Rwanda (Hansard, 25 March 1996)

§ 31. Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on aid given to Rwanda. [20711]

§ Mr. Hanley
Since April 1994, Britain has committed nearly £100 million to the Rwandan crisis, including our contribution to European Union assistance which is worth some £41.5 million. I am pleased to announce that my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has added to that a further £4 million as Rwanda's share of an £8.5 million British contribution to the 1996 great lakes appeal.

§ Mr. Ainger
If Rwanda and Burundi are to return to some form of normality, does the Minister agree that there must be a working judicial system? He will be aware from my previous questions on this issue that there is a huge problem in relation to the large number of people in detention. Tens of thousands of individuals charged with possible genocide are not being processed through the judicial system. What assurance can the Minister give the House that this prime problem is being addressed with physical resources—personnel resources—rather than just financial resources?

§ Mr. Hanley
I agree with the hon. Gentleman that justice is an important prerequisite for rehabilitation in Rwanda. We remain concerned at the number of Rwandans being held in disturbing conditions in prison. The Rwandan Government have made some progress in recent weeks with the rehabilitation of the domestic justice system, and indictments have been issued by the international tribunal against 10 individuals for genocide and crimes against humanity. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is essential that justice should return, not just through money but through those who are committed to help the Rwandans to return to justice, and also to improve the ghastly human rights situation which has persisted for too long.

§ Mr. Llwyd
Has the Minister read the recently published multi-donor evaluation of the situation in Rwanda, which makes it clear that although humanitarian aid is very important the real answer for Rwanda lies in political moves and political changes? What steps is the Minister likely to suggest?

§ Mr. Hanley
I have indeed read the multi-donor evaluation of emergency assistance to Rwanda. We supported the study, because it is always necessary to assess the impact of international emergency assistance, and it makes a useful contribution to the international debate. We expect to discuss its recommendations with other donors, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations in the reasonably near future.
The United Kingdom's input in the Rwandan crisis was well regarded in the report. United Kingdom NGOs were at the forefront of the emergency response and are now contributing to Rwanda's recovery. It is an important study, and I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it would be worth the while of other hon. Members who are interested in the subject to read the report. It is in the Library.