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23 Mar 2009 : Column 32W—continued
Nepal: Human Rights
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Nepal. [265462]
Bill Rammell: While there have been improvements in the human rights situation in Nepal since the end of the conflict in 2006, significant challenges remain to the promotion and protection of human rights caused by the absence of rule of law. Despite the government of Nepal making repeated commitments to promoting respect for human rights, they have made limited progress. It has taken steps towards the proportional inclusion of minorities in all organs and at all levels of the state. It has also increased the budget for the national human rights commission, and has discussed the introduction of a bill to establish a truth and reconciliation commission.
The continuing impunity for past and current human rights abuses remains a key concern. It has encouraged a lack of respect for the law which encourages people to turn to violence to resolving disputes. Poor public security, particularly in the Terai (plains), where there is a proliferation of armed groups, is a major obstacle to improving human rights in Nepal. We are also concerned at the increase in intimidation and violence against journalists which is leading to self-censorship by journalists. Political interference in police investigations is commonplace and we continue to receive reports of torture in police custody.
Our embassy in Kathmandu closely monitors the human rights situation. During the past year we have raised our concerns, including at ministerial level, about attacks on the media, freedom of expression and movement, excessive use of force by the security forces, and the need to discharge minors from the Maoist People’s Liberation Army. We will continue to engage with the government of Nepal both bilaterally and in conjunction with the EU, other international partners, and the Office of the High Commissioner on human rights to urge it to meet the commitments they have made to uphold and promote human rights. Our Embassy is also supporting the efforts of civil society to combat impunity, through advocacy, training and work on legislative reform.
North Korea: Capital Punishment
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the number of people who received the death penalty in North Korea in each of the last five years. [265465]
Bill Rammell: We are concerned about the use of the death penalty in North Korea, including the reports of public executions. There are, however, no reliable figures available for the numbers of executions in North Korea. Different non-governmental organisations produce various figures based on the observations of defectors, but these are difficult to verify and often out of date.
North Korea: Political Prisoners
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the number of political prisoners in North Korea. [265466]
Bill Rammell:
While there is no doubt that North Korea imprisons large numbers of people for their political and religious beliefs, there are no reliable figures available for the number of political prisoners in North Korea. Different non-governmental organisations produce
various figures based on the observations of defectors, but these are difficult to verify, and often out of date. That is why we have consistently pressed North Korea to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea access to their country.
Palestinians: Fisheries
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on access by Gazan fishermen to (a) Gazan and (b) international waters. [264497]
Bill Rammell: Gazan fishermen are prevented by the Israeli navy from entering international waters. The Israeli navy also severely limits their access to Gaza’s own territorial waters. We believe that the current limit is enforced at around three miles from the shore.
Many Gazan fishing boats were also destroyed or damaged during Operation Cast Lead. The Israeli authorities say that they are enforcing these limits to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.
Palestinians: Postal Services
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions there are on (a) mail and (b) gifts being sent from the UK to people in (i) the West Bank and (ii) Gaza. [264761]
Bill Rammell: There are no restrictions specific to mail or gifts originating in the UK. Incoming mail destined for the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be routed via Israel. It will be subject to security checks. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff, living in Gaza and the West Bank report that it will take small envelopes several weeks to arrive from an international address. Some of this period of time may also be accounted for by the inefficiency of the Palestinian Authority’s own mail service.
For parcels sent to the West Bank, the security checking process can last up to two months and many West Bankers now arrange for larger mail items to be sent to addresses in east Jerusalem and then delivered on by friends or relatives. Parcels destined for Gaza can be held up for several months and few individuals or organisations inside Gaza would now use this as a means to send items into the Gaza strip.
Philippines: Politics and Government
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have discussions with the Government of the Philippines on the implications for the political situation in that country of the kidnapping of the members of the International Committee of the Red Cross. [265785]
Bill Rammell: We are aware that on 15 January 2009 three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), including two foreign nationals, were kidnapped on the island of Sulu in the southern Philippines. The terrorist group Abu Sayyaf claims to be holding them captive. Our embassy in Manila has been following the case closely. We welcome reports by the ICRC that one of the hostages has been released and we hope the two remaining members will be freed unharmed.
We are concerned about on-going terrorist and insurgent activity in the southern Philippines. Our ambassador in Manila regularly discusses the conflict in the southern Philippines, including wider political implications, with the Philippines Government. The UK has been sharing its experience from the Northern Ireland Peace Process with the Philippines Government to help the Government in its efforts towards achieving peace in Mindanao.
Ron Arad
Dr. Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions HM Ambassador in Tehran has had with the Iranian Government on the missing Israeli pilot, Ron Arad. [265653]
Bill Rammell: Our ambassador in Tehran has not had any discussions with the Iranian Government regarding the missing Israeli pilot, Ron Arad. However, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Mr. Arad's disappearance in January 2000 with the Iranian Foreign Minister. The Iranian Minister assured him that although he had no information concerning Mr. Arad, he would pass on any information he might obtain. Officials in our embassies in Beirut and Damascus have also sought information on Mr. Arad's case; most recently with the Lebanese Government in February 2004.
Seoul
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits were made by Ministers to Seoul in the financial year 2007-08. [264571]
Bill Rammell: There were two visits to Seoul by Government Ministers in financial year 2007-08. These visits were by the then Minister of State for Higher Education, Further Education, and Lifelong Learning, at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Bill Rammell), in May 2007, and the then Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Mr. Hutton) in November 2007.
Sri Lanka: Human Rights
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. [264787]
Bill Rammell: The UK has recently made clear our concerns about the deteriorating human right situation in Sri Lanka during the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva. The continuing reports of abductions, disappearances, violence and intimidation against the media are of particular concern. Violations must be investigated thoroughly and independently and those responsible must be brought to justice.
On 23 February 2009, the EU released a statement calling on the Sri Lankan authorities to take decisive action to tackle human rights abuses, to guarantee press freedom and to disarm paramilitary groups in government controlled areas. We continue to raise human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan authorities whenever possible.
Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Sri Lanka on the political situation in that country. [264123]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 19 March 2009]: I refer my hon. Friend to my response of 5 March 2009, Official Report, column 1750W.
We are in regular contact with the Government of Sri Lanka. Most recently my noble friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, spoke to the Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs on 16 March 2009 about the political and humanitarian situation. We remain of the view that a political solution that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities in Sri Lanka is the only way to bring a sustainable end to the conflict.
Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) Ministerial colleagues and (b) overseas counterparts on the viability of implementing a no-fly zone for Darfur. [263545]
Gillian Merron: We currently assess that a no-fly zone would restrict essential humanitarian operations and be a major logistical challenge due to the size of Darfur and the lack of available air assets. The African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is mandated to monitor military activity, including flights prohibited by UN Security Council Resolution 1591. To this end, we continue to press all parties for rapid, full deployment of UNAMID, and work with the UN and any potential donors to ensure UNAMID receives the equipment it so urgently requires.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Darfur. [263547]
Gillian Merron: We remain committed to both the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and Darfur Peace Process. We welcomed the initial agreement between the Government of Sudan and the justice and equality movement signed in Doha on 17 February 2009, and encouraged UN/African Union mediator Bassole and Qatar to continue efforts. We urge implementation of the initial agreement, talks on a cessation of hostilities and a lasting settlement, and the engagement also of other Darfur leaders.
Full implementation of CPA is essential for lasting peace throughout Sudan and we will continue to work with the governments in Khartoum and Juba for that.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a statement on 4 March 2009 in which he strongly urged all parties in Sudan to avoid escalation, maintain order and protect embassies, international personnel and humanitarian workers, and above all the Sudanese civilians who have already suffered so much.
The statement is available for viewing at:
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Sudan to encourage it to reverse its decision to eject non-governmental organisations. [263624]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 13 March 2009]: Our Ambassador has urged the Government of Sudan to allow non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to continue their work. The EU issued a statement on 10 March 2009 calling upon the Government of Sudan to urgently reconsider their decision, and ensure that humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Sudan be continuously guaranteed. European foreign Ministers discussed the situation again on 16 March 2009 and reiterated this message. We have, through official and ministerial level contacts, urged, China, Russia, and Sudan’s African and Arab neighbours to press the Government of Sudan to reverse their decision.
To date, there has been no indication that the Government of Sudan will reverse their decision and allow the 13 NGOs to remain in Sudan.
Terrorism: Finance
Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2009, Official Report, column 1415W, on terrorism: finance, how much of the £80 million allocated to his Department and the £6 million allocated to the British Council for tackling terrorism and promoting understanding overseas for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 is new funding. [264600]
Bill Rammell: All of the £80 million and £6 million allocated to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British Council respectively in the 2008-11 comprehensive spending review was new funding.
Thailand: Demonstrations
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints were made to his Department on the conduct of the British Embassy in Thailand during the closure of Bangkok Airport in December 2008. [259037]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 2 March 2009]: An estimated 6,000 British nationals had their travel plans disrupted during the closure of Bangkok’s two main airports by People’s Alliance for Democracy demonstrators last year. Our consular team in Bangkok spoke to about 400 callers per day during this period, visited Bangkok hotels and made contact with British nationals. We received one complaint through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s formal complaints procedure about the Government’s response to the airport closure. Separately we have received approximately 50 letters and emails from members of the public and 15 letters from MPs whose constituents were unhappy with the assistance provided by the Government.
Treaty of Lisbon
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on (a) completion of the Treaty of Lisbon ratification process and (b) implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon by EU member states. [265392]
Caroline Flint: At the December 2008 European Council, a way forward was agreed on the Lisbon treaty on the basis of proposals from the Irish Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a statement on the European Council to Parliament on 15 December 2008, Official Report, column 813.
There have been no formal discussions at EU level since December. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly meet their EU counterparts to discuss a range of issues including the Treaty of Lisbon.
The Irish Government gave an update on their progress at the Spring European Council on 19-20 March 2009.
UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the UK plans to (a) sign and (b) ratify the UN convention on enforced disappearances; and if he will make a statement. [263171]
Gillian Merron: The Government are currently examining the potential impact of the UN Convention against enforced disappearance on the law of the UK. In particular, lawyers are analysing the extent to which common law provisions may need to be replicated in statute law, and the introduction of one or more specific criminal offences.
If the Government decide to ratify the convention, these changes to the law would require primary legislation, which would be introduced when parliamentary time allowed. Decisions would also need to be taken in due course on whether the UK required any reservations or declarations upon ratification. These are complex issues requiring further consideration and analysis which will take some time to complete.
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