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24 Jun 2008 : Column 283W—continued
(c) the purposes of sentencing. Which are:
the punishment of offenders
the reform and rehabilitation of offenders
the protection of the public, and
the-making of reparation by offenders affected by their offences.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Human Rights: Iran
11. Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Iran on human rights. [213066]
Dr. Howells: The human rights situation in Iran is a major concern, and we remain committed to speaking out about this. Together with the EU, we have raised human rights concerns and specific cases with the Iranian authorities on at least 17 occasions this year. With strong UK support, the EU presidency has issued three public declarations in the past two weeks about the execution of juvenile offenders in Iran.
Responsibility to Protect
12. Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances the UK would seek to invoke the principle of Responsibility to Protect through the UN Security Council. [213067]
Dr. Howells: The Responsibility to Protect, as agreed in the context of the UN, applies to cases of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. We would therefore want to see Security Council action/discussion where such national authorities are not protecting their own population in such cases.
Republic of Somaliland
13. Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of democratic developments in the Republic of Somaliland. [213068]
Dr. Howells: I visited Somaliland last week and was impressed with the work proceeding to ensure free and fair elections are held in early 2009.
The postponement of Somaliland elections for a second time in April this year led to international donors suspending their funding of 75 per cent. of voter registration costs. But I am glad to say that a solution was agreed with the National Electoral Commission enabling funding to be reinstated once election preparations had been made. The authorities are making progress on this.
Burma
14. Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Burma. [213069]
Meg Munn: The recent referendum lacks any credibility and the new constitution cannot provide a sound basis for Burma’s future. The renewal of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest on 27 May demonstrates the regime’s determination to exclude legitimate political actors from the political process.
Only a process that includes all ethnic groups and political parties can lead to genuine national reconciliation. We will continue to work with regional and other international partners, including at the EU and UN, to encourage genuine democratic change.
Colombia
15. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department collects on trends in the numbers of politically-inspired deaths and disappearances in Colombia. [213070]
Dr. Howells: We collect information on murders and other abuses in Colombia from the United Nations, International Red Cross and a range of governmental and civil society organisations.
We are encouraged that homicides have fallen substantially over the past six years. However, too many people are killed or are victims of abuse, including trade unionists and human rights defenders. The Colombian Government are in no doubt of our concerns on these issues.
We are fighting to eradicate the impunity enjoyed by powerful individuals in Colombia who organise this murder, kidnapping and brutality.
Afghanistan
16. Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Afghanistan. [213071]
Dr. Howells: Since 2001 progress towards political stability in Afghanistan has been remarkable. There is now an elected government and parliament; local governance structures are in place; there will be a second round of elections in 2009. This offers the Afghan people a stable and democratic future. But it remains under threat from the Taliban. The UK will continue to support the Afghan government in delivering a better future for its people.
European Union
17. David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in the European Union. [213072]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out the Government’s position following the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty in a statement to the House on 16 June. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a further statement to the House on 23 June on the outcome of discussions on the situation at the European Council.
Democratic Development
18. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to promote and encourage further democratic development in countries where the majority of the population is Muslim. [213073]
Meg Munn: Muslim-majority countries, like others, are at different stages of development. Turkey and Indonesia are developing democracies where universal values apply in diverse cultural and social contexts. Other countries, such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, face challenges that require them to combine political reconciliation with military action, develop a strong and accountable state and practise effective government in all parts of the country. We support voices for positive and progressive democratic change.
Zimbabwe
19. Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for free and fair elections for the presidency of Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [213074]
Meg Munn: As my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have said, the violence, suspension of aid and the ongoing murder and intimidation of ordinary Zimbabweans are unacceptable. The regime lost all vestiges of legitimacy long ago. We continue to work through the EU, UN and African Union to press for solutions to the current electoral crisis that reflect the will of the people as they voted on 29 March.
Simon Mann
20. Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the fairness of the conditions for the trial of Simon Mann in Equatorial Guinea. [213075]
Meg Munn: We are following Mr. Mann’s trial closely.
We would take seriously concerns raised by Mr. Mann and would consider pursuing them with the Equatorial Guinea authorities.
Following repeated requests by Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, our consul in Lagos met Mr. Mann on 20 June.
Gaza-Israel Border Crossings
21. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation at Gaza-Israel border crossings; and if he will make a statement. [213076]
Dr. Kim Howells: The re-opening of the Israeli-Gaza crossings is essential to delivering an improved humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have condemned attacks on the crossings, which only serve to increase the suffering of Gazans and endanger the lives of Israelis.
The recent announcement of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel opens the prospect of an easing of both the security situation and human suffering. We urge all concerned to take this opportunity.
Sexual Exploitation: United Nations
22. Mr. David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps the Government have taken to prevent sexual exploitation of people by forces representing the United Nations. [213077]
Dr. Kim Howells: The Government take any cases of sexual abuse by UN forces extremely seriously. Peacekeepers play a brave and vital role in tackling conflict; we expect the highest standards of conduct. We support the UN's ‘zero tolerance’ approach to sexual exploitation, and are working with them to combat the problem. We fund the UN team that tackles misconduct by troops; conduct and discipline are integral to UK-sponsored peacekeeping training.
Lisbon Treaty
23. Mr. David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with European counterparts on the future of the Lisbon Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [213078]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out the Government's position following the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in a statement to the House on Monday 16 June. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a further statement to the House on Monday 23 June on the outcome of discussions on the situation at the European Council.
Sudan
24. Mr. David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent conflict in Abyei on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan. [213079]
Meg Munn: The fighting in Abyei could have posed a serious threat to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The National Congress Party and Sudan People's Liberation Movement have shown their commitment to the CPA by agreeing a Roadmap on 8 June to resolve the Abyei dispute, which has been an obstacle to CPA implementation. We are working with both parties and international partners to implement fully the Abyei Roadmap and the CPA.
Departmental Trade Unions
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which trades unions represent members of staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies. [212483]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its agencies recognise three trade unions as having the right to represent staff. These are: the Public and Commercial Services Union; the Diplomatic Services Association, which is a branch of the First Division Association; and Prospect.
Ethiopia: Armed Conflict
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the conflict in eastern Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State; what assessment he has made of the effect of this conflict on the security situation in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [212293]
Meg Munn: Since April 2007 the Ethiopian Government have been conducting counter-insurgency operations against the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State. We continue to receive reports, from Ethiopia’s Somali Region, of fighting between Ethiopian Government forces and the ONLF which has made it more difficult to respond to humanitarian problems in the area.
The conflict in Ethiopia’s Somali Region contributes to instability in the Horn of Africa sub-region, although we are unaware of any direct effects this conflict has on the security situation in Somalia.
France: State Visits
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2008, Official Report, column 1775W, on France: state visits, what the additional costs associated with the hosting the UK-France summit were. [211894]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The total cost of hosting the UK-France summit was just under £80,000, including costs relating to venue hire, transport, catering, interpretation, media and various miscellaneous costs.
Government Communication Headquarters: Photography
Mr. Harper:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2008, Official Report, column 667W, on Government Communication Headquarters: photography, how many prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act
1911 have been brought against those taking photographs of Government Communications Headquarters, Cheltenham; and if he will request the Crown Prosecution Service to investigate whether to prosecute the BBC for displaying such photographs online. [213509]
David Miliband: I am not aware of any prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act 1911 in relation to photography at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The photos used by the BBC online are with GCHQ's permission and there is therefore no necessity for me to consult the Crown Prosecution Service.
Papua: Politics and Government
Mr. MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in West Papua. [213491]
Meg Munn: We believe that the complex issues in Papua can best be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the people of Papua, their elected representatives and the central government of Indonesia. Indonesian President Yudhoyono has committed his government to improving the situation in Papua, which we welcome. Vice President Kalla, along with a team of ministers, visited Papua most recently in February to discuss economic and social development with representatives of the Papuan people. Governor Suebu, of Papua province, is pressing ahead with his social and economic development programmes, underpinned by the significant financial resources now being directed to Papua as a result of its special autonomy status.
Our embassy in Jakarta follows the situation in Papua closely. They are in regular contact with human rights organisations, non-governmental organisations and academics working in the region. Embassy staff visit Papua regularly.
We continue to encourage all sides to maintain a meaningful dialogue that focuses on implementing fully the existing Special Autonomy legislation. We judge that this is the best way to ensure the long-term stability and development of Papua and its people.
Mr. MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking through the EU to encourage the Indonesian government to enter into internationally-mediated dialogue with representatives of the West Papuan people. [213492]
Meg Munn: We believe that the complex issues in Papua can best be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the people of Papua and their central government. Indonesian President Yudhoyono has committed his government to improving the situation in Papua, which we welcome.
We continue to encourage all sides to support meaningful dialogue and to focus on implementing fully the existing Special Autonomy legislation. We judge that this is the best way to ensure the long-term stability and development of Papua and its people. We do not have any plans with our EU partners to pursue an internationally mediated dialogue on Papua. We support the territorial integrity of Indonesia and do not support calls for independence for Papua.
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