HC Deb 16 November 1998 vol 319 cc413-4W
Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have recently taken place in the food rations for the displaced Tamil population in the Vanni; and if he will make a statement. [59485]

Mr. Fatchett

The Sri Lankan Government reduced rations to those affected by the conflict in the North and East in July. Rations were restored to pre-July levels in early September except in the uncleared areas of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi in the Vanni. Although the situation is difficult, we understand from Non-Governmental Organisations operating in the area that there is at present sufficient food there. We will continue to impress upon the Sri Lankan Government the need to ensure that adequate supplies reach the civilian population.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries he has made to ensure that recent arms exports to Sri Lanka are not being used for internal repression; if recent exports of arms to Sri Lanka comply with the Government's ethical foreign policy; and if he will make a statement. [59484]

Mr. Fatchett

The most effective way of ensuring that defence exports are not used for internal repression is to carry out a thorough assessment of this risk when considering whether to authorise an export. For proposed exports to Sri Lanka we take into account reporting from our High Commission in Colombo and other relevant reports, including those of Non-Governmental Organisations.

Export licence applications to Sri Lanka are considered scrupulously on a case by case basis with reference to national and EU criteria. We do not license for export military equipment if there is a clearly identifiable risk that it might be used for the purpose of internal repression. Particular attention is paid both to the Sri Lankan Government's human rights record and their legitimate defence and domestic security interests.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the use of unauthorised places of detention by armed groups supported by the Sri Lanka Government; and if he will make a statement. [59660]

Mr. Fatchett

We are concerned about reports that unauthorised places of detention are used by armed groups. We regularly raise our concerns about human rights issues with the Sri Lankan Government as I did when I visited Sri Lanka on 10 November.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the practice of the army and the police in the north and east of Sri Lanka of allowing armed groups to carry out search operations and screen civilians; and if he will make a statement. [59663]

Mr. Fatchett

We have received reports that armed groups have stopped and searched civilians in Sri Lanka, particularly in Vavuniya and the Eastern towns of Trincomalee and Batticaloa. We are also concerned about reports that these armed groups may be detaining civilians illegally. We regularly raise our concerns about human rights issues with the Sri Lankan Government as I did when I visited Sri Lanka on 10 November.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received that internally displaced persons attempting to return to their homes in Vavuniya and the Vanni in Sri Lanka have been killed by the army. [59662]

Mr. Fatchett

We have received no such reports.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding evidence of mass graves at Chemmani, Jaffna in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [59661]

Mr. Fatchett

We are deeply concerned about reports that several hundred bodies of people who "disappeared" in army custody in 1996–97 may be in a mass grave at Chemmani in Jaffna. This is a subject which I raised with the Sri Lankan authorities while I was in Colombo on 10 November. We have urged the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate these allegations fully and with the minimum of further delay.

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