Burundi (Hansard, 17 July 2001)

§ Mr. Love
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on establishing a UN tribunal on Burundi; and if he will make a statement. [1403]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We are concerned over growing instability in Burundi and continue to press all parties to make progress on implementing the Arusha peace process. The international community is not currently considering the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for Burundi. Issues of accountability arising from the conflict are part of the ongoing Burundi peace process.

§ Mr. Love
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made to investigate war crimes and human rights abuses in Burundi; and if he will make a statement. [1404]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Our emphasis now is on supporting the Arusha peace agreement, which offers the best chance for bringing peace and stability to Burundi. We support fully last week's UN Presidential Statement (SPRST2001/17), which calls for the suspension of hostilities, and reaffirms the international community's concern over continuing human rights abuses and violations of humanitarian law.

§ Mr. Love
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he gives to NGOs and human rights groups investigating war crimes and human rights abuses in Rwanda and Burundi; and if he will make a statement. [1405]
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§ Mr. Bradshaw
The UK is playing its role in supporting NGO groups working in Rwanda and Burundi. DFID are providing approximately £500,000 over three years to improve the quality of the judicial system. They also plan to establish a civil society fund to support local NGOs involved in human rights reconciliation activities. Our embassy in Kigali (Rwanda) uses a significant portion of its small grant scheme (worth £200,000) to support human rights NGOs in Rwanda and Burundi.
In 2001 the UK will provide the International Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda with over £3 million. The tribunal does significant work with victims and witnesses.