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Arms Embargo on Argentina

Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there have been any new exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina.[HL337]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have recently granted an exception to the embargo relating to the sale of spare parts for the Argentine icebreaker, the "Almirante Irizar". This represents an exception but not a change to the embargo.

Bahrain: FCO Visit

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the official from the Foreign Office who visited Bahrain in November saw any of the members of the democratic opposition; and, if so, whether the British Embassy in Manama have regular contact with any of those persons.[HL147]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The visiting FCO official did not meet representatives of the Bahraini opposition. Nor do the British Embassy in Manama have contact with them.

Iraq: Ethnic Cleansing

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they have received of ethnic cleansing by the Iraqi authorities in the districts of Kirkuk, Khanaqin and Douz; and whether they will ask for this to be noted by the Security Council as a violation of Resolution 688.[HL86]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government are aware of reports of ethnic cleansing in the districts of Kirkuk and others. The actions of the Iraqi authorities in driving ethnic minorities from their homes are deplorable. We draw all such reports to the attention of the UN special rapporteur on Iraq, Max Van der Stoel and the DHA.

Iraq: Reports of Mass Executions

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have received about the reported execution in the special prison in Abu Ghraib and in Radwaniyah Prison of more than 800 opponents of Saddam Hussain in December 1997; and whether they will ask the special rapporteur on Iraq to make formal inquiries about the fate of the victims whose names have been published by the Iraqi National Congress.[HL87]

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Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government share the noble Lord's concern about these appalling reports of mass executions. We have drawn these reports to the attention of the UN special rapporteur on Iraq and are seeking further information on the executions.

East Timor: Human Rights

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they will take, as President of the European Union, in pursuance of the common position on East Timor, to assist the promotion of the United Nations Human Rights Commission resolution passed at the 54th Session of the commission, and in particular, to arrange an invitation to visit East Timor for the United Nations rapporteur on torture; to provide access for human rights organisations to East Timor; and to secure the immediate release of all political prisoners.[HL88]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government continue to encourage the Indonesian government to implement the resolution on East Timor at last year's CHR 53. We will be working closely with EU partners to achieve a positive outcome at CHR 54.

Sheikh Al Jamri

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made any representations to the Government of Bahrain for the release of Sheikh 'Abd al-Amir al-Jamri, the second anniversary of whose detention without trial falls on 22 January.[HL89]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have discussed Sheikh Al Jamri's continuing detention without charge with the Bahraini authorities on a number of occasions. We have called on them to release or charge all those held in detention. We will continue to do so.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

What response they have received to the proposal made by Mr. Derek Fatchett, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, at the annual meeting of the Bahrain Society on 4 December 1997, that the Bahrain Government should allow human rights organisations to visit the state.[HL90]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have for some time been actively encouraging the Bahraini authorities and human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International, to reach agreement on the terms for such visits. We will continue to do so.

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Human Rights

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will raise, at the forthcoming meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the practice by certain governments of putting exiles on trial without notifying them either of the charges against them or of the alleged evidence leading to the charges; giving them no opportunity of being represented at the hearing; holding the proceedings in camera; sentencing them to terms of imprisonment with no right of appeal; and then seeking to have them arrested through Interpol.[HL91]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As European Presidency, we will work hard to ensure EU positions which make clear that all people in all countries have the right to a fair hearing in determination of any criminal charge against them and to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.

India: Human Rights

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the Government of India whether they intend to invite the United Nations rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions, M. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, and Amnesty International, to visit Kashmir before the next meeting of the Human Rights Commission.[HL142]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government will continue to encourage the Indian Government to allow more visits by international human rights groups, including by UN Thematic Mechanisms and Amnesty International.

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give technical or financial assistance to human rights groups in India.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government have already provided assistance to a number of rights organisations in India. We shall continue to look for ways in which to help such groups.

Iran: Human Rights

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the United Nations General Assembly resolution of 12 December 1997 calling on Iran to stop executions for non-violent crimes, they will ask the United Nations rapporteur on Iran, Professor Maurice Danby Copithorne, to publish monthly lists of executions reported in Iran giving the name of the person executed, the date and place of execution, the method of execution, the offences for which the punishment was imposed, and whether the execution took place in public or private.[HL146]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The mandate of the special representative of the UN Commission on

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Human Rights is set by the Commission on Human Rights. It gives him authority to look into allegations of misuse of the death penalty in Iran. We will work with EU partners to ensure that this mandate is confirmed at the forthcoming session of the Commission on Human Rights. It would not be proper for the UK to influence his method of work within his mandate.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have offered to provide training for the Bahrain National Guard; whether they have considered or are considering the licensing of arms exports for use by this body; and what information they have about the human rights aspects of internal security policies in Bahrain.[HL177]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is our general policy not to disclose details of British military assistance given to other countries. Disclosure could damage our own, and wider, international relations. This policy is, however, under review in line with our commitment to greater openness in government and the House will be informed when this review is completed. We obtain information from a range of sources, both public and private (e.g., non-government organisations, the media and reporting from our Embassy in Manama).

Samaritans: Israel-Palestine

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received from the Samaritans regarding the free movement of their people between Israel and the Palestinian authority; and whether they will propose that, as a confidence-building measure, a written agreement be made between the parties confirming that the Samaritans may pass freely across the boundary in either direction, without waiting for agreement on a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding matters.[HL179]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The editor of the Samaritan News met a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official in London on 8 January. The Samaritans currently enjoy freedom of movement, but want written confirmation of their status from Israel and the Palestinian authority. We shall monitor their situation and would consider making representations on their behalf if there were signs of a serious threat to their freedom of movement.

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