HC Deb 09 March 1983 vol 38 cc827-9
6. Mr. Radice

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any further communication from the Soviet Government about Mr. Anatoly Shcharansky.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Malcolm Rifkind)

We have received no direct response from the Soviet authorities to my right hon. Friend's request made to the Soviet ambassador on 7 February for Mr. Shcharansky's release. However, Mr. Shcharansky's case was raised during the recent visit of the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Ryzhov.

Mr. Radice

Is the Minister aware that the Opposition are opposed to the denial of human rights wherever that happens? Will the Minister and the Foreign Office continue to raise the question of Mr. Shcharansky in any way possible?

Mr. Rifkind

I am well aware that the Government have the support of the vast majority of hon. Members on both sides of the House. Human rights has been a major issue raised by the British delegation to the Madrid conference that is currently taking place.

Mr. Whitney

Does my hon. Friend agree that what is happening to Anatoly Shcharansky shows the falsity of the Opposition's stance on nuclear disarmament? Is not one-sided disarmament based on complete equality of human rights in the East and the West—which manifestly is not the case?

Mr. Rifkind

There is no doubt that the denial of human rights in the Soviet Union is one of the fundamental difficulties that prevents the West trusting the objectives and speeches of the Soviet leaders. There is no doubt that an improvement in human rights would make a major contribution to improving relations between East and West.

Mr. George Robertson

Does the Minister realise that many Opposition Members do not accept the extravagant language used yesterday by President Reagan when he described the Soviet Union as having the aggressive impulses of an evil empire? Nevertheless, is he aware that we despair at the continued harassment of such dissidents as Anatoly Shcharansky and the Estonian Mrs. Lagle Parek, who was arrested last week in Tartu? Is he further aware that he will have our continued support in calling for their liberation, as he will also have if he uses his influence to moderate the language used in Orlando, Florida by the President of the United States.

Mr. Rifkind

There are at least 2 million Afghan refugees who find that President Reagan's comments accord with their experience of the Soviet Union. I agree with the hon. Gentleman's views on human rights.

Mr. Rhodes James

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is not, and should never be, a party matter? Is not genuine and profound concern felt in the House for those deprived of their human rights in the Soviet Union or elsewhere? In addition to Mr. Shcharansky, will my hon. Friend comment on another case—alas one of many—that of Dr. Begun?

Mr. Rifkind

I received a close friend of Dr. Begun who was travelling to the United Kingdom seeking the support of Western Governments for representations to the Soviet Union. Arising out of that visit we have made representations to the Soviet Union both at Madrid and in other forums.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Might not the Soviet Government be more amenable to reason if the Government took action to release the 5,000-odd British people who have been in prison for over two years, for whom nothing has been done, and who have not even had a mock trial? Will the Minister have a word with the Home Seretary to see whether something might be done about it?

Mr. Rifkind

The hon. Gentleman does himself and this country a disservice by seeking to make the spurious and superficial comparison that he has.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Ask the 5,000 in prison.

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