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Nepal

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received regarding the whereabouts of Krishna Pahadi, founding chairman of the Human Rights and Peace Society of Nepal; and if he will make a statement. [216709]

Mr. Alexander: Krishna Pahadi was arrested on 9 February and taken from the offices of the Human Rights and Peace Society of Nepal. We have made inquiries, but do not know where he is being held.

Immediately after the takeover of power by the King we issued a statement with our EU partners which expressed our grave concerns about restrictions on liberty and calling for human rights to be respected. Our ambassador in Kathmandu raised these issues, including the detention of activists and political leaders, directly with the King in an audience on 8 February. With other EU member states' ambassadors he also raised this with the new Nepalese Foreign Minister on 7 February.

We are at present uncertain how many human rights activists are being detained but we are keeping the situation under review and will continue to press for the immediate release of all political and human rights detainees.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the (A)Government and (B) royal family of Nepal regarding the whereabouts of Krishna Pahadi, founding chairman of the Human Rights and Peace Society of Nepal; and if he will make a statement. [216710]

Mr. Alexander: In an audience with the King on 8 February, our ambassador in Nepal raised our concerns about the suspension of civil liberties and called for the immediate release of all political and human rights detainees. In my statement of 1 February, I expressed the UK Government's grave concerns about the situation in Nepal and called for the immediate restitution of multi-party democracy. We understand that Krishna Pahadi was arrested on 9 February and have sought to find out where he is being detained. We will continue to press for the release of all political and human rights detainees.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of (a) the number of people (i)arrested and (ii) detained under house arrest since the dissolution of the Government of Nepal by King Gyanendra on 1 February and (b) how many of these people are members of the (A) Communist Unified Marxist-Leninist Party and (B) People's Front; and if he will make a statement. [216731]

 
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Mr. Alexander: On the information available to us we estimate that around 125 people were arrested following the actions by the King of Nepal on 1 February 2005, of whom nine were detained under house arrest. Because of media and other restrictions, we may not be aware of all those arrested, especially outside Kathmandu. Of the 125, 19 were members of the Unified Marxist Leninist party and one was a member of the United People's Front. A number of those detainees have now been released, although some party leaders still remain in detention.

Immediately after the takeover of power by the King we issued a statement with our EU partners which expressed our grave concerns about restrictions on liberty and calling for human rights to be respected. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu raised our concerns, including the detention of political leaders, directly with the King in an audience on 8 February. With other EU member states' ambassadors he also raised this with the new Nepalese Foreign Minister on 7 February.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the terms of the state of emergency proclaimed by King Gyanendra in Nepal on 1 February, with particular reference to public meetings and demonstrations; and if he will make a statement. [216732]

Mr. Alexander: The King's takeover of power in Nepal on 1 February was accompanied by the imposition of a state of emergency which included the suspension of many fundamental rights. These included the right to association, the right to freedom of expression, the right to property, the right against preventative detention and the rights of the press.

The UK is deeply concerned by the measures taken under the state of emergency and believes they undermine the institutions of democracy and increase the risk of instability in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu raised our concerns directly with the King in an audience on 8 February. On 14 February my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced that we were recalling our Ambassador from Kathmandu for consultations in view of the seriousness of the situation.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the willingness of the leadership of the Royal Nepal Army to negotiate with the Maoists. [217323]

Mr. Alexander: The King's move to dismiss the Prime Minister and assume power outside the framework of a multi-party democratic system will unfortunately, probably put back the prospect of any negotiated settlement. In our view negotiation with the Maoists should be the responsibility of a representative civilian government, to which the Royal Nepalese Army is accountable.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what type of UK military personnel have worked with the Royal Nepalese Army during the past 12months. [217324]

Mr. Alexander: In the past 12 months 20 UK military personnel have visited Nepal to assist and train the Royal Nepalese Army. This includes mechanical,
 
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electrical and stores specialists, and one person who attended a mountain warfare course run by the Nepalese military. There have also been some individual visits in relation to the supply of short take-off and landing aircraft to the Government of Nepal.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likelihood of military success by the Royal Nepal Army against the Maoists. [217329]

Mr. Alexander: The UK has consistently held the view that there can be no military resolution and that a negotiated political settlement involving all parties offers the best way to resolve the conflict in Nepal and to create a stable democracy with good governance and respect for human rights. We will continue to press all parties for an early return to negotiations.

Somalia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the (a) impact on the stability of Somalia of and (b) likelihood of delays to the planned move of the Somali Government from Kenya to Somalia as announced by Prime Minister Mohamed Ali Gedi on 9 February; and if he will make a statement. [216728]

Mr. Mullin: We welcome Prime Minister Gedi's statement that the Transitional Federal Government will begin to return to Somalia on 21 February. We believe the establishment of a functioning government will help to restore stability and law and order and bring about an improvement in economic conditions for the population. Security remains a key concern, but discussions inside and outside Somalia are under way to assist the process of stabilisation and demilitarisation.

Any judgment as to the timing of the move must be for the Transitional Federal Government. Delays are possible but a successful outcome will be more important than timing.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the efforts undertaken by the (a) African Union and (b) Arab League to facilitate the move of the Somali Government from Kenya to Somalia on 21 February; and if he will make a statement. [216729]

Mr. Mullin: The African Union is actively supporting the Somalia peace and reconciliation process and has offered to provide a Peace Support Mission. It has also mandated the Inter-Governmental Group on Development countries, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda to provide troops and/or equipment as an interim peace support mission to provide security for the Transitional Federal Government after its relocation to Somalia.

The Arab League has also been asked by the Transitional Federal Government to provide peace support, and is considering the request.
 
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Any deployment would be subject to confirmation by the Somali Parliament and UN Security Council authorisation.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance (a) the UK and (b) the EU (i) have offered, (ii) are delivering and (iii) will be delivering to facilitate (A) the move of the Somali Government from Kenya to Somalia on 21 February and (B) the normalisation of the situation in Somalia after the government's move; and if he will make a statement. [216730]

Mr. Mullin: The British contribution to the reconciliation process leading to the creation of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) will be £365,000. Further assistance for the Government's relocation to Somalia and its immediate needs has been set aside, but the scale and timing of the disbursements will have to be decided in consultation with the TFG and in the light of developments. Further substantial UK bilateral aid to Somalia will be available if the TFG can create the security conditions in which it can be delivered effectively.

A number of European Union member states as well as other members of the International Community have contributed to the reconciliation process and are considering making further contributions. The European Commission has been the principal donor of EU funds to the Somali National Reconciliation Conference, including for the relocation of MPs and conference delegates; and is considering how it may support the Transitional Federal Government's relocation plans.

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