§ Lord Mancroftasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards the referendum in Malawi on 14th June.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)We sent three observers to Malawi as part of a co-ordinated EC mission to monitor the referendum voter registration process between 12th and 21st April. A further five UK observers arrived in Malawi on 3rd June where they will remain until 18th June to monitor the latter stages of the referendum process, including the vote60WA and declaration of the result. In addition, we have agreed to provide financial support through the United Nations development programme to supply equipment necessary for the holding of the referendum.
We are supporting the referendum process despite a number of concerns over reports of harassment, intimidation of individual multi-party advocates and lack of coverage of their views on the government controlled media. However we are encouraged that all the parties remain committed to continued participation in the referendum process. We have urged the Government of Malawi to ensure that the remainder of the campaign takes place under conditions which allow all Malawians to express their views freely.