HC Deb 16 February 1987 vol 110 cc459-60W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will suspend all contact with the South-West Africa People's Organisation until such time as it has provided full information in respect of the persons executed by the People's Liberation Army of Namibia in 1985–86.

Mrs. Chalker

All reports of alleged human rights abuses relating to Namibia, whether by the South-West Africa People's Organisation or by South African forces, are causes of concern to us. We shall nevertheless continue to talk to all parties to the UN plan, including the South-West Africa People's Organisation and the South African Government, with the aim of promoting internationally accepted independence for Namibia.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he or any official of his Department has received any representations or has made representations concerning Vilho Komomeya, Iipumbu Shongolo, Aaron Seibeb, Bennie Pwetrus, Theresia Basson, Ben Motinga, Hans Claasen, Joel Toromba, Uunona Kamarona, Jackson Hamupembe, Shilongo Iilya Shilongo, Theophillus Shoopala, all Namibian refugees held in detention by the South-West Africa People's Organisation.

Mrs. Chalker

We have received representations about some of the Namibians in question from the Namibian Parents Committee and the International Society for Human Rights. We have expressed our concern to the South West Africa People's Organisation about allegations of human rights abuses in Namibian refugee camps.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the South-West Africa People's Organisation about its use of torture and other forms of inhuman conduct against young children abducted from Namibia.

Mrs. Chalker

We are concerned at all violations of human rights, and have expressed to representatives of the South-West Africa People's Organisation our concern at the various allegations of human rights abuses in Namibia refugee camps.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the current level of opposition within Namibia to the transitional Government of national ann: and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

We believe that the level of opposition to, or support for, any political organisation in Namibia can be established accurately only through the free and fair elections provided for under the United Nations plan for Namibian independence.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will continue to fund indirectly the weekly Namibian newspaper.

Mrs. Chalker

We do not give funds to theNamibian, and we are not aware of any indirect funding of the newspaper from official sources.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he plans any changes in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Namibia in the light of the torture and execution of Lukas Stefanus, Victor Nkandi, Eric Biwa, Henry John Bonzaanier, Tauno Hatuikulipi, Latatutu Hatuikulipi, Peter Nanyemba, Ben Boois and Beny Petrus by the South-West Africa People's Organisation;

(2) whether he plans any changes in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Namibia in the light of the illegal detention, without trial, of four leading members of the central committee of the South-West Africa People's Organisation, SWAPO of South-West Africa/Namibia.

Mrs. Chalker

Our policy on Namibia is well known and unchanged. We remain fully committed to the independence of the territory on the basis of the peaceful implementation of UN Security Council resolution 435.

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