HL Deb 27 October 2003 vol 654 cc8-9WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information will be available to the international donors meeting on Cameroon to be held on 29 October concerning progress towards democracy, human rights and the rule of law; and [HL4802]

Whether they will raise the continued problems of independent newspapers and broadcasters at the meeting of Cameroon's international partners, to be held at Marlborough House on 31 October, in particular in light of the situation of Freedom FM, a private radio station in Cameroon, whose equipment was sealed by the Cameroon police in May; and [HL4921]

Whether they will ensure that the meeting of Cameroon's international partners to be held at Marlborough House on 31 October will consider proposals for elimination of corruption in Cameroon in the light of Transparency International's ranking of Cameroon at 124th out of 133 states surveyed for corruption. [HL4922]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

On 31 October there will be a Commonwealth-sponsored meeting of Cameroon's international partners to discuss proposals for reform and possible international assistance implementing them. The meeting will focus on electoral management, human rights, the rule of law and judicial independence, and decentralisation. We expect the issue of tackling corruption to be discussed under the rubric of legal and judicial reforms, and that the issue of freedom of expression will also be discussed under proposals to strengthen the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms.