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6 Oct 2008 : Column 223W—continued
Government Art Collection
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items from the Government Art Collection are located in his Ministerial residence in 1 Carlton Gardens. [222987]
David Miliband: The following items from the Government Art Collection are located in the ministerial residence at 1 Carlton Gardens.
Corner of the Stackyard painting by Brian SEAGO;
Orange Dahlias painting by Hugh Micklem;
Full Summer painting by Amy K. Browning;
Petworth Park, as it appeared at the Time of the Annual Dinner given by the late Earl of Egremont, 9 June 1835 print after W. F. Witherington;
P&O Steamship “Niphon” off Hong Kong painting by an unknown artist;
Seated Female Figure watercolour by an unknown Chinese artist;
Seated Male Figure watercolour by an unknown Chinese artist;
Twigs with Leaves and Blossom watercolour by an unknown Chinese artist;
The Cottage, Giverny painting by Charles Conder;
Gillingham Churchyard, Kent painting by William Muller;
Evening Landscape with Church on a Hill painting by Enid Hay; and
Paris Scene painting by Edward Morland Lewis.
Great Britain-China Centre
Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of how the Chinese authorities view the work of the Great Britain-China Centre. [222297]
Meg Munn: We believe that the Chinese government welcome the work carried out by the Great Britain-China Centre in facilitating contacts and collaboration with high-level decision-makers engaged in legal and labour reform both in the UK and in China.
The Great Britain-China Centre has delivered many projects on the rule of law with the support of Chinese counterpart organisations and we expect this level of co-operation to continue.
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) the level of Serbian co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and (b) the prospect of the delivery of Ratko Mladic to the ICTY in the near future. [222825]
Caroline Flint: The Government believe that the arrest and transfer of Radovan Karadzic was a significant step forward in Serbia’s co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). ICTY Prosecutor Serge Brammertz visited Belgrade from 10-11 September and briefed the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 September. His next report to the UN Security Council is due in December.
In itself, the arrest of Karadzic does not equate to ‘full co-operation’. In our view, evidence of full co-operation would be a period of committed and sustained activity by the Serbian Government, demonstrating hundred per cent. effort and political will. Co-operation with the Tribunal covers efforts in a range of areas including: tackling support networks; in meeting requests for documents; in allowing access to archives; in ensuring protection of witnesses; as well as in locating and transferring the two remaining indictees, Goran Hadzic and Ratko Mladic.
Our assessment is that the Serbian Government are working actively to ensure the transfer of the remaining indictees, including Ratko Mladic, to The Hague. We call upon them to make every effort to ensure that transfer takes place as soon as possible.
Iran: Detainees
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Iran urging the release of six members of the Baha’í community arrested in that country on 14 May 2008; and if he will make a statement. [222232]
Dr. Howells:
We remain very concerned about the overall treatment of Iran’s Baha’i community and, in particular, the continued detention without charge of seven members of their informal leadership since May. We have consistently voiced our concern about this and urged the Iranian government to release them unconditionally. Following a UK recommendation, the EU issued a public statement on 21 May expressing serious concern at the discrimination and harassment of Baha’is in Iran and calling for the release of the Baha’i leaders. In statements to the UN Human Rights
Council in Geneva on 6 June and 16 September, the UK once again called on Iran to release the detained Baha’is. Most recently, and again with strong UK support, the EU issued a further public declaration on 26 September about the increasing pressure on people belonging to religious minorities in Iran in recent months. This declaration set out that the EU was
‘deeply disturbed’
by the arrests of members of the Baha’i community and called for their
‘immediate and unconditional release’.
We will continue to press Iran to fully uphold the right to freedom of religion and to end the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Mr. David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Iranian authorities on the detention on charges of apostasy of Mahmoud Mohammad Matin-Azad and Arash Ahmad-Ali Basirat. [224509]
Dr. Howells: We continue to have concerns about the treatment of Christians in Iran. In recent months we have received a number of reports about detentions of individuals who have converted from Islam to Christianity, including Mahmoud Matin-Azad and Arash Basirat, who were arrested in May and subsequently charged with apostasy. With strong UK support, the EU issued a public declaration on 26 September expressing concern about the deteriorating situation of religious minorities in Iran and calling for the release of Christian converts who had been arrested in recent months. We have since received information that Mr. Matin-Azad and Mr. Basirat have been acquitted of these charges. However, we remain deeply concerned that the new draft penal code would introduce a mandatory death sentence for the ‘crime’ of apostasy (the death penalty is currently one possible punishment) and the impact that this would have on religious minorities including Christian converts. The EU statement of 26 September also called on Iran to reconsider these elements of the new draft and allow all its citizens the right to exercise freedom of religion or belief in full.
Iraq: Human Rights
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further investigations he has undertaken or has supported into whether the Anfal campaign of Saddam Hussein in 1987-88 was a war crime; and if he will make a statement. [222402]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The UK helped fund, with international partners, the cost of sending international advisers to the Iraqi High Tribunal to provide advice to the Judiciary on international law—including human rights—in the trial of Saddam Hussein and members of his former regime. On 24 June 2007, the Iraqi High Tribunal reached its verdict on the Anfal trial and sentenced the senior figures involved in the campaign.
The tribunal findings underscore the brutality Saddam Hussein's regime imposed on the Iraqi people and characterised many of the actions that had given rise to the charges as war crimes.
Kosovo: Politics and Government
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Kosovo, with particular reference to the safety of returning refugees; and if he will make a statement. [223969]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The security situation in Kosovo remains calm but tense. The Kosovo police service, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo are all engaged in ensuring security on the ground. They have the full support of the UK in ensuring a safe and secure environment in Kosovo.
In its declaration of independence, the Parliamentary Assembly of Kosovo committed Kosovo to the principles of democracy and equality for all its citizens contained in the UN Special Envoy's comprehensive settlement proposal. Under the proposal, all refugees and internally displaced persons from Kosovo have the right to return and reclaim their property and personal possessions based on a voluntary and informed decision.
The security situation is only one of a number of factors affecting the returns process. According to the report of the UN Secretary-General on UNMIK of 15 July 2008, the boycott by Kosovo Serb representatives of various decision-making fora on returns, an absence of dialogue and co-operation between the authorities in Pristina and Belgrade and a lack of economic opportunities and occupation of property are obstacles to the returns process. We continue to work with the Governments of Kosovo and Serbia to make progress on these issues.
Mauritania: Peace Negotiations
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government has taken to promote peace in Mauritania. [224164]
Dr. Howells: On 6 August I made the following statement on the situation in Mauritania:
“The UK is following the situation in Mauritania closely and is concerned by reports of a military coup. We condemn any attempt to seize power by force and call on all parties to ensure respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law and to safeguard the well-being of their own citizens and foreign nationals in Mauritania. Britons currently in Mauritania should monitor local press reports and take sensible precautions for their safety”.
I remain deeply concerned that the President Abdallahi remains in detention and no progress has been made towards the restoration of democracy. That is why I strongly support statements made by the EU Presidency, the African Union and others which have called for the immediate release of the President and Prime Minister and the restoration of constitutional order. A UN presidential statement agreed on 20 August condemned the coup and called for the immediate restoration of the legitimate, constitutional, democratically-elected institutions.
The UK is working with our international partners to bring pressure to bear on the military regime in Mauritania and to promote peace in the region and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to protect Britons living in and visiting Mauritania since the recent coup in that country. [224165]
Dr. Howells: On 6 August I made the following statement on the situation in Mauritania:
“The UK is following the situation in Mauritania closely and is concerned by reports of a military coup. We condemn any attempt to seize power by force and call on all parties to ensure respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law and to safeguard the well-being of their own citizens and foreign nationals in Mauritania. Britons currently in Mauritania should monitor local press reports and take sensible precautions for their safety”.
On 6 August the Foreign and Commonwealth Office amended the travel advice advising against “all but essential travel to Mauritania” and advising “British nationals to keep a low profile, exercise caution and avoid all areas where there are large gatherings of people”. Travel advice was updated again on 23 September and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.
While the UK does not have permanent representation in Mauritania, our honorary consul in Nouakchott offers support and emergency assistance to British nationals in Mauritania.
Morocco: Fisheries
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the indigenous people of Western Sahara receive licensing revenues or aid derived from the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement as a result of UK trawlers’ fishing activity in the waters of the occupied Western Sahara. [223165]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 10 September 2008]: Morocco, as the de facto administering power in the Western Sahara, has an obligation under international law to ensure that economic activities carried out under its administration in the territory do not adversely affect the interests of the people of the Western Sahara. This includes revenues from the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement 2006. Trawlers from the UK and those from other EU member states fishing in the waters off Morocco or the Western Sahara must act in accordance with the provisions of this agreement.
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government regard the waters off the coast of Western Sahara as international waters; and what the status is of UK fishing vessels fishing in those waters under the terms of the EU fisheries agreement with Morocco. [223166]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 10 September 2008]: The EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement was agreed in 2006 and sets out the terms for which UK and other European fishing vessels may fish in the waters off the coast of Western Sahara. The agreement does not prejudice the issue of the status of Western Sahara, which the UK regards as undetermined pending UN efforts to find a resolution. Nor does the agreement represent recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the maritime waters of Western Sahara.
Morocco: Human Rights
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether provisions relating to human rights will be included in the EU agreement with Morocco on advanced status. [223295]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 10 September 2008]: The UK welcomes closer co-operation between the EU and Morocco, including the proposal for an Advanced Status Agreement currently under discussion between EU member states, the European Commission and Morocco. These discussions cover a range of issues, including human rights. Human rights will also remain part of the political dialogue between the EU and Morocco and will be discussed at the sub-committee on human rights, governance and democracy, which is due to meet again later this year.
Morocco: Mining
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Government of Morocco on the export of phosphate from the Bou Craa mine in Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [222308]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government are aware of the extraction of phosphate in Western Sahara and its exportation. The UK maintains its position that Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities under administration—including the extraction and exportation of phosphates—do not adversely affect the interests of the people in Western Sahara.
Morocco: Western Sahara
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco will be raised in his discussions with Morocco on advanced status. [222307]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We welcome closer co-operation between the EU and Morocco, including the proposal for an Advanced Status Agreement that is under discussion between EU member states, the European Commission and Morocco. These discussions cover a range of issues, including economic and commercial issues, justice and security, regional co-operation, cultural and educational co-operation and human rights. The issue of Western Sahara, while not discussed within the context of the Advanced Status, remains part of the political dialogue between the EU and Morocco, which will be strengthened as part of the Advanced Status. Western Sahara will also be discussed as part of the political dialogue at the next Association Council in October.
The Government continue to believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara is best achieved under the auspices of the UN. To this end and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (1813) of 30 April, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to the Western Sahara, Peter van Walsum, and the negotiation process currently under way.
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the EU-Moroccan Association Agreement provides for special arrangements for products originating from the Western Sahara such as those provided for in the Association Agreement for products originating in Melilla and Ceuta which are to be accompanied by a certificate stating their origin. [224172]
Dr. Howells: There are no provisions in the current Association Agreement that provide for special arrangements for goods originating from Western Sahara.
However, the Government maintains the position that the Government of Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities carried out under their administration do not adversely affect the interests of the people of Western Sahara.
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