Lord Sheikh asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What assistance they are providing with regard to the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission and to the proposed work to be undertaken by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kenya.[HL1932]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government welcome the announcement by Kofi Annan on 15 February that the parties have agreed to establish a truth, justice and reconciliation commission. We, with our international partners, await further details on how the parties intend to take this forward and stand ready to provide assistance as necessary.

We welcome the fact-finding mission to Kenya of the team from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and from the office of the United Nations Special Adviser for Genocide to investigate potential human rights abuses. We will seek to ensure that their findings and recommendations are acted on. It is important that the causes of violence are addressed and allegations of human rights abuses are investigated thoroughly. Along with our international partners, we continue to provide support for those displaced and harmed by post-election violence in Kenya.