4th Special Report - Violence in Rakhine State and the UK's response: Government Response

This is the government's response, published 6 March 2018.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government notes the Committee's report and responds to each recommendation, stating that it "recognise[s] that there has been ethnic cleansing" while leaving any finding of atrocity crimes to judicial authorities.

• It agrees with the Committee that Bangladesh has shown generosity, and says the UK "will continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh" to support refugees and host communities.
• It declines to make its own determination on atrocity crimes, saying the FCO "is not a judicial authority". It states that the acts of ethnic cleansing "may amount to crimes against humanity".
• On sanctions, it is assessing targeted EU sanctions with partners, noting that this depends on EU consensus and sufficient evidence. It states "We do not support a ban on business with military-controlled companies."
• It agrees that it cannot support refugee returns until conditions are right, and says the UK "cannot countenance returns taking place until appropriate conditions are in place".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error