive and passive" in dealing with British companies that trade with Burma, also known as Myanmar, BosNewsLife learned.
In a statement released by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a major advocacy group, MP Stephen Crabb said it was important "bring an end to the system of impunity for grave violations committed by state actors, including rape and sexual violence."
There are up to 1.5 million internally displaced people, many of them Christian Karen, who flee ongoing attacks against their villages, BosNewsLife established during a previous investigation in Burma.
"DIRTY LIST"
MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said Burma Campaign’s "Dirty List", which catalogues dozens of British companies involved in trade and investment in Burma, was a good step forward to end support for "the regime."
He called on the government to be more proactive in contacting each of the companies listed and "explain to them what they are doing in propping up the regime." The Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon said however that that the government seeks to discourage British companies from trading in Burma.
During a debate this week, the government was also urged "to re-think its current cross-border aid policy," said UK-based CSW which has worked closely with British parliamentarians investigating the situation in Burma.
AID CONDEMNED
MP John Bercow reportedly said that the level of British humanitarian aid to Burma "saddens and angers me greatly" and stated that current government aid can only be used on the border and not inside Burma.
CSW National Director, Stuart Windsor agreed that pressure has been put on Burma, where a military government has not allowed free elections and religious freedom.
"The human rights atrocities committed by the ruling military regime in Burma demand the immediate attention of the international community," Windsor said in comments to BosNewsLife. (With BosNewsLife Research and reporting from Burma).
