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13 Jun 2005 : Column 137W—continued

Kalahari Game Reserve

Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is towards the San claim to its ancestral land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. [3602]

Ian Pearson: We are aware of the ancestral links, which the San (Basarwa) have to the land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and its significance to their traditional nomadic lifestyle. We have some reservations about the way in which the removal of the Basarwa from the CKGR has been handled and have raised these with the Government of Botswana. Through our high commission in Gaborone, we continue to encourage the Government of Botswana to participate in constructive dialogue with the San and the negotiating team that represents their interests.

Landmines

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the UK is making to (a) the NATO Trust Fund project for the destruction of anti-personnel landmines in Serbia and Montenegro and (b) the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance for its
 
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work in Balkan countries in this financial year; what further UK funding is proposed; in what countries work is planned; and if he will make a statement. [2920]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: In this financial year (2005–06) the UK has not made a contribution to the NATO South East Europe Initiative Trust Fund project for the destruction of anti-personnel landmines in Serbia and Montenegro. However, the Department for International Development is presently considering a UK contribution of £1 million to the International Trust Fund (ITF) for the current financial year. This will be used largely to fund mine action in Albania, Azerbaijan and Bosnia, but includes a sum, of approximately £350,000, which the ITF may use in any of the countries eligible for receiving funds through the Trust Fund.

Luis Posada

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the US authorities concerning the case of Luis Posada, wanted for extradition in connection with alleged terrorism. [2685]

Ian Pearson: The question of extradition of Luis Posada is a matter for the authorities in the US and for any country which may request his extradition.

Pakistan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the murder of Pastor Shamoun Babar and Daniel Emanuel in April; [1058]

(2) if he will urge the Pakistani Government to take steps to increase protection for religious minorities in Pakistan; [1059]

(3) what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the attack on the Apostolic Church, Khahamba near Lahore, on 27 March; [1060]

(4) what reports he has received concerning the effect on the Christian community in Pakistan of the recent attacks by Islamic extremists on Christian worshippers and buildings. [1363]

Dr. Howells: We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan, including over the experiences of religious minorities. We judge that collective action through the EU is the most effective way of voicing our concerns and we carry out regular EU de"marches, as well as bilateral lobbying. The next EU de"marche is likely again to encourage the Government of Pakistan to take steps to address thepersecution of minorities.

Although we are aware of these deplorable incidents, we have not made specific representations to the Government of Pakistan concerning the killing of Pastor Shamoun Babar and Daniel Emmanuel, nor on the attack on the Apostolic Church in Khahamba. We have not so far received any reports concerning the effect recent attacks on Christian worshippers and buildings have had on Pakistan's Christian community.
 
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People Trafficking

Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in partnership with his EU colleagues to control the trafficking of human beings into the UK. [3860]

Dr. Howells: The UK is committed to doing all it can to combat human trafficking, which is a crime that involves many source and transit countries.

Human trafficking will continue to form a key element in our Justice and Home Affairs agenda, particularly during our Presidency of the EU. We are working closely with our EU partners to ensure that The Hague Programme commitment for the Commission and Council to draw up an action plan on trafficking is met in 2005. In 2004 we launched an European Community-funded twinning project with the Netherlands to strengthen the capacity of the Czech Republic to combat trafficking into, within and out of the country. The 2002 EU Framework Decision on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings committed EU member states to establish criminal offences for trafficking.

Samir Kassir

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the assassination of Samir Kassir in the Lebanon; what his policy is on the extension of the UN inquiry into the death of Rafic Hariri to the case of Mr. Kassir; what assistance the United Kingdom is giving to the inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [2738]

Dr. Howells: This Government condemns the assassination of Samir Kassir and the injuries caused to a passer by. We also condemn the six bombs that have exploded in and around Beirut since mid-March killing four people and injuring over 50. These terrorist attacks are cowardly and cynical attempts to de-stabilise Lebanon. The Lebanese people have repeatedly demonstrated their support for genuine and peaceful democracy. The UK is committed to helping the people of Lebanon achieve this and welcomes the on-going elections.

The UK strongly supports the work of the Independent International Independent Investigation Commission. The UK co-sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 1595 mandating the Investigation Commission and has nominated a British police officer as a member of the Investigation Commission. The UK judges that it is important for the Commission to remain focused on the murder of Rafic Hariri, rather than spreading its resources more thinly. We look forward to an impartial and effective investigation by the Lebanese police and security forces of the death of Samir Kassir.

Sudan

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for the United Nations to categorise the situation in Darfur as genocide; and if he will make a statement. [2383]

 
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Ian Pearson: The UK strongly pressed for the International Commission of Inquiry (ICI) report into the situation in Darfur. The ICI found that serious violations of human rights had taken place in Darfur. and that, while there was no evidence to suggest that the Government of Sudan had pursued a policy of genocide, a competent court" would have to decide if certain individuals had done so. To this end, we sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1593, referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court—the first such referral by the Security Council. We continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan and the rebels that those responsible must answer for the crimes committed there.

We understand that following further investigation of the evidence by the ICC, the Prosecutor has decided that there is sufficient scope within his jurisdiction to mount a formal investigation. He has reached this decision independently, and we will await the outcome of the investigation.

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the situation in Darfur. [2387]

Ian Pearson: There are currently no plans to hold an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Darfur. The UN Security Council follows the situation in Sudan very closely, and continues to receive monthly reports from the Secretary-General on Darfur. Most recently the Security Council discussed Darfur on 2 June 2005 when the UN Secretary-General briefed the Council on his visit to Sudan, including Darfur, between 27–29 May 2005. The Security Council also discussed the African Union (AU) mission following the 26 May 2005 donors' conference in Addis Ababa, which the Secretary-General co-chaired. The Security Council remains fully engaged on Darfur, and is monitoring the implementation of the recent resolutions on Sudan closely.

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last raised the issue of Darfur with the US Secretary of State. [2397]

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice last discussed Darfur, and in particular the referral of Darfur to the International Criminal Court, in late March, prior to the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1593.

Both at ministerial and official level we are in regular contact with the US, and other international partners, on the issue of Darfur, and Sudan as a whole, and are closely co-ordinating our response to the crises.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Sudan about the continuing violence in the Kalua Camp, Nyala, Darfur. [2569]

Ian Pearson: Following an outbreak of violent clashes between police and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kalma IDP camp on 20 May, our ambassador in Khartoum visited the camp on 22 May, and raised the incident with the Government of Sudan, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.
 
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We remain greatly concerned about the continuing high tensions in the camp. The African Union (AU) are patrolling the camp in an effort to restore confidence between the IDPs and the Government of Sudan police. They are also seized of the need to provide a more permanent presence. We are discussing this with the AU, and are working to support them in expanding their mission in Darfur to over 7,000 personnel, including over 1,500 Civilian Police officers.

We regularly press the Government of Sudan on the need for it to provide security for its citizens, respect the human rights of the IDPs in the camps, and ensure the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. We will continue to do so.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the continuing violence in Eastern Sudan. [2571]

Ian Pearson: We remain greatly concerned about the continuing high tensions in eastern Sudan, and thoroughly condemn the recent kidnapping of Government of Sudan officials by rebel movements. We have made clear to the Eastern Front that they should release the hostages immediately.

We are pressing all sides to show restraint and negotiate a political settlement, within the framework of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). We understand that the Government of Sudan are currently in talks with the Northern Democratic Alliance, with a view to bringing them into the political process. To this end, the UK is also looking to fund informal consultations between the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning the arrests of representatives of Me"decins Sans Frontiers in Khartoum. [2595]

Ian Pearson: The UK national Director of Me"decins Sans Frontiers-Holland (MSF-H) and their Nyala co-ordinator were arrested on 30 May in Sudan and charged with spreading false information, causing social unrest, and spying. This followed MSF-H's publication in March of a report on rape in Darfur. The MSF-H representatives are currently released on bail.

Our embassy had first raised our concerns about hostile media reporting on MSF-H with the Government of Sudan on 29 May. Following the arrests, our Charge" d'affaires met the Government of Sudan on 30 May and 6 June, and maintained regular contact with MSF-H, the Government of Sudan and international partners in between. We also joined the EU and US in making representations to the Government on 1 June. A senior Foreign Office official also raised our concerns with the Sudanese ambassador in London on 1 June. We have continued to make clear to the Government of Sudan that such harassment of NGOs is wholly unacceptable and must stop. We will remain in close contact with MSF-H and international partners on this case.
 
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Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards negotiations in the UN on the introduction of sanctions in connection with the situation in Darfur. [2597]

Ian Pearson: The Government welcomes the recent negotiations in New York that resulted in the Security Council agreeing Security Council resolution 1591 (2005). This strengthened the arms embargo against Sudan and introduced a targeted assets freeze and travel ban against individuals who impede the peace process, constitute a threat to stability in the Darfur region, commit violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law or other atrocities, violate the arms embargo or are responsible for offensive military overflights in and over the Darfur region.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made regarding reports of rape and sexual violence against women in Darfur. [2598]

Ian Pearson: We deplore the ongoing use of rape and sexual violence in Darfur. Such attacks are abhorrent and totally unacceptable. We have made, and continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan that more must be done to provide security for the citizens of Darfur, and that perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to justice. Tackling rape and gender based violence has been a key point at the regular sub-Joint Implementation Mechanism meetings between the international community and the Government of Sudan, which is chaired by the UN. At the most recent meeting on 29 May, the international community pressed the Government of Sudan on the need to ensure that those completing medical reports of rape were not themselves considered to be carrying out criminal acts, such as falsifying information or not following 'due process' in obtaining a police report first, and on better judicial processing of rape cases.

The UK has contributed over £66 million towards the Darfur crisis since September 2003, including £500,000 towards the International Rescue Committee's Darfur programme, and £2.1 million towards Me"decins Sans Frontières' health programme. These both contain components to tackle such gender-based violence. We are also providing more than £20 million towards the African Union (AU) mission to improve security in Darfur. The AU is increasingly co-ordinating its patrols to provide protection for women when they leave Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Where this is happening the number of reported rapes have decreased significantly, and we are encouraging the AU to increase this practice.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with member states of the African Union regarding the treatment of Me"decins Sans Frontières officials in Darfur. [2625]

Ian Pearson: We have not held wider discussions with AU member states, except for Sudan which is directly responsible for this appalling behaviour. Following the arrests, our charge" d'affaires met the Government of Sudan on 30 May and 6 June, and maintained regular contact with MSF-H, the Government of Sudan and
 
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international partners in between. We joined the EU and US in making representations to the Government on 1 June. A senior Foreign Office official raised our concerns with the Sudanese ambassador in London on 1 June. We have consistently made clear that such mistreatment is wholly unacceptable and that harassment of NGOs must stop. We continue to engage in dialogue with the African Union on the operating conditions for all humanitarian organisations in Sudan.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Sudan regarding the arrest of Me"decins Sans Frontières officials in Darfur. [2626]

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), (UIN 2595), Official Report, 13 June 2005, col.141W.

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