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18 Feb 2008 : Column 179W—continued
Simon Mann
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the apparent abduction to Equatorial Guinea of Simon Mann by the authorities in Zimbabwe; what representations the Government have made to both countries on his behalf; and what action it plans to take to secure his safe return. [185902]
Meg Munn: While Simon Mann was in Zimbabwe our embassy in Harare made representations at the highest level to the Zimbabwean authorities that due legal process should be followed, and received assurances that this would be the case. In the event, Simon Mann was removed from Zimbabwe without a further appeal being heard.
Once it was confirmed that Mr. Mann had been extradited to Equatorial Guinea, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office contacted the Equatorial Guinean embassy in London on 5 February to request consular access. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to the UK, Mr. Agustin Nze Nfumu, on 7 February, and telephoned the ambassador on 11 February to once again request consular access to Mr. Mann.
Consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea is provided by our deputy high commission in Lagos. In addition to my noble Friend the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown's actions, our
consul in Lagos travelled to the capital, Malabo, on 5 February to seek immediate access to Simon Mann and made contact with the appropriate authorities. Access was granted on 12 February.
In seeking consular access to Simon Mann, the Government have reminded Equatorial Guinea of his right to a fair trial and of its obligation to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. We have received assurances to this effect.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will summon the ambassadors of Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe to discuss the apparent abduction of Simon Mann from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea. [185903]
Meg Munn: My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to the UK, Mr. Agustin Nze Nfumu, on 7 February to discuss Mr. Mann's case and request immediate consular access. He then telephoned the ambassador on 11 February to reiterate this request and stress the need for UK officials to be granted access to Mr. Mann. Consular access was granted on 12 February. UK officials will be in touch with the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea as the need arises.
Our concerns were conveyed to the Zimbabwean ambassador prior to Mr. Mann's removal. Our primary concern at this point must be for Mr. Mann's immediate welfare.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions the Government have considered taking against (a) Equatorial Guinea and (b) Zimbabwe to ensure the safe return of Simon Mann. [185904]
Meg Munn: The Government have no plans to apply sanctions on the Governments of Equatorial Guinea or Zimbabwe in response to Simon Mann's removal. Our main concern must be for Mr. Mann's immediate welfare.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the United States Administration requesting it to exert its influence on Equatorial Guinea to secure the safe return of Simon Mann. [185905]
Meg Munn: The Government have no plans to make representations to the United States in relation to Simon Mann.
United States officials visited Simon Mann in Black Beach Prison on 6 February 2008, at the invitation of the Equatorial Guinean authorities. While the visit by the United States afforded an opportunity to check on Mr. Mann's welfare and safety, we nevertheless made clear to the government of Equatorial Guinea that such a visit was not a substitute for UK consular access.
UK consular access to Mr. Mann was granted on 12 February. We will continue to visit Mr. Mann in prison in line with our consular policy.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances were given by Zimbabwe to Her Majesty’s Ambassador that Simon Mann would not be transferred to Equatorial Guinea before the conclusion of his appeal process. [185906]
Meg Munn: Our embassy in Harare received assurances from the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including from the Acting Permanent Secretary, that due process would be followed regarding Mr. Mann’s extradition. We understand from Mr. Mann’s lawyer that he had indicated an intention to further appeal his extradition. In the event, Mr. Mann was removed from Zimbabwe without a further appeal being heard.
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Simon Mann and his treatment in (a) Zimbabwe and (b) Equatorial Guinea. [186480]
Meg Munn: British consular officials were allowed regular access to Simon Mann during his imprisonment in Harare and any concerns about his conditions were raised directly with the Zimbabwean authorities.
British consular officials visited Mr. Mann in prison in Malabo on 12 February. We have no reason to believe he has been mistreated in Equatorial Guinea. We will nevertheless seek to ensure that his treatment is in line with international standards.
In seeking consular access to Mr. Mann, the Government have reminded Equatorial Guinea of his right to a fair trial and of its obligation to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. We have received assurances to this effect.
We will continue to visit Mr. Mann in prison in line with our consular policy.
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have made representations to Equatorial Guinea on Simon Mann's treatment; and if he will make a statement. [186481]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office contacted the Equatorial Guinean embassy in London on 5 February to request consular access, once it was confirmed that Mr. Mann had been extradited from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea.
My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to the UK, Mr. Agustin Nze Nfumu, on 7 February, and telephoned the ambassador on 11 February to once again request consular access to Mr. Mann.
Consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea is provided by our Deputy High Commission in Lagos. Our consul in Lagos travelled to the capital, Malabo, on 5 February to seek immediate access to Mr. Mann and made contact with the Equatorial Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. Access was granted on 12 February.
In seeking consular access to Mr. Mann, the Government have reminded Equatorial Guinea of his right to a fair trial and of its obligation to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. We have received assurances to this effect.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the circumstances under which Simon Mann was transferred from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea. [186646]
Meg Munn: The exact circumstances of Simon Mann’s removal from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea remain unclear.
Mr. Mann was last known to be in Chikurubi prison on Wednesday 30 January. On 5 February, the Government of Equatorial Guinea confirmed that he had been transferred to their custody.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal advice he has obtained about the (a) current status of Simon Mann in captivity in Equatorial Guinea and (b) steps which the Government can take in international courts to secure his return. [186647]
Meg Munn: It is not the Government’s practice to disclose whether they have sought legal advice on a particular issue. Simon Mann is subject to legal proceedings under domestic Equatorial Guinean law. The conduct of those proceedings is a matter for Mr. Mann and his lawyers. We continue to provide Mr. Mann with assistance in line with our consular policy.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons he has been given for the refusal by the Government of Equatorial Guinea of access to Simon Mann by (a) lawyers and (b) UK diplomats. [186648]
Meg Munn: British consular officials were granted access and visited Simon Mann in prison on 12 February. We will continue to provide Mr. Mann with consular assistance.
We have been given assurances by the Equatorial Guinean authorities that Mr. Mann will be free to appoint a lawyer.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of his Department are in Equatorial Guinea with the task of protecting the interests of Simon Mann; and how long it is planned that they shall stay for that purpose. [186649]
Meg Munn:
Our deputy high commission in Lagos provides consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea. Once it was confirmed that Simon Mann was in Equatorial Guinea our consul in Lagos travelled to Malabo and sought immediate consular access to him. We were granted access and visited Mr. Mann in prison on 12 February. Our consul has now returned to Lagos. The consul will make further
visits to Malabo in future to visit Mr. Mann in prison and provide consular assistance. We also have an honorary consul in Malabo who can provide consular assistance.
Somalia: Armed Conflict
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in north-eastern Somalia following the recent attack on the port of Bossaso. [186864]
David Miliband: The security situation in north-eastern Somalia remains unstable. The recent attack on the port of Bossaso demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of attacks that can take place in Somalia, and the limited capacity of the Somali authorities to prevent such attacks.
The Government contribute to international efforts aimed at assisting the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to establish the rule of law, and to build functioning institutions that will enable them to tackle insecurity effectively.
Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the UK has put forward for strengthening the African Union Mission in Somalia. [186215]
Meg Munn: The Government support the strengthening of the African Union Mission in Somalia. The International Contact Group on Somalia, of which the UK is a member, called for the full and timely deployment of the AU Mission during their most recent meeting in Addis Ababa on 30 January 2008.
The UK’s financial commitment in supporting the African Union Mission in Somalia during the financial year 2007-08 is £8,300,000. This includes support for Ugandan and Burundian deployments and planned support for Nigerian deployment during 2008, which will strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia’s capability on the ground.
On 18 January, the African Union Peace and Security Council renewed the mandate of the AU Mission for a further six months. The UK is currently sponsoring a new UN Security Council Resolution to endorse that mandate.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Chairman of the African Union about its members providing support and assistance for the African Mission in Somalia. [186388]
Meg Munn: The Government welcome the appointment of Jakaya Kikwete, the President of the Republic of Tanzania, as the new chairperson of the African Union, during the African Union Summit held from 31 January to 2 February 2008.
Ministers discussed the African Union Mission in Somalia with the previous chairperson of the African Union, President Kufuor of Ghana, on several occasions. Support and assistance by African Union
members for the African Union Mission in Somalia is a key issue that Ministers will wish to raise with the new chairperson at the earliest opportunity.
Sri Lanka: Human Rights
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports the Government have received about allegations of the involvement of Colonel Karuna in the massacre of Sri Lankan police officers. [185389]
Dr. Howells: We are aware of reports of the massacre of approximately 600 police officers by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) in eastern Sri Lanka in 1990. Vinayagmoorthy Muralitharan (also known as Colonel Karuna) was reportedly a senior LTTE figure in the east at this time. The UK has continually expressed deep concern about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the timetable is for full implementation of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the delay in implementation. [186305]
Meg Munn: We are working very closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union to help achieve the goal of the UN-African Union hybrid mission in Darfur’s full deployment as soon as practicable. This will be extremely challenging as not all outstanding shortfalls, particularly helicopter capacity, have yet been filled. The UN-African Union hybrid mission in Darfur’s deployment to Darfur is one of the most complex and logistically difficult that the UN has ever undertaken.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008, Official Report, column 225W, on Sudan: peacekeeping operations, what plans he has to convene a further meeting on provision of the requisite units for the joint UN-AU hybrid force for Darfur. [186366]
Meg Munn: The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations meets regularly with UN member states in New York to discuss the joint UN-African Union hybrid force in Darfur. Following two meetings we arranged in January to focus on helicopters, in close conjunction with the UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations, we currently have no plans for further meetings on this topic. We continue to support all the UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations’ efforts to generate and deploy an effective force in Darfur.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has received reports of senior members of the Janjaweed Arab Militia being advisers or members of the Sudanese Government; and if he will make a statement. [186345]
Meg Munn: The Sudanese Government has announced that it has appointed Arab leader Musa Hilal as an adviser to the Minister of Federal Affairs. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right Lord Malloch-Brown, raised UK concerns over the appointment of Musa Hilal in meetings with representatives of the Government of Sudan that he met during his visit to Sudan on 28-31 January. He made clear that the appointment was inappropriate as Musa Hilal is subject to UN sanctions. We pressed for UN action on Musa Hilal's appointment at the UN Sanctions Committee on 1 February.
Weapons: Proliferation
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of EU member states in implementing effective export, transit, trans shipment and re-export controls, including appropriate laws and regulations in relation to counter-proliferation, as called for in EU Council Common Position 2005/329/PESC of 25 April 2005. [185080]
David Miliband: The EU Council Common Position 2005/329/PESC of 25 April 2005 relates to the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The UK and other EU member states take seriously the need to ensure rigorous implementation of effective export, transit, transhipment and re-export controls in order to strengthen the international non-proliferation system, including the NPT. We regularly discuss with EU and other partners ways to enhance national and international efforts to counter proliferation, including, inter alia, by strengthening the NPT and export control regimes such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group, in which all EU member states participate.
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