Kenya (Hansard, 2 February 1998)

§ Mr. Rowe
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received, and what assessment his Department has made, of human rights violations in Kenya. [26704]

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
We receive reports from a variety of sources about human rights in Kenya. We are particularly concerned about the persistent problem of police brutality and the evidence of torture and extra-judicial killings. The Kenyan Government are bound under international obligations to end such practices. We will play a full part in ensuring that pressure for such progress is maintained.
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We have been deeply concerned by recent violence in parts of Kenya's Rift Valley, which appears to have both ethnic and political origins. Our High Commission in Nairobi issued a public statement on 28 January, in concert with other diplomatic missions, expressing concern over the slow and ineffective response by the Kenyan security forces. The statement also urged the Government of Kenya to take prompt, effective action to put an end to the violence and to bring its perpetrators to justice.

§ Mr. Rowe
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Kenyan authorities in respect of reported human rights violations; and if he will make a statement. [26701]

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
We maintain a vigorous dialogue with the Kenyan Government on human rights issues through our High Commission in Nairobi and at Ministerial level when the occasion arises. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues with the then Kenyan Foreign Minister during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh. The subject was also raised during my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's meeting with President Moi on 4 January and my telephone conversation with the new Kenyan Foreign Minister on 28 January.

§ Mr. Faber
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Kenya in respect of recent reports of violence. [26975]

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
Our High Commission in Nairobi issued a public statement on 28 January in concert with other diplomatic missions, expressing concern over the slow and ineffective response by the Kenyan security forces to recent ethnic clashes in various parts of Rift Valley Province. The statement also urged the Government of Kenya to take prompt, effective action to put an end to the violence and to bring its perpetrators to justice. I reiterated our concern over recent events during a telephone conversation with the Kenyan Foreign Minister on 28 January.