Written question asked by Mohammad Sarwar (Labour) on Monday, 31 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 February 2005. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what action his Department is taking with multilateral institutions in Eritrea to combat religious persecution of Christians.

Answer: Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action his Department is taking with multilateral institutions in Eritrea to combat religious persecution of Christians. [213697] Hilary Benn: The UK raises the issue of religious freedom with the Eritrean Government regularly. Our charge« d'affaires in Asmara last raised the issue on 18 January and my hon. Friend the Minister for Africa (Mr. Mullin), raised it with President Isaias during his visit to Eritrea in January last year. DFID will continue to make clear our concern.

Secondary information