Julie Bishop to raise human rights concerns with Burma president

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/03/julie-bishop-raise-human-rights-concerns-burma

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Foreign minister Julie Bishop will raise Australia's concerns about human rights abuses in Burma when she meets the country's president Thein Sein.

Bishop travels on Thursday to Naypyidaw, where she'll meet Thein Sein, the former military general turned civilian ruler, as well as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders.

She will also hear first-hand from members of the Rohingya community, who have been the victims of persecution in a violent anti-Muslim purge in the volatile Rakhine state.

The religious bloodshed in the country's west has attracted international criticism and marred the sweeping political reforms introduced by the former ruling military junta.

Bishop said she would press Burma's leadership to pursue a "true democracy" that recognises human rights and the inclusion of all ethnic groups.

"I will raise concerns about ethnic communities, my concerns about ensuring that Myanmar [Burma] embraces an inclusive democracy as it goes down the path of constitutional reform and political reform," she told ABC TV.

Australia has maintained diplomatic relations with Burma since 1952, but only lifted travel and financial sanctions two years ago as the hermit state took steps towards democratic reform.

An arms embargo remains in place and won't be discussed on the visit.

Trade and investment opportunities have been high on the agenda, with the foreign minister holding a roundtable discussion with Australian businesses in Yangon on Wednesday.

The remainder of her trip will focus on women's empowerment – a top priority of the government's revamped aid program – and business and education training initiatives.

Bishop will also discuss the prospect of Burma joining the New Colombo Plan from next year, meaning Australian students could receive scholarships to study there.