§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made to assist(a) Rwanda and (b) Burundi to bring those guilty of crimes against humanity to justice; and if he will make a statement. [148856]
§ Mr. MullinWe are working with the Rwandan Government to develop and begin implementation of a strategy for legal and judicial reform; implement the "gacaca" process of local justice in all provinces: and work constructively with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. In Burundi, during 2003–04 we are contributing £5.7 million towards the cost of the African Union's peace-keeping force. We are also encouraging the UN to look at ways in which the international community can support post-conflict justice.
§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being provided to(a) Rwanda and (b) Burundi to fight terrorism; and if he will make a statement. [148857]
§ Mr. MullinWe are not providing direct assistance to Burundi and Rwanda to fight terrorism, but we are helping Rwanda with security sector reform and looking at the possibility of doing so in Burundi. We currently assess the threat from international terrorism in Burundi and Rwanda as low, but this is kept under careful review.
§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support is being provided to efforts to initiate the peace process in Burundi; and if he will make a statement. [148859]
§ Mr. MullinThe UK has increased its engagement in Burundi since the signing of the Arusha agreement in 2000, providing both political and financial support. We are working with the EU, UN and regional partners to consolidate the peace process to support peace-building activities, including the African Mission in Burundi, and long-term recovery and poverty reduction.
1253WIn 2003–04, the UK has made a total of £11.6 million available for Burundi, including £5.7 million to support the African Union-led peace-keeping force.