§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives he proposes in respect of the Great Lakes Region during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EU. [25996]
§ Mr. Tony LloydDuring our six months EU Presidency, we aim to launch a new EU common position on Rwanda; to strengthen and deepen the EU's relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including encouraging progress towards democratisation, the rule of 385W law and respect for human rights; and to continue EU support for efforts to promote all-party political dialogue in Burundi.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he requested legal advice on whether the massacre in Rwanda in 1994 constituted genocide under the terms of the Genocide Convention. [25477]
§ Mr. Tony Lloyd[holding answer 28 Janaury 1998]: Since I May 1997, we have not had cause to seek legal advice on whether the massacre in Rwanda in 1994 constituted genocide under the terms of the Genocide Convention.
The UN Security Council resolution establishing the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), makes the strong presumption that genocide, as defined in the relevant UN Convention, took place in Rwanda. The UK fully supports action through the ICTR and by the Government of Rwanda, to bring to justice those responsible for acts of genocide.