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18 Oct 2007 : Column 1318W—continued
Nigeria: Elections
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records the Government holds on the role of UK Government agencies in post-independence elections in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [158448]
Mr. Jim Murphy: From the search tools available to us we understand that all Foreign and Commonwealth Office (or its preceding departments) information selected for permanent preservation relating to the post-independence elections held in Nigeria in December 1964 and March 1965, and any UK Government Agency role in them, are held in The National Archives. The National Archives Catalogue showed the following documents as relevant: D035/10462, C0657 and C0592.
Palestinians: Politics and Government
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2007, Official Report, columns 2212-3W, on Palestinians: politics and government, what decisions have been made on the future UK contribution to strengthening the Palestinian security forces; and if he will make a statement. [157532]
David Miliband: As my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East said previously, we are committed to security sector reform and will continue to work with President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad to strengthen the Palestinian security forces. We welcome the steps that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has taken to improve security and stand ready to help where we can.
We are working closely with the PA and the US security coordinator, General Dayton. We continue to provide a police adviser, training adviser and military liaison officer to his team. We fully support the EU civil police training mission and welcome its proposed expansion. We are currently reviewing our support to the security sector and are working with the PA and international partners to identify opportunities. We will keep the House informed.
Poland: Homosexuality
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his (a) European Union and (b) Council of Europe counterparts on Poland’s adherence to human rights and equality obligations, with particular reference to the position of homosexuals; what the outcome was of these discussions; and if he will make a statement. [154184]
David Miliband: I have not discussed this issue with EU and Council of Europe counterparts.
Despite statements made by the former Education Minister, Roman Giertych, on gay rights, the current government has not passed any laws or introduced any policies that discriminate against homosexuals. For the last two years, gay rights marches have taken place in Warsaw without incident.
The EU has a number of institutions and mechanisms designed to protect citizens’ human rights. Poland is a member of the EU and the Council of Europe, and as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights is obliged to adhere to its provisions.
The UK also plays a full role in the Council of Europe in helping to ensure uniformity of the application and implementation of Human Rights throughout Europe including EU member states.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in (a) Darfur and (b) Kordofan. [157368]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Sudan remains a top international priority for the UK. The UN Security Council unanimously agreed a UK sponsored resolution authorising a hybrid UN and African Union (AU) peacekeeping force. The UN and AU have also set a date for political talks for Darfur in Libya at the end of this month.
Despite this, the situation in Darfur remains precarious. In recent days, there has been more violence against the people of Darfur and against the AU peacekeepers sent there to protect them. Humanitarian access is shrinking.
We are pressing the UN and AU to deploy the hybrid force fully, rapidly and effectively. We have called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities in Darfur, not to escalate regional tensions by mounting attacks in Kordofan or any other region outside Darfur, and attend political talks starting later this month.
We have a responsibility to show the people of Darfur the benefits of peace. We have made clear that when political and security conditions are right, we will work with others in the international community to ensure there is a viable recovery programme for Darfur that enables people to rebuild their lives.
Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist in bringing peace to Abyei in Sudan. [157371]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government are working with the UN on an early recovery strategy for conflict areas between North and South Sudan such as Abyei. This would be implemented once both sides agree the demarcation of Abyei.
However, the National Congress Party and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement have failed to agree a solution for Abyei.
We have raised Abyei in our contacts with the Government of Sudan and through our membership of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation oversight body—the Assessment and Evaluation Commission.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with contributing nations to the African Union Force to persuade them not to withdraw troops from the African Union Mission in Sudan force in Darfur. [157370]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Although many countries, contributing troops to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), were justifiably concerned by the recent attacks against AMIS troops in Darfur, none have publicly stated they will withdraw troops from Darfur in response. We are in regular contact with African and other potential troop contributors to the African Union/United Nations hybrid peacekeeping force for Darfur, to facilitate rapid and effective deployment of the force.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the UK has made to the Government of Sudan on implementing the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement with the full deployment of Eastern Front troops; and what further steps have been taken to ensure the integration and rehabilitation of the troops. [158153]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We regularly raise the implementation of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement with Government of Sudan officials in Khartoum.
UN Development Programme has completed the registration of troops for ‘Demobilisation, Disarmament and Re-integration’ and is now drawing up an economic mapping and reintegration strategy, after which it will seek funding from donors.
Tibet
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2007, Official Report, column 534W, on Tibet, what estimate he has made of the proportion of applications from journalists for permission to enter Tibet which have been successful. [159320]
Dr. Howells: We are not aware of any unsuccessful applications from foreign correspondents seeking permission to enter Tibet. However, a small number of journalists have reported harassment or attempts to restrict reporting by security officials once in Tibet. We continue to urge the Chinese Government to ensure the new regulations for foreign correspondents are fully implemented across the whole of China, including in Tibet.
Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to prepare a long-term economic recovery package for Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [157386]
David Miliband: The current economic crisis is the direct result of poor economic policies implemented by the government of Zimbabwe. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said that Britain is ready to contribute its share to supporting recovery in Zimbabwe. We are working with the international donor community and with multinational institutions to promote a co-ordinated approach. This will include measures to stabilise the economy and move towards sustainable recovery, reduce Zimbabwe's debt, help skilled people return, renovate schools and hospitals and support fair land reform. But Zimbabwe would need to implement fundamental policy and administrative reforms before the UK and the international community could credibly provide such assistance.
Zimbabwe: Politics and Government
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the political situation in Zimbabwe and the risks to civilians who oppose the Zimbabwe Government; and if he will make a statement. [158045]
Mr. Jim Murphy:
The political situation in Zimbabwe is appalling and the economic situation dire.
President Mugabe rules by force and fear. We, along with EU partners, regularly raise our concerns with the government about their catastrophic economic policies and systematic human rights’ violations, including torture and arbitrary arrest; and the brutal consequences for those who oppose President Mugabe's regime. We will continue to offer support to human rights defenders, through programme funding and by attending trials and visiting victims of abuse in hospital. We will also continue to work with our international partners to encourage policy change in Zimbabwe and to provide humanitarian aid to keep vulnerable Zimbabweans alive.
Zimbabwe: Travel Restrictions
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the Government’s policy that Zimbabwean Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono be put on the EU list of those subject to an EU travel ban and assets freeze. [157522]
David Miliband: We have already argued for Gideon Gono to be added to the EU list and will do so again. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has excluded Gono from the UK.
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