§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has collated about the number of civilians killed in Aceh, Indonesia, since the commencement of the current military operation on 2 May; and what representations his Department has made to the Indonesian Government concerning their cessation of that operation. [6556]
§ Mr. BradshawPrecise figures for the number of deaths from violence in Aceh are not available, but an estimated 800 civilians have died during 2001 (up to early October). During a visit to Aceh on 1 October by EU Ambassadors based in Jakarta, the Deputy Chief of Police said that approximately 70 police had been killed, along with 30 military personnel and 100 members of the GAM (Free Aceh Movement).
HMG has made it clear to all the parties concerned on numerous occasions that the only basis for a peaceful, durable settlement is through negotiation.
I raised the issue with the Indonesian Authorities on 28 August and the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Paul Holms) raised it with President Megawati and others on 11 September.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the use of British-made armoured vehicles by the North Sumatra Military Command, Bukit Barisan. [7693]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Indonesian Government have told us that there are no Saladin armoured vehicles, or other British built equipment in Aceh. We are aware that an Indonesian magazine "Gatra", on 14 April 2001 showed a Saladin (not Saracen) patrolling the North Sumatra/Aceh border area, but on the North Sumatra side. Saladin armoured vehicles are 45 years old and are generally used for protected mobility of troops.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to encourage the Indonesian Government to invite UN experts on(a) extrajudicial executions, (b) torture, (c) arbitrary detentions, (d) the independence of judges and lawyers and (e) human rights defenders to visit Indonesia to carry out assessments on issues of concern. [6555]
§ Mr. BradshawIt is British Government policy to encourage all Governments to co-operate with UN mechanisms including the special procedures appointed to investigate specific thematic issues such as extra judicial executions and torture. If one of the UN Special Rapporteurs thought that it would be appropriate to visit Indonesia, we would encourage the Indonesian Government to facilitate such a visit.
We raise human right issues with the Indonesian authorities, both bilaterally and through the European Union, at every appropriate opportunity.
969W
§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of the human rights situation in Aceh and West Papua is being undertaken by the British Embassy in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement. [6948]
§ Mr. BradshawThe British Embassy in Jakarta maintains regular contact with a wide range of NGOs, civil society, local government and parliament representatives to share information on human rights issues within Indonesia. In addition the Ambassador and his staff make regular visits to Aceh and West Papua, most recently in October 2001.
The British Government remain concerned about a range of human rights issues in Indonesia and I discussed these with the Vice President and the Attorney-General when I visited Jakarta in August.