§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Brunei concerning the recent arrest of seven Christians. [153725]
§ Mr. BattleA total of seven were initially detained. Four people have now been released, but three remain in detention. Our High Commissioner in Brunei is in close contact with local church leaders and has discussed the matter with senior officials in the Bruneian Government; and we are co-ordinating our actions with EU counterparts. Our High Commissioner in Brunei will continue, both through contacts with the Bruneian authorities and in consultation with EU partners and other Governments represented in Brunei, to press for those detained to be treated in line with Brunei's obligations as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.