Stephen Crabb MP, the Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, condemned the Burmese military regime’s crackdown of peaceful protestors and urged the British Government to “match its rhetoric with action” in response to the crisis in Burma.

In a statement today, Mr Crabb said: “The people of Burma deserve our most profound respect and our unflinching support. Their courage in continuing to defy Burma’s brutal regime even as it fires bullets at them is inspiring. For the first time in 20 years there is a real opportunity to bring an end to the brutal and illegal regime which is one of the worst in the world. The international community must seize this opportunity to stand with the people of Burma who are risking their lives. We must not fail them this time.”

Mr Crabb called on the British Government to take concrete steps to address the situation. “We welcome the strong statements by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. However, the Government must match its rhetoric with action. We urge the UK to take the lead in proposing a UN Security Council resolution that would set out clear benchmarks of progress, with deadlines attached. These should include the release of political prisoners including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and the beginning of meaningful dialogue between the regime, the democracy movement and the ethnic nationalities. The UN should spell out international sanctions, such as an arms embargo, that could be imposed if the regime fails to meet the terms of the resolution.”