To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the expulsion of Chadian people from Niger; and if she will make a statement. (101429)

On 20 October 2006, the Government of Niger began their planned expulsion of 3,300 Mahamids from the Diffa region across the border into Chad. However, following a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Niamey on 27 October 2006, the expulsions were suspended. Our High Commission in Accra will continue to monitor the situation and encourage EU partners—represented in Niamey—to make representations to the Government of Niger to respect the human rights of the Mahamids.