HC Deb 18 March 1987 vol 112 cc916-8
6. Dr. Blackburn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the Soviet response to representations made by the United Kingdom delegation at the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe review conference in Vienna on the subject of human rights and freedom of religious rights.

Mr. Renton

No, Sir. Our delegation has vigorously raised human rights issues, including freedom of religious rights, at Vienna. We still await satisfactory answers to many of our questions, particularly from the Soviet delegation.

Dr. Blackburn

Will my hon. Friend note that there is considerable support in all parts of the House and throughout the country for the British delegation to stress the abhorrence in this country at the restriction of human and religious rights, both Jewish and Christian, in the Soviet Union? Will he give an assurance that action will be taken on these very important issues?

Mr. Renton

I very much agree with my hon. Friend. It is important to ensure that the spotlight is focused not just on the hundreds who may be obtaining release but on the thousands still suffering either for their Christian beliefs or because, as Soviet Jews, they cannot obtain exit visas. The Vienna conference provides an opportunity, and our delegation will continue to stress this.

Mr. Janner

I thank the Government for their approach to this issue. Does the Minister agree that the release, however welcome, of people such as Josef Begun, Slepak and Ida Nudel from prison or exile is not enough and that they must also be released from the Soviet Union, even if Members of this House and their spouses are not allowed into the Soviet Union? May we expect the Prime Minister to protest about both matters when she is in Moscow?

Mr. Renton

I thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for his support. I note that he has a later question—

Mr. Janner

It will not be reached.

Mr. Renton

I hope that it will be reached. That question relates to the lack of entry visas for some parliamentary colleagues to go to Moscow, which I very much regret. I have no doubt at all that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will have the whole question of human rights and the points raised by the hon. and learned Gentleman very much in mind when they visit Moscow at the end of next week.

Mr. Cormack

Does my hon. Friend accept that his last remarks will be very reassuring to most people? Will he ask our right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and our right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to stress to Mr. Gorbachev that if he is to create an atmosphere of international trust which could be the basis for real progress in disarmament talks it is essential that proper freedoms are granted in his own territories and that Jews and Christians are allowed to worship in peace and freedom?

Mr. Renton

I am sure that the whole House agrees with my hon. Friend. It is a matter not just of securing the release of the famous few but of ensuring true and proper freedoms for the obscure many. I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will have that in mind next week.

Mr. Anderson

Does the Minister agree that although we should continue to ensure that the Soviets pay a very heavy political price for their failure to release the 1,500 and more Christians who are in prison simply because of their religious activities, it would be wise at the same time to give some credit for the progress and positive signals since December and the release of Sakharov from internal exile? Does the Minister agree that in this, as in other matters, we should have a twin-track policy?

Mr. Renton

Yes, I think that the hon. Gentleman has a fair point. We are cautious about the developments that have taken place in the Soviet Union, but we are certainly ready to put Mr. Gorbachev's comments and promises to the test. The real issue is that glasnost should apply not just to some but to all. Only then will we be convinced that there is fundamental change In the Soviet Union.

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