Letter to the Clerk of the Committee from
the Head, Parliamentary Relations and Devolution Team, Foreign
and Commonwealth Office
Thank you for your letter of 26 July about the
Government's response to its Report on the Human Rights Annual
Report 2006, where you sought further information on a number
of points arising from the responses to some of the conclusions
and recommendations.
ANNUAL HUMAN
RIGHTS REPORT,
2007
The FCO's 2007 Annual Report on Human Rights
will be launched in March 2008. In response to the Committee's
first recommendation on our 2006 report, the new structure will
emphasise our work on human rights in the context of each of the
Government's international strategic priorities, human rights
in the international system and countries of key concern. It will
focus on our policy and activities in these areas. We have taken
the Committee's views into account when planning for the next
edition.
PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL
TREATY ON
TRADE IN
CONVENTIONAL ARMS
In December 2006, working with Argentina, Australia,
Costa Rica, Finland, Japan and Kenya, the UK secured agreement
to a UN Resolution to take forward work on an Arms Trade Treaty.
153 States supported this proposal, 24 States abstained, with
only the US voting against.
The UN process has two stages:
i. The UN Secretary General has called for
views on the initiative during 2007.
ii. In early 2008 a Group of Governmental
Experts (GGE) will be established by the UN to examine the "feasibility,
scope and draft parameters" of a treaty, before reporting
back to the UN in October 2008.
The UK continues to lobby other countries to
participate in this process. A large number of countries have
already submitted their views to the United Nations (more than
90 by July 2007). The UN is making this consultation process transparent
by publishing as many of these comments as possible on their website.
The UK government is also working with industry
and with NGOs to raise awareness of the benefits of an Arms Trade
Treaty and will participate fully with the UN process through
the GGE and in international fora as appropriate.
US AIRCRAFT USED
IN RENDITION
OPERATIONS
Your letter asks whether US aircraft used in
rendition operations have called at airfields in the UK or its
Overseas Territories en route to or from a rendition operation.
You further refer to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC)
Report on Rendition and its reference to the allegations made
by Stephen Grey in his book "Ghost Flights", including
that "on up to four occasions since 9/11, aircraft that had
previously conducted a rendition operation overseas transited
UK airspace during their return journeys (without detainees on
board)". The ISC concluded that "The Committee has not
seen any evidence that might contradict the police assessment
that there is no evidential basis on which a criminal inquiry
into these flights could be launched".(Conclusion GG p.62)
You ask whether the Government was informed
by the US authorities of the four flights referred to. The answer
is no. There are more than two million flights through UK airspace
annually. The ISC report concluded that "We consider that
it would be impractical to check whether every aircraft transiting
UK airspace might have been, at some point in the past, and without
UK knowledge, involved in a possibly unlawful operation...."
(Conclusion HH p.62). The Government agrees that it would not
be possible to check every flight—instead an intelligence-led
approach is employed. If individuals on board are reasonably suspected
of committing criminal offences, or if there are reasonable grounds
to suspect that an aircraft is being used for unlawful purposes,
then action can be taken.
As has previously been explained, our policy
on rendition is clear. We have not approved and will not approve
a policy of facilitating the transfer of individuals through the
UK to places where there are substantial grounds to believe they
would face a real risk of torture. If we were requested to assist
another State in a rendition operation, and our assistance would
be lawful, we would decide whether or not to assist taking into
account all the circumstances. We would not assist in any case
if to do so would put us in breach of UK law or our international
obligations.
SAUDI ARABIA
The Human Rights situation in Saudi Arabia remains
poor. We continue to express concern about reports of torture
and ill treatment of prisoners; corporal and capital punishment;
restrictions on freedom of religion, expression and assembly,
and discrimination against women and non-Muslims.
However the situation overall is improving.
In May 2007 the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) published
its first annual report since its conception in 2004. This comprehensive
report was a significant step forward.
The Government has confirmed that it continues
to review educational materials to remove/revise disparaging references
to other religious traditions. Furthermore, the Government allowed
for unprecedented media coverage and criticism of the mutawwas'een
(Religious Police), after growing concerns from the public. The
Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council) voted against expanding
the jurisdiction of the Religious Police calling for them to receive
additional training.
As we have stated before, reform is a long-term
process in Saudi Arabia. The annual UK/Saudi Arabia "Two
Kingdoms" conference provides a bilateral framework for frank
and honest dialogue on issues such as economic reform, education,
youth issues, culture and media dialogue. The next Two Kingdoms
dialogue will be held on 29 October 2007 at Lancaster House.
We are committed to encouraging Saudi Arabia
to improve its human rights record and to adhere to international
human rights standards, bilaterally and through EU and UN fora.
ZIMBABWE
The Government remains deeply concerned over
the deterioration of human right in Zimbabwe. The Government of
Zimbabwe has continued the campaign of violence and intimidation
against opposition figures, human rights activists, and ordinary
citizens. In response to the use of violence and arbitrary detention
against peaceful demonstrators on the 25 July, the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs issued a public statement of condemnation.
We continue to stress the importance of respect
for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all Zimbabweans with both our EU and African partners. The
Committee will be aware of efforts made by the Government to raise
Zimbabwe with the wider international community. Much effort was
directed toward engaging with leaders of Southern African Community
(SADC) countries prior to the SADC Summit held in Lusaka during
August.
The UK, with support from other EU and international
partners, has ensured that Zimbabwe's misgovernaunce has been
raised again during the UN Human Rights Council 6th Session. The
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour raised Zimbabwe
during her opening address on the 13 September. The UK contributed
strong language to the Presidency statement on behalf of the EU
making clear our continued concern regarding the situation in
Zimbabwe.
The Prime Minister made a statement regarding
Zimbabwe on 19 September detailing the Governments intention to
press for the UN Security Council to more regularly review the
situation and to dispatch a humanitarian mission to Zimbabwe.
These points were raised during our intervention at the UN Security
Council Summit in New York on the 25 September.
4 October 2007
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