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10 May 2006 : Column 350W—continued
Indonesia
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made concerning the situation of Christians in Indonesia. [67907]
Mr. McCartney: We regularly raise human rights issues with the Government of Indonesia, both bilaterally and through the EU. We have made clear our view that freedom of religion is an important component of the democratic life of the country.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made representations personally. However, through the EU, we have made representations to the Indonesian Government concerning the death penalty handed down to three Christians convicted of masterminding violence in central Sulawesi in 2000. On 14 November 2005, as EU Presidency, we expressed to the Government of Indonesia the EU's regret at the decision to carry out the executions, and urged the Indonesian Government not to do so and to consider the abolition of the death penalty altogether. The current EU Presidency, Austria, followed this up with the Government of Indonesia in January 2006 in separate meetings with the Minister of Law and Human Rights and the Attorney-General, and in a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The EU Presidency raised this again during the EU-Indonesia Ministerial Troika meeting in Vienna on 27 March 2006.
We understand that the Indonesian Supreme Court had recently reopened the case and that there may be further police enquiries.
Iran (Nuclear Programme)
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the status of the Russian proposal for an offshore nuclear fuel supply arrangement with Iran. [69197]
Dr. Howells: The Government understand that the Russian proposal for a fuel supply arrangement with Iran remains on offer. President Putin announced on 25 January a similar scheme for a multilateral fuel cycle centre in Russia, open to all countries. We continue to believe that such a proposal could contribute to resolving international concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme.
Iraq
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the investigation into illegal exports to Iraq referred to on page 125 of the Court of Auditors report for 2003. [68756]
Dr. Howells: I understand this concerns illegal exports of meat to Iraq in the 1990s. Several EU member states have been requested to recover funds that should not have been paid. Investigations into this case are continuing.
Kosovo
Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps have been taken to assess the (a) security needs and (b) continuing role of NATO forces in Kosovo; and what the British involvement will be in the EU planning team in Kosovo. [69472]
Mr. Hoon: Kosovo's security needs are kept under constant review by NATO as part of its mandate to provide a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. The London Ministerial Contact Group statement of 31 January 2006 recalled the commitment of NATO to continue to maintain a safe and secure environment through the presence of the Kosovo Force in Kosovo. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House. NATO participates in Contact Group discussions relating to Kosovo were necessary to ensure that its posture is calibrated both to international political discussions and Kosovo internal developments.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council agreed at their meeting on 10 April 2006 to a Joint Action launching the EU Planning Team for a possible future civilian European Security and Defence Policy Mission in Kosovo. The UK has offered one policing adviser to the EU Planning Team. The Council Secretariat are expected to confirm appointments over the coming weeks.
Lord's Resistance Army
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her estimate is of the number of armed Uganda Lord's Resistance Army rebels operating in (a) northern Uganda and (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will make a statement. [69299]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Browne) on 20 April 2006, Official Report, column 783W.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the reports that the (a) Uganda People's Defence Forces and (b) Sudanese People's Liberation Army have entered the Democratic Republic of Congo on search-and-destroy missions against the Lord's Resistance Army; and if she will make a statement. [69300]
Mr. McCartney: On 27 April there were media reports of clashes between the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) troops and Uganda's armed forces (UPDF) in north-eastern DRC. On 30 April MONUC, the UN peacekeeping mission to the DRC, stated that reports concerning a Ugandan incursion into the DRC were credible. The Congolese Government have since claimed that their troops had clashed with men in UPDF uniforms, on Congolese soil, on 26 April. There have subsequently been media reports that the Sudanese People's Liberation Army may have entered DRC territory in pursuit of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
We take any such allegations very seriously and our high commissioner in Kampala discussed the reports with the Uganda Foreign Minister on 27 April. Minister Kutesa and other contacts within the UPDF have strongly denied the reports.
It is very difficult to obtain authoritative information on the precise situation in north-eastern DRC. The LRA is a highly mobile and brutal organisation. Its members are known to wear stolen uniforms from other armed forces, which may have led to confusion as to the identity of those involved. We are following the situation very closely and continue to emphasise to all sides the need to deal robustly with the LRA while respecting the territorial integrity of the DRC.
Nigeria
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Nigerian Government on (a) the destruction of churches in Jigawa state, Kaduma, Banchi and Kano and (b) difficulties church leaders encounter in the north of the country in getting permission and obtaining licences to re-build churches destroyed in inter-religious violence. [67636]
Mr. McCartney: I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary's reply to him of 25 April 2006, Official Report, columns 487-88. We take every opportunity to raise concerns about
religious conflicts and human rights generally with the Government of Nigeria and senior leaders from all faiths in that country. Nigeria is a diverse, federal state and conflicts unfortunately occur over many issues. We will continue to make representations to the relevant authorities on the importance of religious tolerance and co-existence and raise specific incidents of religious conflict where they are credible and verified.
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of the constitutional amendment proposed by President Obasanjo to remove the limit of two presidential terms; and if she will make a statement. [69679]
Mr. McCartney: As my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary said publicly during his visit to Nigeria in February this year, constitutional change, done fairly and transparently, is a matter for Nigeria. The UK will continue to support the Nigerian Government's reform agenda whoever the Nigerian people choose as their next President.
Shan Refugees (Thailand)
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees about the status of Shan refugees living in Thailand; [68184]
(2) what recent discussions she has had with the government of Thailand about regularising the status of Shan refugees living in Thailand; [68186]
(3) what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Government of Thailand and (b) members of the Association of South East Asian Nations about the treatment of Shan refugees living in Thailand. [68187]
Mr. McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the status of the Shan refugees living in Thailand with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, our embassy in Bangkok regularly discusses the situation of Burmese refugees from all ethnic groups with the office of the UNHCR. The Royal Thai Government are not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees and do not give refugee status to refugees from any of the Burmese ethnic groups, including the Shan. There are, however, more than 150,000 Burmese refugees in the area. We have not had any recent discussions with the Royal Thai Government or other Association of South East Asian Nations countries about the status or treatment of Shan refugees.
Sierra Leone
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made in pursuit of ensuring that tribal chiefs in Sierra Leone remain neutral in forthcoming elections. [68147]
Mr. McCartney: Our high commission in Freetown has repeatedly reinforced the importance of political neutrality to the paramount and district chiefs.
We have also made clear to the Sierra Leonean Government that we expect to see open access for all parties to the electorate across the whole country. We are closely monitoring the situation in the run-up to the elections next year and will make strong representations to the Government if we feel that democratic principles are being endangered.
Ensuring credible elections in Sierra Leone is the task of the Sierra Leone National Electoral Commission (NEC). The UK has contributed to a UN Development Programme “basket fund” designed to provide co-ordinated donor support to the NEC. With this support, the NEC has undertaken a campaign to sensitise chiefs to their politically neutral electoral role. We understand the NEC will follow up this exercise with a further education campaign soon.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have made representations to the United Nations on ensuring that border disputes between Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are subject to mediation or action by the International Court. [68148]
Mr. McCartney: We have co-operated with the UN military and civilian missions in Sierra Leone and urge the peaceful resolution of the border dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea. We funded a UK expert to assist the Economic Community of West African States-initiated boundary delimitation exercise on the disputed border village of Yenga.
We are not aware of any active border disputes between Liberia and Sierra Leone or Guinea. We support the work of the Mano River Union to address any differences arising between the three countries.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking towards ensuring that elections to be held in Sierra Leone are (a) conducted on a free and fair basis and (b) scrutinised by international observers. [68149]
Mr. McCartney: The UK has made representations to the Government of Sierra Leone and the opposition parties to stress the importance of free and fair elections.
The Department for International Development are providing financial assistance to strengthen the National Electoral Commission (NEC) in two parts, the first £1.5 million of which has been disbursed. The funds provided will support training of the NEC staff and will help to conduct the boundary delimitation, voter registration and voter education activities. The UK sits on a steering committee for the electoral process and is working closely with the UN in-country and in New York to ensure wide and fair participation by the electorate, and competent management of the process by the NEC.
We are also supporting civil society preparations for elections including a proposal to use the Radio UN facilities as an independent broadcaster for voter education and public service purposes.
We anticipate that there will be a need for international observers for the elections. We will consider the precise details once the dates are known.
Sudan
Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how his Department is attempting to secure peace in Darfur. [68669]
Mr. McCartney: The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to bring peace to Darfur. In the absence of a peace agreement we have been a leading supporter of the African Union mission (AMIS) there, contributing over £50 million. The African Union (AU) has done a good job in improving security in the region. But the situation is evolving and a more multi-disciplinary approach is now needed. We therefore support handover to a UN mission when AMIS's current mandate expires on 30 September. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in constant contact at Ministerial level with the AU, UN and on a bilateral basis with those nations taking key roles in the peace process.
Only a political solution will bring lasting peace and security to Darfur. We fully support the AU-led peace talks in Abuja and are pressing the parties to reach a deal as soon as possible. We have had a permanent presence throughout the talks since March in the form of a high-level Special Representative. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development arrived in Abuja on 2 May to support the negotiations and help achieve a deal. We are urging the parties to reach an agreement without further delay, on the basis of the AU's draft peace agreement text.
Uganda
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of reports that a legal adviser to President Museveni of Uganda used a rifle to intimidate civilians and attack voters in the run up to the election in March. [68410]
Mr. McCartney: A Ugandan newspaper published a photograph on 24 February which appeared to show President Museveni's legal adviser, Fox Odoi, brandishing a firearm over a number of people who were lying on the ground, surrounded by armed police officers.
Fox Odoi was questioned by the police on 25 February and arrested on 26 February. He was granted bail on 28 February. We understand that the Director of Public Prosecutions is now considering the case.
In the run-up to the elections on 23 February the UK made clear the importance we attached to peaceful and lawful campaigning. We look forward to a thorough investigation of this incident. My hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) was present as special envoy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the duration of the election.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of reports that the Ugandan army used
armoured vehicles to intimidate opposition supporters and injure civilians in the run up to the election in March. [68411]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that the then Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, South (Ian Pearson) gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 18 April 2006, Official Report, Column 92-3W.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2006, Official Report, column 92W, on Uganda, what assessment she has made of President Museveni's comments regarding the effect of aid donors' decisions on the building of two dams on the power shortage in Uganda; and if she will make a statement. [69293]
Mr. McCartney: Speaking on 1 May, President Museveni suggested that the 6(th )Ugandan Parliament and donors were responsible for preventing the construction of two dams, which was the cause of the current electricity power crisis in Uganda.
The World Bank and other donors did not block the construction of the Bujagali dam and have confirmed their commitment to support the Government of Uganda's plan to develop the country's energy sector. The Ugandan Government have announced their intention to construct a dam at Karuma but detailed feasibility and financing studies have yet to commence.
As my hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs set out in his reply to the hon. Member on 18 April 2006, Official Report, column 92W, our view is that the current drought coupled with reports of over-abstraction of water from Lake Victoria to generate power are causing the current problems.
West Papua
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the reports of mistreatment of native Papuans and Christians in West Papua; and if she will make a statement. [69298]
Mr. McCartney: The isolated nature of some areas of the province of Papua makes it difficult to establish a clear picture, but we investigate any credible reports of human rights abuses in the province of Papua. We have no firm evidence of widespread mistreatment of native Papuans and/or Christians. Officials from our Embassy in Jakarta visit Papua regularly and meet local officials, academics, journalists and non-governmental organisations. We are also in regular contact with Papuan groups in the UK. We raise cases of concern with the Government of Indonesia and ask them to follow up substantiated allegations.
We regularly encourage the Indonesian Government to allow access to Papua for media organisations. We understand that the BBC correspondent in Jakarta has been given permission to visit Papua this month. We welcome this.
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