Press release

Foreign Secretary calls for an end to violence in Rakhine

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson gave a statement following the recent eruption of violence in Burma.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Boris Johnson
• Published: 2 September 2017
• Last updated: 2 September 2017 — See all updates

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

The Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said:

Aung Sang Suu Kyi is rightly regarded as one of the most inspiring figures of our age but the treatment of the Rohingya is alas besmirching the reputation of Burma. She faces huge challenges in modernising her country. I hope she can now use all her remarkable qualities to unite her country, to stop the violence and to end the prejudice that afflicts both Muslims and other communities in Rakhine. It is vital that she receives the support of the Burmese military, and that her attempts at peacemaking are not frustrated. She and all in Burma will have our full support in this.

Background

• The UK has provided nearly £8 million to address the humanitarian suffering of Rohingya refugees and the vulnerable Bangladeshi communities that host them.
• Earlier this week, the UK raised the situation in Rakhine in the UN Security Council. Our immediate priority is to make sure food and medical assistance can be provided to displaced civilians from all communities. We are also urging the Government of Burma to address the underlying issues in Rakhine.

Further information

• Follow the Foreign Secretary on Twitter @BorisJohnson and Facebook

• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook

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Published 2 September 2017
Last updated 2 September 2017 + show all updates

1. 2 September 2017

   Minor edit

2. 2 September 2017

   First published.