HC Deb 27 January 2000 vol 343 cc299-300W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent(a) reports and (b) representations he has received on violations of human rights by the Indonesian Army in Aceh and West Papua. [106728]

Mr. Battle

Despite the progress towards democracy in Indonesia, the security situation in Aceh and West Papua/Irian Jaya is a matter of serious concern. We have received reports of indiscriminate killings, abductions and harassment in Aceh, and we have received reports that four civilians were seriously wounded after security forces opened fire on demonstrators in West Papua/Irian Jaya on 4 December. These incidents highlight the importance of the new Indonesian Government's efforts to secure peace and reconciliation in their troubled provinces through dialogue—a process we fully support.

We have received a small number of parliamentary letters about the situation in the above provinces.

I discussed the current violence in Indonesia with President Wahid and senior Ministers during my visit to Indonesia last week and underlined our deep concern.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the use by the Indonesian army in Ambon of UK-manufactured Saladin armoured cars against civilians. [106732]

Mr. Battle

Saladin vehicles have not been exported to Indonesia since the 1960s. We have no confirmation of recent press reports that UK-supplied Saladin armoured vehicles have been used against civilians in Ambon.