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9 Oct 2006 : Column 457W—continued
http://wwwfco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1119522594750.
Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation has been made to express the UK Government's concerns about the unrest that broke out from 22 July about the water blockade in Vakarai, Sri Lanka. [91577]
Dr. Howells: We have been seriously concerned at the escalation of violence and the consequent serious deterioration of the situation in the north and east of Sri Lanka over the recent months which has resulted in many hundreds of deaths, including of civilians, and the displacement of over 200,000 people. Throughout this period, we have made this clear in meetings at the highest levels with the Government of Sri Lanka, and also to political representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. We have urged all parties to show restraint. We participated in an EU demarche in August on the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation. We also met the leader of the Sri Lankan opposition (United National Party), and stressed the importance of political consensus in working towards a solution that satisfies the concerns and legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans. We are in close contact with the Government of Norway and underline to both sides our full support for their efforts as peace process facilitators.
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans she has to continue to encourage all parties in Sri Lanka to reach a peaceful settlement. [91714]
Dr. Howells: We are deeply concerned at the recent escalation in violence in Sri Lanka which has caused a serious deterioration of the situation in the north and east of Sri Lanka over recent months which has resulted in many hundreds of deaths, including of civilians and the displacement of over 200,000 people. Throughout this period we have made this clear in meetings at the highest levels with the Government of Sri Lanka, and also to political representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. We have urged all parties to show restraint.
We welcome recent initiatives for talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. We support the efforts of the Government of Norway to bring the parties together for talks, in its role as facilitator of the Sri Lanka peace process and we are in close contact with them. The UK continues to support the view
expressed recently by the Co-Chairs (EU, US, Norway, Japan) that negotiation and political commitment is the only viable route to a cessation of the current hostilities. And, a longer-term resolution of the conflict that takes full account of the legitimate demands of all communities within a democratic and stable Sri Lanka that fully observes human rights norms.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the implications of the executions of 17 aid workers in Sri Lanka; and whether these actions can be classified as a war crime. [92118]
Dr. Howells: The loss of life in recent incidents including, but not limited to, the killing of the 17 Action Contre la Faim workers in Muttur is tragic. The full facts and circumstances of these killings remain unclear. Until they are established, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the status of this case. It is vital that a thorough and credible investigation be completed. The Sri Lankan authorities are currently carrying out an investigation. They have requested foreign experts to provide technical assistance; this is to be provided by the Australian Government.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action she (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to uphold the United Nations resolution in relation to Sri Lanka. [92119]
Dr. Howells: UN Security Council resolution 1612 deals with the recruitment of child soldiers, and calls for the monitoring of this practice in a number of countries including, Sri Lanka. Officials regularly make clear that the use of child soldiers in Sri Lanka cannot be tolerated and will continue to make such representations. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has identified the rights of the child as one of its top three human rights priorities. The UK has supported the establishment of a UN monitoring and reporting mechanism on children affected by armed conflict and is actively involved in the UN Security Council working group on children and armed conflict. We welcome the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s special representative on children and armed conflict, and promote the ratification of the UN convention on the rights of the child and its optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to Commonwealth (a) countries and (b) organisations to secure a peaceful resolution of the situation in Sri Lanka. [92120]
Dr. Howells: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials maintain a regular dialogue on various issues including the situation in Sri Lanka with their counterparts in the region. We welcome the position of the Indian Government following the recent escalation of violence in Sri Lanka in calling on President Rajapakse to bring an end to the killing of Tamil civilians and make clear his vision of devolution. Like the UK, India is a strong supporter of Norway’s role as facilitator of the peace process.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made no specific representations to the Commonwealth as a whole on this subject, but officials are in regular contact with the Commonwealth Secretariat on a range of issues including the Sri Lankan conflict.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the situation in Sri Lanka and the status of the ceasefire agreement of 2002; and what actions the UK government is taking to ensure that the ceasefire is upheld. [92121]
Dr. Howells: We are deeply concerned at the recent escalation in violence in Sri Lanka that has caused a serious deterioration of the situation in the north and east of Sri Lanka over recent months, which has resulted in many hundreds of deaths, including of civilians and the displacement of over 200,000. Throughout this period we have made and continue to make this clear in meetings at the highest levels with the Government of Sri Lanka and also to political representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Samaraweera and senior Sri Lankan officials at Chequers on 31 August for talks on the security situation in Sri Lanka and the state of the peace process.
The recent violence will not solve internal differences nor bring sustainable peace. All sides need to exercise restraint and act in a constructive and patient way. We believe it is essential that the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE live up to the commitments they made as part of the Ceasefire Agreement, and restated at talks in Geneva in February to stop the violence, human rights abuses and bloodshed.
We welcome recent initiatives for talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. We support the efforts of the Government of Norway to bring the parties together for talks, in its role as the facilitator of the Sri Lanka peace process and we are in close contact with them. Negotiation is the only viable route to a cessation of the current hostilities and a longer-term resolution of the conflict that takes full account of the legitimate demands of all communities within a democratic and stable Sri Lanka that fully observes human rights norms.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action she is prepared to take to ensure that (a) United Nations and (b) Norwegian monitors continue to work in Sri Lanka. [92122]
Dr. Howells: The Government are not aware of any request by the Government of Sri Lanka for the UN or its agencies to leave the country or of any plan by the UN to do so. We understand that UN agencies are present throughout the country. We fully support the valuable work they are undertaking and together with EU and international partners have strongly pressed the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to guarantee free access for the relief agencies and for humanitarian aid to people and areas in need.
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and its Scandinavian personnel remain a vital element of the Cease-Fire Agreement. We fully support their work and the strong efforts made over recent months to ensure the SLMMs continued operation.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the UN and (b) the African Union Mission in Sudan on strategies to disarm the Janjawid. [88110]
Mr. McCartney: The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and various UN Security Council Resolutions require the Government of Sudan to disarm the Janjaweed. The DPA also gives the African Union Mission in Sudan a supervisory role in this. On Friday 23 June, the Government of Sudan publicly began disarming a small group of Janjaweed in South Darfur but no further disarmament has taken place so far as we can ascertain. We welcomed this step and call on the Sudanese Government to intensify this work. We also call on them urgently to present a comprehensive plan for neutralising and disarming the Janjaweed, as the DPA requires them to do. We discuss this and other issues on implementing the DPA regularly with both the African Union and the United Nations.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations have been initiated to ascertain whether the allegations against peacekeepers in Gereida should be pursued. [88111]
Mr. McCartney: The original allegations of sexual abuse by African Union (AU) personnel were made by Channel 4. The AU established a committee to investigate the allegations which is currently finalising its report. The UK is urging the AU to take a transparent approach and last raised the issue directly with the AU on 21 July.
We are deeply concerned by these allegations. Abuse of vulnerable civilians by the very people who have been sent to protect them is something that we cannot tolerate. Responsibility lies with AU member states as well as the African Mission in Sudan itself. The AU must send a strong signal that abuse will not be tolerated.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Sudan on the recent arrest in Torit Ehctein Equatina, Sudan; and if she will make a statement. [89499]
Mr. McCartney: Charles Locker, a Sudanese citizen, and executive director of the non-governmental organisation Manna Sudan, was arrested in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, on 5 July. He was detained for allegedly writing and publishing an article critical of the local government.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any discussions with the Government of Sudan on this issue. However, the UK, together with our partners in the international community, monitored the case
closely and were concerned that Mr. Locker was detained without charge and had no access to legal counsel. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Jan Pronk, visited him in jail during a visit to Torit in August and raised his case with the Governor of Eastern Equatoria. Mr. Locker was released on 4 September after spending 59 days in detention.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the EU position is on impunity for those accused of human rights abuses in Darfur. [89831]
Mr. McCartney: The EU has made it clear that there must be no impunity for those accused of human rights abuses in Darfur. In its Council Conclusions, it has regularly supported UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1593, which refers human rights abuses to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The EU calls on all parties in Sudan to co-operate fully with the ICC.
In its latest Council Conclusions of 12 September, the EU condemns the continuing violations of the cease-fire by all parties, the violence directed at the civilian population and the targeting of humanitarian assistance. The Council calls on the Government of Sudan to protect its citizens from all violence and to guarantee respect for human rights. The Council endorses the statement by the UN Secretary-General to the UN Security Council on 11 September. In his statement he urges the Government of Sudan to embrace the spirit of UNSCR 1706 and warns that those who decide and carry out policies leading to death and suffering in Darfur will be held accountable.
Syria
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with Syria regarding the situation in the Middle East. [90129]
Dr. Howells: Ministers have had no recent contact with their Syrian counterparts. However, we do have contact with the Syrians through our respective Embassies, and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have discussed the situation in the Middle East with Syrian officials throughout the crisis in Lebanon.
Thailand
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British tourists have been murdered in Thailand in each year since 1997. [92240]
Dr. Howells: The information requested is provided in the table as follows:
| British nationals murdered in Thailand | |
| (1) as of 3 October 2006. | |
These figures are inclusive of British nationals both resident and on holiday in Thailand. It is not possible to distinguish between tourists and residents as many British nationals, who consider themselves residents in Thailand, remain in the country on tourist visas.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) recent terrorist attacks in Southern Thailand and (b) security situation in Thailand. [92336]
Mr. McCartney: We remain concerned by the continuing violence in the southern provinces of Thailand. We continually monitor the security situation there and in Thailand generally. This is reflected in our travel advice, which is reviewed regularly.
The full travel advice for Thailand is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c-Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386505
Travel Advice is also available by calling 0845 850 2829.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the political situation in Thailand. [92497]
Dr. Howells: The Thai armed forces took power in Thailand through a coup during the evening of 19 September. The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) announced the suspension of the constitution and the imposition of martial law. On 2 October the CDR appointed former Privy Counsellor, General Surayud Chulanond, as interim Prime Minister and promulgated an interim constitution. The CDR has set out a timetable for the drafting of a substantive, new constitution and the holding of elections within 12 months. General Surayud announced his new cabinet on 8 October.
We regret the coup, which marks a setback for the evolution of Thailand’s democracy. Along with our EU and other international partners, we urge the Thai authorities to comply with their human rights obligations, hold elections and restore accountable democracy to allow the people of Thailand as a whole to choose their government, as soon as possible.
Turkmenistan
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) she, (b) officials in her Department and (c) UK representatives in Turkmenistan have had with members and representatives of the government of Turkmenistan concerning the (i) grounds and (ii) conditions of detention of (A) Annankurban Armanklychev, (B) Ogulsapar Muradova and (C) Sapardurdy Khadjiev; and if she will make a statement. [89484]
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