§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Government's ethical approach to international relations will be applied to the combating of reported human rights violations in(a) Kenya and (b) Algeria. [26703]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe have made our concerns about civil and political rights abundantly clear to the Kenyan authorities. Human rights remains an important issue in our bilateral dialogue with the Government of Kenya. Concerns over police brutality have, for example, led to decisions under the revised criteria for licensing arms exports to reject applications for various categories of riot control equipment for the Kenyan police.
On Algeria we, along with EU partners, have made clear our concern for the protection of the Algerian people from terrorist attacks. During the EU Troika mission to Algiers on 19–20 January, we made clear the concerns of the British and European people and pressed the Algerians 536W to accept a visit by UN Special Rapporteurs. We will reiterate our concerns to the Algerian authorities in our regular contact with them.
§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations and meetings he has had with other EU members regarding human rights violations in Kenya and Algeria. [26705]
§ Mr. Tony LloydOn Kenya, our High Commission in Nairobi are in regular contact with EU partners on the question of human rights violations. The subject is also discussed in the relevant EU Working Groups.
Human rights and other issues concerning Algeria are also discussed regularly with EU partners. The most recent discussions were held at Foreign Minister level at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 26 January when my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Derek Fatchett, reported on the EU ministerial Troika visit that he led to Algiers on 19–20 January.