§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, column 86–87, what have been the obstacles to increasing the number for human rights monitors in Rwanda; and if these obstacles have now been removed.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggUN human rights monitors in Rwanda have been funded by voluntary contributions. Although the British contribution of £250,000 and four vehicles was made quickly in response to the appeal by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the response of the international community as a whole has been disappointing. Some 80 UN monitors have now been deployed, but the High Commissioner continues to face funding difficulties.
The UN Centre for Human Rights, which is responsible for mounting the programme, has been hindered by lack of previous experience of managing such an operation.
The European Union is planning to deploy a team of human rights monitors shortly, to work with those from the UN.