| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
5 Mar 2007 : Column 1647W—continued
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to raise the issue of human trafficking, particularly of women in Kachin State, with the régime in Burma; and what response has been received. [124154]
Mr. McCartney: We are aware of reports written by the Kachin Women's Association Thailand and Christian Solidarity Worldwide on this issue. On 24 January, I met representatives from the Chin and Kachin ethnic groups to discuss human rights violations, including human trafficking. We take every opportunity to raise human rights issues with the regime and remind them of their obligations to adhere to international human rights law.
I have raised the human rights situation regularly with the Burmese regime and other Governments in the region. On 15 June 2006, I called in the Burmese ambassador and on 5 July 2006 I wrote to the Burmese Foreign Minister, highlighting our many concerns, including issues such as human trafficking and the treatment of all Burma's ethnic groups. The Minister has not responded to my letter.
On 18 September 2006, I raised the serious human rights situation with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ambassadors, including the Burmese ambassador, and on 4 December 2006 with the ASEAN Secretary-General. I have also raised Burma with the Governments of China, India, Japan, Thailand and South Korea. I have discussed the human rights abuses taking place in Burma with Juan Méndez, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. I discussed Burma in detail with Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on 15 November 2006, following his visit to the country.
In addition, our ambassador in Rangoon regularly raises human rights with the regime, most recently when he met the Burmese Ministers for Planning and Immigration and the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister on 5 January.
We fully support all action in the UN, including in the Security Council, which helps to promote reform and positive change in Burma. We therefore co-sponsored the UN Security Council Resolution on Burma, with the United States, calling on the regime to bring an end to all human rights violations in Burma. This was put to the vote on 12 January. Nine members of the Security Council voted for the Resolution. However the Resolution was not adopted, as two permanent members of the Security Council—China and Russia—voted against, as did South Africa.
Disappointing though this result was, it is important to note that all Security Council members agreed that there were serious issues of concern in Burma. This, and the positive votes from a majority of Council partners, reflected the international community's deep concern over the plight of Burma's people. We will continue to work within the UN to ensure that Burma remains on the UN Security Council agenda.
The UK also helped draft the Resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 2006 which expressed grave concern about human trafficking.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will discuss violations of religious freedom in Burma with the UN's Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief. [124665]
Dr. Howells: The Government have not yet had the opportunity to discuss religious freedom in Burma with the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief. However, I have raised the human rights situation regularly with the Burmese regime and other Governments in the region. On 16 June 2006, I called in the Burmese ambassador, and on 5 July 2006 I wrote to the Burmese Foreign Minister, highlighting our many concerns, including the freedom to express religious belief. On 18 September 2006, I raised the serious human rights situation with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ambassadors, including the Burmese ambassador, and on 4 December 2006 with the ASEAN Secretary-General. I have also raised Burma with the Governments of China, India, Japan, Thailand and South Korea. I have discussed the human rights abuses taking place in Burma with Juan Mendez, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. I discussed Burma in detail with Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on 15 November 2006, following his visit to the country. On 24 January, I met representatives from the Burmese Chin and Kachin ethnic groups to discuss the many difficulties faced by their respective communities, including violations of their religious freedoms.
In addition, our ambassador in Rangoon regularly raises human rights with the regime, most recently when he met the Burmese Ministers for Planning and Immigration and the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister on 5 January.
We shall continue, bilaterally and with international partners, to urge the Burmese regime to pursue laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect and protect religious minorities from persecution and discrimination.
Capital Punishment
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Department is taking to support attempts at an EU level to press for a global moratorium on the use of capital punishment. [124645]
Mr. McCartney: We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle and are working with our EU partners towards universal abolition. This includes consideration of a death penalty initiative in the UN General Assembly. It has proven difficult in the past to secure a UN resolution calling for a global moratorium on the death penalty and it is important that we secure an acceptably strong text. We are discussing with EU partners how best to advance this.
Guinea
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Department is taking relating to the situation in Guinea; and if she will make a statement. [123826]
Mr. McCartney: We have been concerned by events in Guinea and regret the loss of life resulting from clashes between protesters and security forces. In conjunction with international partners, our ambassador in Conakry has made several representations to the Guinean Government expressing our concern and hope that all the issues can be resolved in a way acceptable to all. We note, and welcome, the lifting of martial law on 23 February and an ending to the strike. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. We are also keeping the consular situation under close review.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact which the instability in Guinea is having in the region; and if she will make a statement. [123827]
Mr. McCartney: There has been no substantial impact on the region by events in Guinea so far. However, we have concerns that if the situation substantially deteriorated again, there could be an impact on Guinea’s neighbouring countries. We therefore welcome the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States and regional heads of state in helping to mediate between the Guinean Government and the trade unions and opposition parties.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support her Department is giving to the Government of Guinea to help resolve the instability in that country; and if she will make a statement. [123828]
Mr. McCartney: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him today (UIN 123826).
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration is being given to possible military assistance to the Guinean Government; and if she will make a statement. [123847]
Mr. McCartney: We have no plans to provide military assistance to the Guinean Government.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of France regarding the situation in Guinea; and if she will make a statement. [123848]
Mr. McCartney: We have discussed the current situation in Guinea with French colleagues in Paris and in Conakry, and will continue to do so. Discussions have covered political events and also consular contingency planning should the situation deteriorate again.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in Guinea; and if she will make a statement. [123849]
Mr. McCartney: There have been no discussions regarding Guinea at the UN Security Council so far. The Secretary-General of the UN issued a statement on 22 January expressing grave concern at events. The statement can be found on the UN website at:
http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2417
I will also arrange for a copy to be sent to my hon. Friend and a copy will also be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given to facilitate a national dialogue to resolve the situation in Guinea; and if she will make a statement. [123852]
Mr. McCartney: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him today (UIN 123826).
Iraq: Airspace
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the American Government on the transfer of control of Iraqi airspace from American responsibility to that of Iraq. [124277]
Mr. McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any such discussions directly with the US Administration. The process of transferring control of Iraqi airspace to Iraq is being led by the US, on behalf of the Multi-National Force Iraq. Through the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office, it is working to build up the Government of Iraq's capacity to manage their own airspace. For our part, we have been providing support and training to Iraqi civilian air operations from and to Basra International airport.
Maldives
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of efforts of the Government of the Maldives to reach internationally accepted standards on (a) the democratic process, (b) a fair legal system and (c) a free and diverse media; and if she will make a statement. [125257]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers that my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade (Mr. McCartney) and I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 27 February 2007, Official Report, columns 1198-99W.
We welcome the statements by the Government of the Maldives that they are committed to a process of reform leading to multi-party democracy. While some progress has been made, there are still significant
obstacles. The Government have been encouraging a process of all-party talks to accelerate the reform process.
We remain concerned, however, about the Government of the Maldives’ approach towards people, including journalists, members of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party and others, who are active in promoting democratic change in the Maldives. The use of the judicial process in a seemingly politically motivated way is one of those concerns.
At the invitation of the Government of the Maldives, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Mr. Leandro Despouy, recently visited the Maldives to assist the Government in their implementation of judicial reforms. He has made a number of preliminary observations and will report his findings and recommendations for strengthening the Maldivian judiciary and assuring its independence to the UN Human Rights Council.
Somalia
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of recent civilian protest in Mogadishu on the stability of the Transitional Federal Government. [122855]
Mr. McCartney: We have noted that several civilian protests have taken place in Somalia, and particularly in Mogadishu, primarily against the presence of Ethiopian troops inside Somalia. We believe that the Transitional Federal Government’s (TFG) proposed National Reconciliation Congress offers the best chance to bring peace and stability to Somalia and help the TFG win the support of the Somali people. Our officials in the region have urged the TFG to ensure that they include all parts of Somali society in the congress. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, made the same point to President Yusuf of Somalia during his official visit to the UK from 20-23 February.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK has pledged to the African Union to establish AMISOM in Somalia; and what assistance the UK is planning to provide to (a) the National Security and Stabilization Plan and (b) the part of the plan relating to the re-establishment and training of all-inclusive Somali security forces. [124065]
Mr. McCartney: In addition to advisory support to the African Union (AU) through our Representation to the AU, based in our Embassy in Addis Ababa, we are considering a significant financial contribution in this financial year to help fund the cost of the mission. We will consider further support as detailed plans for the mission develop.
We welcomed the adoption, by the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia, of the National Security and Stabilization Plan last July. The Transitional Federal Government now have a window of opportunity to implement the plan. We will work
with our international partners to identify areas where we will be able to assist with the development of Somalia’s security sector.
Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has held with her counterparts in African Union nations on supplying troops to the peacekeeping mission in Somalia. [122864]
Mr. McCartney: Our officials in several African Union (AU) states have been in touch with their host Governments over possible troop contributions to the AU Mission in Somalia.
We welcome the unanimous adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1744, sponsored by the UK, on 20 February 2007, which authorises the mission.
Zimbabwe: Diamonds
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the Zimbabwean Government’s plan to nationalise the country’s diamond resources on UK interests in Zimbabwe. [124061]
Mr. McCartney: We are not aware of any firm action to nationalise the country’s diamond resources. However, we understand that the Government of Zimbabwe is currently considering the introduction of a new Bill enabling them to compel foreign owned companies to cede half their equity to indigenous owners across all industrial and commercial sectors. Our Embassy in Harare continues to monitor developments on this issue. We would of course oppose such a move as economically destructive.
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance
Mr. Heald: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2007, Official Report, column 1009W, on 10 Downing street: repairs and maintenance, what works are planned for the 2007 calendar year. [123781]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 9 October 2006, Official Report, column 5W, to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather).
Departments: Databases
Mr. Clegg: To ask the Prime Minister what databases are controlled by his Office; and what percentage of the data in each database he estimates is inaccurate or out of date. [124029]
The Prime Minister: My Office maintains a number of databases covering a range of internal administrative functions, including electronic record management.
Lords Lieutenant
Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister which Lords Lieutenant have been appointed since 2003. [123902]
The Prime Minister: A list of Lords Lieutenant, individual dates of appointment and expected retirement has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |