HC Deb 16 February 1999 vol 325 cc747-8W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on anti-semitism in Russia. [70949]

Ms Quin

Her Majesty's Government share the wide public and parliamentary concern about recent anti-semitic statements in Russia. We have told the Russian authorities that racial intolerance and extremist political activities are wholly unacceptable and most recently last week I raised this with the Chairman of President Yeltsin's Commission on Human Rights. We look to the Russian government and the regional administrations to take firm action to deal with anti-semitism, and we welcome the strong condemnation of racial intolerance by President Yeltsin in November last year.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made to the Russian Government consequent upon anti-semitic attacks on Marina Roshcha synagogue and Vostryakovskoye cemetery last year. [70950]

Ms Quin

The British Ambassador in Moscow and, at our instigation, the EU Presidency, have made strong representations about the anti-semitism in Russia, but have not specifically referred to these attacks. We and our EU partners made clear to the Presidential Administration, the Communist leadership and the Duma that antisemitism is wholly unacceptable. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will reinforce these messages personally when he visits Russia. We welcome President Yeltsin's condemnation of the attack on the Marina synagogue.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Russian Government concerning statements on Zionism made in December 1998 by the leader of the Communist Party. [70951]

Ms Quin

The British Ambassador in Moscow raised our concerns about anti-semitism in Russia with both the Presidential Administration and Mr. Zyuganov himself before the Communist leader's statement of 23 December. At our instigation, the EU Presidency in Moscow expressed EU concerns to Deputy Foreign Minister Gussarov on 28 January, and will follow up shortly with Mr. Zyuganov.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Russian Government on anti-semitism in Russia. [70948]

Ms Quin

The British Ambassador made representations to the Presidential Administration on 3 December; the leader of the Communist Party, Gennady Zyuganov on 4 December; and Deputy Foreign Minister Avdeev on 15 January. At our instigation, the EU Presidency formally raised it with Deputy Prime Minister Gussarov on 28 January. I also expressed our concerns to President Yeltsin's Human Rights adviser, Professor Kartashkin, on 11 February. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will raise this issue during his forthcoming visit to Russia.