HC Deb 20 April 2004 vol 420 cc449-50W
Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian Government about religious freedom; and if he will make a statement. [166462]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I met with the Indonesian Ambassador on 6 October and 10 November 2003 and 4 March 2004 and on each occasion we discussed a wide range of issues, including religion. We support the Indonesian Government's efforts to bring peace to the provinces of Central Sulawesi and Maluku.

The British Government is committed to working with Indonesia to encourage religious tolerance. Together with the Department for International Development, we have committed over £4 million to help establish the United Nations Development Programme Conflict Prevention and Recovery Unit in Jakarta. The Unit will build up capacity in conflict reduction and recovery in the provinces affected by religious conflict. This includes funding projects like the Maluku Reconciliation Conference, which was held in London and Brussels in January 2004 and which brought together Muslim and Christian Leaders from Maluku to discuss how to establish peace in the province.

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