§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether malnutrition rates in Ethiopia are increasing. [98270]
§ Clare ShortThe latest UN assessment is that although they have not observed a general deterioration in the nutritional status of the drought affected population, there has been a slow but gradual increase in Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in some of the drought affected areas of Ethiopia. Some areas are now above 10 per cent. GAM allowing no margin for error. The situation therefore requires constant monitoring.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if, at the meeting to be held with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, she will ask him what steps are being taken by the Ethiopian Government to investigate the detention without trial and torture and ill-treatment of(a) up to 60 demonstrators arrested in Oromia in April 2002 and (b) approximately 48 persons in the capital Addis Ababa, suspected of being members of the Oromo Liberation Front in August 2002. [98827]
§ Clare ShortHer Majesty's Government encourage the Ethiopian Government to handle political protest—violent or peaceful—in accordance with the provisions of their own law and relevant international conventions on human rights. I shall be discussing this issue within the context of the request for support I have received from Prime Minister Meles for transforming the Ethiopian police force into a force working with the community.
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§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development to what extent funding to Ethiopia under the Department's Direct Budget Support system will be conditional upon an improved human rights situation in the country. [98873]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is developing a three-year programme of direct budget support to Ethiopia to support the implementation of the Ethiopian Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP). This will follow up on the disbursement agreed in January 2003. We intend to measure progress by the Government against a range of indicators from the SDPRP and other Government policy statements that will be agreed between the Government and a group of interested donors, including the UK. These indicators should cover the full range of commitments in the SDPRP including issues related to democratisation, empowerment and respect for human rights—economic and social, as well as civic and political.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether, at her meeting with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, she will raise(a) the detention without trial of thousands within Ethiopia; and (b) the likelihood of the Ethiopian Government either releasing such persons or placing them on trial as soon as possible. [98874]
§ Clare ShortIn the Memorandum of Understanding I signed with the Ethiopian Government in January 2003, the Ethiopian Government renewed its commitment to protect the full range of human rights including economic and social rights of all Ethiopians, especially the poor. We are supporting the implementation of this commitment through our support for the Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP) and through regular dialogue with the Ethiopian Government, at which we raise human rights and other issues of concern. At my planned meeting with Prime Minister Meles, I expect to discuss progress on implementing the SDPRP and any issues of concern that arise.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the Department will be conducting training of Ethiopian police and security forces as referred to in the Department's Ethiopian Country Assistance Plan. [98828]
§ Clare ShortMy Department will be leading a joint DFID/MOD/FCO mission to Ethiopia to discuss with Government and civil society what support might be usefully provided for security sector reform and reforming the police. The provision of training will be considered during that mission.