The quantity of goods imported into Britain from the military dictatorship of Burma has risen sharply, prompting deep concern from MPs and campaigners.
The government has disclosed that in the first six months of this year £43.2 million of goods came into the UK from one of the world's most corrupt regimes, responsible for widespread use of forced labour, and a country where 1.5 million people have been forced from their land.
In 1998, the UK imported just £17.8m of goods from Burma. In 2003, the figure was £62m. Given this year's figures, it is clear imports are rising despite last year's Commons statement by Tony Blair saying companies should not trade with Burma.
Pressure is mounting for Customs & Excise to disclose the companies which are trading with Burma. The government faces an imminent legal challenge, forcing it to do so on public interest grounds. Norway, the United States and Canada currently disclose this information.
'The government says "Don't trade with Burma," but it's being ignored,' said Mark Farmaner, media and campaigns officer at Burma Campaign UK. 'It's refusing to impose sanctions and by not naming companies importing into the UK, it is not giving the public the ability to choose whether it buys Burmese products.'
In just six months this year, £35m of Burmese clothes were imported into the UK. Dan Rees, director of the Ethical Trading Initiative, said: 'The regime does not just turn a blind eye to labour rights abuses, it encourages slavery in order to gain a competitive advantage. Brands should not be sourcing from Burma.'
Fears are growing that the Burmese junta is turning even more hardline. A power struggle last month saw the removal of prime minister Khin Nyunt, considered to be a 'moderate'.
The country's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has just started her 10th year in jail. Calls for effective economic sanctions against the regime have been ignored by both Asian and western governments.
Within three years, the junta will see increased revenues from oil and gas projects in partnership with Thai and French companies.
