§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the fate of the Twa people of Rwanda, and those of them presently refugees in Zaire; and what plans he has to take any special action to protect these victims of the situation in Rwanda. [37286]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have little specific information about the fate of the Twa people, other than reports by bodies such as the Unrepresented Peoples and Nations Organisation. An UNPO mission to Rwanda in late 1994 estimated that 10,000 Twa were killed in the genocide and civil war of 1994—representing one third of that community in Rwanda—and that a further 8,000 to 10,000 Twa had fled the country.
Other reports indicate that the Twa form a particularly vulnerable group among the refugees, often living outside the established camps and meriting special attention from UN agencies and non-governmental organisations. The Red Cross and Christian Aid have organised separate food distribution and shelter provision for groups of Twa refugees. Inside Rwanda, the Twa have traditionally been a disadvantaged group, subjected to discrimination. A Christian Aid rehabilitation programme has assisted the Twa, and further programmes targeting the Twa as a group are planned. The UK has contributed to these programmes.