Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political and human rights situation in Cameroon; and if he will make a statement.

The tensions in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon are troubling. The British Government wants to see a reduction in violence, release of prisoners and a meaningful process to address the core issues.

We welcome the announcement by President Biya in his New Year speech, calling for moves to rebuild trust, resume dialogue and pursue decentralization. During my visit in February, I met senior Cameroon Government officials and reinforced the need for restraint, for the avoidance of excess force and for respect for human rights.