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23 Oct 2006 : Column 1620W—continued
EU Member States (Visa Requirements)
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the governments of (a) Bulgaria and (b) Romania on the visa requirements that will be imposed on (i) UK citizens and (ii) UK subjects on the accession of these states to the European Union. [92767]
Mr. Hoon: The Secretary of State has not discussed these requirements with the Bulgarian or Romanian authorities.
There is currently no visa requirement for British citizens travelling to either Bulgaria or Romania for a stay under 90 days. For Bulgaria, if British citizens wish to stay beyond 90 days, they must obtain a visa prior to their stay. For Romania, British citizens must apply for temporary Residence Permits from the Passport Office for Foreigners in Bucharest. Following EU accession, EU legislation on the right of Free Movement of Persons will apply.
British subjects travelling to Bulgaria or Romania, must obtain a visa prior to travel. This will continue to apply following EU accession.
Immigration Cases
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when HM high commission, Islamabad, received copies of the appeal decision in the case of Mr. M.A.S. (reference S1312876; IM/29409/2006), husband of Mrs. N. B. of Aylesbury; when the high commission intends to act on the immigration judge’s ruling; and if she will make a statement. [95402]
Dr. Howells: The visa section in Islamabad has no record of receiving the appeal determination in this case. UKvisas has requested that the determination be despatched as soon as possible so that the visa section in Islamabad can act on the immigration judge’s ruling.
Israel
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make inquiries to the Israeli authorities about the hold up at Ashdod port of specialist equipment supplied through the UNESCO programme for heritage restoration work in the Old City of Jerusalem; and if she will make a statement. [93147]
Dr. Howells: Staff from our consulate general in Jerusalem have contacted United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, who explained that the delay was due to Israeli public holidays. They expect the issue to be resolved within a matter of days.
Middle East
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the ban which has been imposed by the Israeli military on Palestinian students from the West Bank taking up places at Israeli universities. [95368]
Dr. Howells: We are aware of one case where a Palestinian student has been unable to attend an Israeli university. This has been due to freedom of movement restrictions. We remain concerned about Israel Defence Force restrictions on the movement of Palestinian students from the West Bank to Israeli universities, just as we are concerned about the freedom of movement of all Palestinian individuals. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli Government.
Nigeria
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Nigeria about (a) press freedom, (b) civil liberties and (c) human rights. [93528]
Mr. McCartney: We raise any specific concerns about human rights, or other restrictions, directly with the Nigerian Government. Two recent examples were:
in May 2006, officials from our high commission in Abuja joined with EU partners, in making representations to the Nigerian Government on a homosexuality Bill stressing that, if adopted, it would be incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties;
in June 2006, the high commission in Abuja issued a statement expressing our concern about the detention by the Nigerian authorities of two journalists who had written a derogatory article about the purchase of a new presidential plane.
Both issues were resolved satisfactorily.
We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Nigeria and we will raise any further shortcomings with the appropriate authorities as and when they arise.
North Korea
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the UK will take in the enforcement of the provisions of Paragraph 8 of UN Security Council Resolution 1718 regarding (a) the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), through their territories or by their nationals, of proscribed items, (b) the freezing of funds and financial assets linked to DPRK nuclear or weapons-related programmes and (c) the inspection of cargo to and from the DPRK. [95668]
Margaret Beckett: The UK strongly supported and co-sponsored UN Security Resolution 1718 (2006) condemning the announced nuclear test by DPRK, and is fully committed to implementation of the sanctions. The UK will be implementing and enforcing the provision relating to the export to DPRK of proscribed items through the UK’s existing arrangements for export controls. The freezing of funds and financial assets will be implemented through secondary legislation, consistent with other UN sanctions regimes. The UK is currently discussing with its international partners what steps are appropriate in relation to the provision on cargo inspections.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea; and if she will make a statement. [96170]
Mr. McCartney: The UK strongly supported and co-sponsored UN Security Resolution 1718 (2006) condemning the announced nuclear test by Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), and is fully committed to implementation of the sanctions. The UK will be implementing and enforcing the provision relating to the export to DPRK of proscribed items through the UK’s existing arrangements for export controls. The freezing of funds and financial assets will be implemented through secondary legislation, consistent with other UN sanctions regimes. The UK is currently discussing with its international partners what steps are appropriate in relation to the provisions of UNSCR 1718 (2006).
Occupied Territories
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of trends in refusals by the Israeli Government of permits for Palestinians holding foreign passports to enter, re-enter or continuously reside in the Occupied Territories. [95346]
Dr. Howells: Since spring 2006 the Israeli authorities have been more strictly enforcing entry procedures towards foreign nationals who wish to visit the Occupied Territories. We estimate that hundreds of foreign nationals have been refused entry. Our embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 21 August.
Pakistan
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether she has made representations to the Pakistan authorities about the effect on gender equality of the Hudood Ordinance; and if she will make a statement. [94925]
Dr. Howells: UK officials, along with our EU partners, have made repeated calls—most recently in June of this year—for the Government of Pakistan to repeal the Hudood Ordinances and place any necessary sections in the Pakistan Penal Code. The Government of Pakistan introduced welcome proposals for the reform of the Hudood Ordinances (the “Protection of Women” Bill) in the National Assembly in August 2006. However, in the face of significant parliamentary opposition, the Government have had to delay passage of the Bill. With our EU partners we will continue to encourage the Government of Pakistan to pass these reforms as soon as possible.
Russia
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received about the jamming of BBC radio services in Russia. [94548]
Mr. Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not received any representations regarding the jamming of BBC radio services in Russia and the BBC is not aware of any recent efforts to jam its services in Russia. Earlier this year, AM/MW transmissions were briefly interrupted because of a regulatory issue. However, the matter was speedily resolved. All transmissions have since been operating as normal.
Somalia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the regional implications of the Union of Islamic Courts gaining control of Mogadishu and Kismayo, Somalia. [94305]
Mr. McCartney: The security situation in Somalia remains extremely fragile and further conflict could have serious implications for stability in the Horn of Africa. We continue to believe that the Transitional Federal charter for Somalia and the institutions created under it are the only existing mechanism for restoring long-term stability. This is the mechanism approved by the UN. We continue to urge all parties inside and outside Somalia to refrain from action that could provoke violence, to respect the UN arms embargo on Somalia and to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue under the Khartoum process.
South Africa
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the expropriations of farm land in South Africa. [94550]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 October 2006, Official Report, column 1249W.
Special Forces
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her policy is on the use by her Department of persons who have resigned from the SAS or SBS to carry out operations abroad; and what accountability procedures apply in such cases. [95299]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 19 October 2006]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a strict code of conduct governing the employment of all contractual staff. Details of the employment of contract staff are, like those applying to its full-time employees, confidential.
Special Operations
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will ensure that all operations carried out by the Inc., its successor bodies, or other similar units are subject to the same rules of accountability as apply to operations carried out officially by MI6. [95300]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 19 October 2006]: My responsibility for the work of the Secret Intelligence Service is set out in the Intelligence Services Act 1994. There are well-established procedures for ensuring compliance with the terms of this and other relevant legislation, and for the accountability of the service. These procedures encompass any person, including any UK Crown servant, acting in support of the service in the carrying out of its functions under the Act.
It is the long-standing policy of the Government not to comment on operational intelligence matters or the activities of UK Special Forces.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make it her policy to state where it is the case that members of the Inc. or similar bodies have been involved when asked whether British military personnel are involved in an operation. [95302]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 19 October 2006]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him today (UIN 95300).
Sri Lanka
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the bombing of the orphanage at Mullaitivu in Sri Lanka. [95787]
Dr. Howells: We are seriously concerned about the deterioration of human rights in Sri Lanka in recent months. Any abuse of human rights is to be deplored, and it is essential that all parties to the conflict refrain from actions that may result in violations of human rights. We have raised our concerns with the Sri Lankan Government at the highest levels, and our high commissioner in Colombo presses Sri Lankan Ministers regularly on these issues.
We note reports that at least sixty adolescents have died following bombing by the Sri Lanka Airforce of the Sencholai compound in Mullaitivu. It is tragic that so many lives, particularly of young people, have been lost in such circumstances. The full facts and circumstances of the bombing are not yet clear, and it is vital to establish the truth of this and other recent allegations not least for the relatives of those killed and injured. The frequent inability to establish the full circumstances and truth of such incidents is a clear and recurrent source of frustration to those directly affected and serves to increase the concern of the international community who are monitoring the situation closely. For this reason, we welcome President Rajapakse's initiative for a national commission to inquire into recent killings, disappearances and abductions in Sri Lanka and a panel of international observers to oversee the process. We agree with the views expressed in September by the UN rapporteur on extra-judicial killing that such a process must be independent, credible and empowered to make a difference.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the UN on whether a Chapter VIII intervention into Darfur would be possible. [94717]
Mr. McCartney: We believe a UN peacekeeping force, with Chapter VII UN Charter powers, is best placed in the long-term to ensure resolution of the appalling Darfur conflict. We are, with international partners, pressing the Government of Sudan to accept such a force. We are therefore not currently considering a Chapter VIII Article 53 operation, whereby the Security Council could authorise enforcement action by a regional organisation such as the African Union
and its Mission in Sudan (AMIS) force. But as Article 52 of Chapter VIII permits regional arrangements to undertake the peaceful settlement of disputes, AMIS already is a Chapter VIII operation, which we have strongly supported. It has and continues to play a vital role.
Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she plans to take to prevent further conflict in Darfur after the expiration of the African Union's extended peacekeeping mandate. [94767]
Mr. McCartney: A UN peacekeeping force, as foreseen in UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1706, is best placed to prevent further conflict in Darfur. We are working with our Partners at the UN to establish this force, including by engaging with the Government of Sudan to agree to its deployment.
In the meantime we are urging the Government of Sudan and rebels to stop the fighting, and to commit to a political process to create a permanent end to conflict. The Government and the non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) must resume political dialogue to provide a peaceful resolution to this crisis. To this end my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development met President Bashir in Khartoum on 16 September to press Sudan to accept a UN force. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, raised Darfur with Foreign Ministers during the UN General Assembly, 18-22 September, to secure sustained pressure on Khartoum to comply with UNSCRs 1593 and 1706.
The UK is also supporting the African Union to implement the DPA. We have seconded a team of communications experts to help them publicise the DPA's benefits to the people of Darfur, and we are doing this directly through the BBC World Service Trust's Darfur Lifeline Radio.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential for using a UN Chapter VIII to mandate the African Union deployment in Darfur. [95068]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) today (UIN 94717).
UN Human Rights Council
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are deployed to represent the UK at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva; and what reports of their activities are published. [96335]
Mr. McCartney: The number of staff representing the UK at the UN Human Rights Council is determined for each session based on the session’s agenda and workload. At the Council’s second regular
session, 19 September to 6 October, the UK delegation was led by the UK Permanent Representative in Geneva, supported by around 10 staff in Geneva over the course of the three week session.
There is no formal, public report of the delegation’s activities. However, the delegation’s participation in the Council’s open plenary meetings is of course public. We discuss our work before and during each session with non governmental organisations and others. The delegation’s activities are also covered in other reporting mechanisms; for example the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2006 Annual Human Rights Report described some of the work done at the Council’s first regular and two Special Sessions.
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