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Charter of Fundamental Rights
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the Charter of Fundamental Rights will identify those rights pertaining solely to EU citizens; and what voting procedure will pass the final document. [101004]
Mr. Vaz: The reference in the Cologne Conclusions on rights pertaining to EU citizens is designed to make the Charter an effective showcase of existing EU rights.
The decision-making process in the Charter drafting body is consensus-based. The Cologne Conclusions state that the European Council will propose to the European Parliament and the Commission that, together with the Council, they should solemnly proclaim a European Charter of Fundamental Rights on the basis of the draft document.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals under discussion for the establishment of an EU agency for human rights and democracy; what is the relevant treaty base; if such will fall under the remit of the Common Foreign and Security Policy; and what timescale is envisaged. [101010]
Mr. Hain:
In the Vienna Declaration of 10 December 1998, the EU undertook to consider various ways of strengthening its human rights structures. This year's Cologne Council suggested that the advisability of setting up an Agency for Human Rights and Democracy should be considered. We would give careful thought to any such proposal, including how an Agency would fit with existing Common Foreign and Security Policy mechanisms.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the types of rights planned for inclusion into an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. [101009]
Mr. Vaz:
The Charter drafting body has yet to start work. Its first meeting is on 17 December. But the Cologne Conclusions provide some indications of the ground that might be covered. We believe that the Charter should make it easier for EU citizens to know the civil and political rights which they already enjoy under the Treaties.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department first received reports of moves by other EU Governments to propose an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; and from what initial source. [101006]
Mr. Vaz:
There was a specific reference to work on an EU Charter of Rights in the German Presidency Work Programme produced at the turn of the year.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the incorporation of Russia into elements of the European Security Charter. [101008]
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Mr. Vaz:
Like other OSCE participating states, the Russian Federation signed the European Security Charter at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul on 18-19 November 1999. The Charter, which as well as confirming participating states' adherence to previous OSCE commitments sets out principles for future security co-operation in Europe, was the result of lengthy negotiations amongst OSCE participating states, including Russia.
Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of procedures used by British High Commission staff to obtain police reports on the deaths of British citizens in Nigeria. [101363]
Mr. Hain:
I am satisfied that the British High Commission in Abuja and the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos do all they properly can to obtain police reports on the deaths of British citizens in Nigeria.
Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions when British High Commission staff have met representatives of the Nigerian Government to ask for a copy of the complete police report on the death of Mr. Mark Davey. [101362]
Mr. Hain:
British High Commission staff met representatives of the Nigerian Government on the following occasions:
The British High Commission has reminded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on numerous occasions that a copy of the report has not been forthcoming. They have written to officials and Ministers on five occasions and sent Diplomatic notes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a further five occasions. I look for opportunities to raise this matter when I visit Nigeria early next year.
The British High Commission will continue to press the Nigerian authorities for a copy of the report.
Mr. Gill:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which member countries of the OSCE have failed to eradicate torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. [101366]
Mr. Vaz:
The issue of torture was discussed at the Human Dimension session of the OSCE Review Conference in Istanbul on 9 November. It was noted that, while torture is prohibited in all OSCE participating states, instances of abuse persist in many parts of the
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region. No state should be complacent. Eradication of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is a constant process, requiring in particular effective human rights protection for detainees and investigation and punishment of offences.
The Government are funding work by the OSCE to address these issues, for example the production of a handbook on combating torture.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia about wildlife conservation, with particular reference to orang-utans and Tanjung Puting National Park; and if he will make a statement. [99675]
Mr. Hain:
The Government are concerned that forest degradation, including illegal logging in Indonesia and elsewhere, represents a critical threat to the survival of many species including orang-utans. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Government departments are in frequent touch with the Indonesian authorities on forest issues. The Government are working with other countries and international institutions to encourage Indonesia urgently to put in place systems to ensure the sustainable management of forests, and the protection of forest habitats. The Department for International Development appointed a Forestry Adviser to Indonesia in January 1999, who is working closely to this end with the Government of Indonesia and local communities.
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Kosovo; and how long he estimates UK troops will remain there. [101330]
Mr. Vaz:
The situation in Kosovo has been transformed in the six months since the deployment of KFOR on 12 July.
KFOR has robust presence throughout Kosovo. The Serbian VJ and MUP forces have withdrawn and their reign of terror and repression has ended. The KLA have been demilitarised. But problems remain. KFOR are having to devote 50 per cent. of their manpower to the protection of minorities, with a permanent presence in Serb communities. Some 1,800 UNMIK police have been deployed covering 60 per cent. of Kosovo but further resources are needed. The murder rate has fallen but crime and violence remain too high. The UK is working with EU partners to help the UN Mission (UNMIK) more effectively to tackle organised crime.
Ms Shipley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed export of smoke and incendiary grenades to the Norwegian KFOR contingent in Kosovo; and what assessment he has made of its compatibility with the UN and EU arms embargoes in place in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. [101732]
Mr. Vaz:
We have granted a licence for the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of 2,000 incendiary hand grenades and 6,000 coloured smoke
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grenades for use in de-mining activities by the Norwegian KFOR contingent deployed in Kosovo. These goods are on the UK's military List.
UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1160 imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that UNSCR 1244 provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for the use of the international civil and security presences in Kosovo. Equipment needed for de-mining activities is not covered by the EU arms embargo.
Mr. Jack:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his current foreign policy objectives are aided by the ECGD. [101486]
Mr. Hain:
ECGD aids the following foreign policy objectives:
Mr. Jack:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the ECGD makes to Britain's foreign policy objectives. [101485]
Mr. Hain:
ECGD contributes to Britain's foreign policy Objective 2 (to improve, through international action, economic opportunities for a prosperous UK) by promoting an safeguarding UK trade and outward investment, and other economic, financial and technological interests overseas; and by developing and implementing arrangements to further free, fair and sustainable trade and economic relations. Objective 3 (to improve quality of life worldwide; and develop a strong international community) is assisted by ECGD encouraging growth and development through out the world; and by international action to protect the environment.
Objective 4 (to increase the impact and respect for British foreign policy and values) is contributed to by ECGD's involvement in multilateral bodies, such as the OECD and Paris Club, and through multilateral and bilateral debt, and debt relief initiatives; by ensuring that international considerations inform government policy-making; and by providing a response to the
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concerns of Parliament, the public, and the media. Objective 5 is supported (to ensure the UK plays a strong role in a strong Europe, responding to people's needs) by ECGD's involvement in promoting effective EU external policies in the field of export credits.
15, 18 and 29 May 1998;
4 August 1998;
27 August 1998;
27 October 1998;
5 March 1999;
8 April 1999;
12 April 1999; and
21 September 1999
In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service raised the issue with the Permanent Secretary at the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 16 February 1999.
Objective 2:
To improve, through international action, economic opportunities for a prosperous UK.
Objective 3:
To improve quality of life worldwide; and develop a strong international community.
Objective 4:
To increase the impact and respect for British foreign policy and values.
Objective 5:
To ensure the UK plays a strong role in a strong Europe, responsive to people's needs.
UN Security Council resolution 1244 established UNMIK and KFOR for an initial deployment of 12 months, to continue thereafter unless the Security Council decided otherwise. We believe the international presence should remain in Kosovo for as long as is necessary to ensure a secure environment for the people of Kosovo to live in peace.
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