HC Deb 27 April 1993 vol 223 c366W
Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government in Malawi with regard to respect for human rights.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Failure by the Malawian Government to address the international community's concern over human rights led the United Kingdom and other aid donors in May 1992 to suspend non-humanitarian assistance until there are clear signs of improvement. During our Presidency we initiated EC representations calling on the Malawian Government to address concerns over human rights. We continue to raise human rights issues regularly with the Malawian Government.

The referendum on Malawi's future political system due on 14 June encapsulates many of the key issues in question.