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Iran

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of statements by the President of Iran denying the Holocaust. [40552]

 
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Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has condemned unreservedly the comments in which President Ahmadinejad denied the existence of the Holocaust. He has called the President's remarks wholly unacceptable, and said they have no place in civilised debate. President Ahmadinejad's remarks were also condemned by the United Nations Security Council and by European Union Heads of Government, with our full support.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have put to the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning Iran's nuclear power programme; and if he will make a statement. [40378]

Dr. Howells: The E3/EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) want Iran to take steps that will build international confidence that its nuclear programme is for solely peaceful purposes and to address in full the requests of the IAEA Board of Governors. The IAEA has not been a party to discussions between the E3/EU and Iran, which are political rather than technical in nature, but are kept fully informed of developments and proposals. We welcome the IAEA's work in monitoring Iran's implementation of its Safeguards Agreement.

Israel's Security Wall

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on Israel's security wall; and what assessment he has made of the effect the wall will have on (a) communities living near the wall and (b) the future for peace between Palestine and Israel. [39876]

Dr. Howells: We remain very concerned with the current routing of the barrier on occupied land, which is contrary to international law and we have communicated our concerns clearly to the Israelis. We recognise Israel's right to self defence against terrorism and a barrier is a reasonable way to do this, as long as it is on or behind the Green Line and has a minimal effect on the communities living in close proximity to it.

We believe that the full implementation of the Roadmap by both Parties is the best way to achieve peace in the region.

Mohammed Haydar Zammar

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations (a) he, (b) his Department and (c) other members and representatives of the UK Government have received during the UK's presidency of the EU about the (i) whereabouts and (ii) (A) the grounds for detention of and (B) conditions of detention of Mohammed Haydar Zammar; and if he will make a statement; [34345]

Syria

(2) what discussions (a) he, (b) his Department and (c) other Members and representatives of the UK Government have had during the UK's presidency of the EU with (i) Members and representatives of the Government of Syria and (ii) Members and representatives of the Administration of the US about
 
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the (A) whereabouts and (B) (1) grounds for detention and (2) conditions of the detention of Mohammed Haydar Zammar; and if he will make a statement. [34346]

Dr. Howells: No representations have been received or discussions had by the Government or by officials during the UK's presidency of the European Union in relation to the case of Mohammed Haydar Zammer.

Small Arms

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK Government are taking to control the (a) proliferation and (b) misuse of small arms around the world. [40231]

Dr. Howells: The UK is one of the most active participants in international efforts to combat the global proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). We have allocated £13.25 million to a UK SALW strategy over the period 2004–07. We are also one of the largest donors supporting the UN effort to combat the proliferation of SALW. UK funding assists UN agencies, regional organisations, governments and non-governmental organisations. Since 2004 we have supported work on strengthening controls on trade in SALW; collecting, managing and destroying weapons and ammunition; reducing demand; implementing existing regional agreements; devising national action plans and helping build the capacity of local civil society.

South Africa (Biological Materials)

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the extent to which all the materials detailed in the biological materials inventory assembled by South Africa's Project Coast have been (a) recovered and secured by the South African Government and (b) destroyed in accordance with international treaty obligations; and if he will make a statement. [40632]

Dr. Howells: We have no reason to doubt that relevant biological materials assembled by South Africa's Project Coast programme have been secured, recovered and destroyed as appropriate.

Sudan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan concerning its continuing detention of individuals arrested in the aftermath of the death of Dr. John Garang. [39627]

Ian Pearson: We have held several discussions with the Government of Sudan about the detention of individuals arrested in the civil disturbances that followed the death of First Vice President Dr. John Garang in a helicopter accident on 30 July. The UK and international partners held detailed discussions with the Sudanese Advisory Council for Human Rights on 1 December 2005 on this issue. We have consistently made clear that charges must be brought against anyone in detention swiftly, and that all detainees in Sudan be given prompt access to legal assistance. During this
 
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meeting the Advisory Council for Human Rights agreed to examine a number of individual cases, including those raised in the Khartoum Monitor on 30 November.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan concerning its reform of its judiciary and legal systems. [39628]

Ian Pearson: The UK makes regular representations to the Government of Sudan on the need to ensure its judicial process is fair and transparent. We also regularly raise our concerns on a number of individual cases with the Government. We are pleased that, under the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the parties have committed themselves to a comprehensive review of the Sudanese judicial system, and to guaranteeing free and fair trials for all and complying fully with international human rights treaties. The UK plans to play a leading role in supporting reform of the Sudanese justice sector. As part of our £7.2 million programme in this area, we are working to provide assistance to the National Judicial Service Commission, which is tasked with monitoring this process. We are also funding programmes through the UN Development Programme and the Sudanese Organisation Against Torture to support legal aid training and to raise awareness of human rights standards.

Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the African Union force in Darfur. [40788]

Ian Pearson: The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has established an increasingly effective presence in Darfur, and, in his most recent report on Darfur, the UN Secretary-General praises their 'commendable efforts'. AMIS now numbers some 6,885 personnel, including 1,300 African Union (AU) police officers. The UK and other international partners recently participated in a joint assessment mission with the AU to examine the effectiveness of the mission. The recommendations and conclusions of this report are due to be discussed by the AU at their Political and Security Council meeting on 12 January. We have made clear that we stand ready to help the AU implement the recommendations of this report and improve the effectiveness of the mission, most recently at the EU/AU Troika in Bamako on 2 December 2005, when the issue was raised by my noble Friend, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, the Minister for Africa.

The UK has committed £19 million funding this financial year to AMIS. This brings our total contribution to AMIS, since its inception, to almost £32 million. This money is to provide equipment, including a further 460 vehicles in addition to the original 450, as well as military and civilian policing advice, expertise and training. Some of our contribution will also fund airlift of troops into Darfur, and further troop rotation this year.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospect of progress being made at the Abuja peace talks. [39695]

 
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Ian Pearson: The Darfur peace talks continue in Abuja, Nigeria, between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement. The Parties are now discussing all three key issues—Power Sharing, Wealth Sharing and Security Arrangements—concurrently. Rather faster progress has been made on wealth sharing than the other two strands. The UK provides two security experts, and a negotiations expert to assist the African Union (AU) mediation. We are urging the parties to make more rapid headway and stand ready to provide further experts to assist the AU mediators. We welcome the Chairman's announcement that the talks will now sit in permanent session. We remain firmly committed to the Abuja process, and plan to maintain a UK presence throughout the talks, in support of the mediation and the parties.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what factors underlay the decision not to add to the United Nations sanctions list members of the Sudan (a) government, (b) military and (c) Janjaweed who are suspected of war crimes; [39710]

(2) what discussions he has had with his counterparts at the UN about implementing sanctions against those suspected to be guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur; [39711]

(3) what discussions he has had with members of the UN Security Council on the implementation of the recommendations of the Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts in Darfur; [40491]

(4) when he expects sanctions and penalties to be imposed by the UN Sanctions Committee upon those individuals listed by the Panel of Experts on Darfur; and what assessment he has made of the reasons they have not yet been imposed. [40504]

Ian Pearson: The Panel of Experts established under UN Security Council Resolution 1591 presented their report and recommendations to the Sanctions Committee on 23 December. Discussions on the Panel's recommendations, and the possible imposition of sanctions on individuals, will take place in the Sanctions Committee in the coming days. We are pressing for swift action on the Panel's recommendations. We are determined to make full use of the existing sanctions, and continue to press for the arms embargo on Darfur to be extended to the whole country.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and technical resources have been provided by his Department to the African Union force in Darfur to strengthen its capacity to protect civilians. [40414]

Ian Pearson: The UK has committed £19 million funding this financial year to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). This brings our total contribution to AMIS, since its inception, to almost £32 million. This money is to provide equipment, including the purchase of a further 460 vehicles in addition to our original 450, as well as military and civilian policing advice, expertise and training. Some of our contribution will also fund airlift of troops into Darfur, and further troop rotation this year. These contributions will assist the African Union in carrying out their mandate, including
 
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contributing to a more secure environment. However the primary responsibility for the protection of its own citizens lies with the Government of Sudan.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the African Union on the (a) enforcement of its mandate to protect civilians in Darfur and (b) the protection of mass graves and other forensic evidence to support the work of the International Criminal Court. [40417]

Ian Pearson: The UK and other international partners recently participated in a joint assessment mission with the African Union (AU). This concluded that the AU Mission in Sudan's (AMIS) current mandate is adequate but is not clearly understood by commanders at all levels. We will continue to press the AU to interpret its mandate flexibly and robustly in order provide the necessary degree of protection to civilians within its capabilities.

We have regularly raised this issue of mass graves and other forensic evidence directly with the AU. We understand they are continuing their investigations into the alleged discoveries of mass graves. We also continue to urge the AU to work with and support the International Criminal Court.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the African Union (AU) regarding the rules of engagement in Darfur in relation to the use of deadly force by AU troops. [40421]

Ian Pearson: The UK and other international partners recently participated in a joint assessment mission with the African Union. Their report concluded that the present draft Rules of Engagement are effective although they have not yet been formally approved for use.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with members of the UN Security Council regarding the renewal of the mandate of the Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts in Darfur. [40492]

Ian Pearson: The United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted Resolution 1651 on 21 December which extends the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts on Darfur until 29 March 2006.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with members of the UN Security Council bringing forward a resolution calling for the Government of Sudan to (a) suspend from duty, investigate and prosecute Government officials suspected of human rights abuses in Darfur, (b) co-operate fully with the International Criminal Court Prosecutor and (c) stop obstructing the African Union mission. [40493]

Ian Pearson: The UN Security Council has already called for the investigation and prosecution of anyone responsible for human rights abuses and on the Government of Sudan to provide full co-operation with the African Union mission in Sudan under resolutions 1556, 1564, 1574, 1591 and 1593. Resolution 1593, which referred the situation in Darfur to the
 
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International Criminal Court (ICC), demands that the Government of Sudan co-operate fully with the ICC investigation.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan regarding the investigation and prosecution of (a) government officials, (b) military commanders, (c) militia personnel, (d) soldiers, (e) police officers, (f) intelligence officers and (g) members of the Popular Defence Forces implicated in serious violations of human rights in Darfur. [40495]

Ian Pearson: The Government of Sudan is fully aware of our view that they must fully investigate human rights abuses throughout Sudan and bring the perpetrators to justice regardless of their position. We continue to raise this matter with them on a regular basis.

The UK sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593 which referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has begun its independent investigation and will issue indictments in due course.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made by his Department to the (a) Sudan Liberation Army and (b) Justice and Equality Movement on (i) respect for human rights, (ii) civilian freedom of movement and (iii) respect for humanitarian workers in Darfur. [40499]

Ian Pearson: We have made consistently clear to all parties to the conflict in Darfur, including the Sudan Liberation Army and Justice and Equality Movement, that we expect them to abide by their obligations to uphold human rights, provide freedom of movement for civilians and facilitate the work of humanitarian workers, in accordance with their obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1556, 1564, 1574 and 1591 as well as the Abuja Humanitarian and Security Protocols.

The parties are currently discussing general principles for security arrangements, which include the need to cease all attacks and facilitate the work of the humanitarian community. The UK observer in Abuja regularly raises these issues directly with the parties and presses them to make swift progress

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Government of Sudan, (b) the Sudan Liberation Army and (c) the Justice and Equality Movement regarding the recruitment and use of child soldiers in Darfur. [40500]

Ian Pearson: We have regularly made clear to the Government of Sudan that we expect it to uphold the commitments it has made under International Human Rights law, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The UK led an EU demarche to the Government of Sudan on Children in Armed Conflict in July 2005.

We have also made clear to the Sudan Liberation Army and Justice and Equality Movement that the recruitment and use of child soldiers is wholly
 
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unacceptable and is in contravention of their obligations under the Abuja Security Protocol, signed on 8 November 2004, which commits both movements and the Government of Sudan to refrain from recruiting children as soldiers or combatants, and to abide by the CRC, the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the African Union regarding strengthening the deployment of (a) military troops and (b) civilian police in Darfur. [40501]

Ian Pearson: The UK took part in an international assessment mission for the African Union Mission in Darfur in December. This has reported back to the African Union (AU) that the current size of the mission is adequate for its assigned tasks. It is for the AU to take any final decisions on force size. But we continue to offer the AU support in reinforcing the effectiveness of its mission.

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