HC Deb 23 February 1998 vol 307 cc5-6W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she has taken to assist refugees fleeing from conflict in Sierra Leone; and if she will make a statement. [30763]

Clare Short

We have provided £217,000 through Concern Universal to refugees in Guinea and £35,000 through CARE International for refugees in the Gambia.

We are also contributing to assistance to refugees being provided by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

Along with other agencies, we are assessing if further assistance to refugees is required following the recent military action taken by ECOMOG in Sierra Leone.

Sir Alastair Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations on human rights she has made to the Government of Sierra Leone. [30198]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

I have been asked to reply.

The democratically elected authorities of Sierra Leone are only now beginning to return to Freetown. Our High Commissioner to Freetown, temporarily based in Conakry with President Kabbah, regularly discusses with him the need for his government to be inclusive and broadly based and the need to respect human rights.

The essential requirement at this stage is the restoration of law and order and the immediate input of humanitarian relief.