Algeria (Hansard, 10 March 1998)

§ 18. Mr. Waterson
What assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Algeria following the recent EU troika mission. [31815]

§ Mr. Fatchett
The Government continue to be concerned about the situation in Algeria. We discuss human rights in our bilateral contacts with the Algerians and as the European Union presidency. We are encouraging parliamentary exchanges, greater access by international media and visits by United Nations rapporteurs to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Algeria.

§ Mr. Waterson
I thank the Minister for that answer. Does he agree that it is an absolute disgrace that, in this day and age, a country such as Algeria is being terrorised and brutalised, that many people are being murdered in terrorist activity, and that those atrocities have so little resonance in the world outside? Is there not more that we could do, as an individual nation and through the European Union, not only to put the spotlight on those dreadful atrocities, but to try to end them?

§ Mr. Fatchett
In our presidency, the United Kingdom has already taken one initiative on behalf of the European Union, responding to public concern in Europe. I led a European Union troika visit to Algeria. We established a political dialogue with the Algerian Government—part of which was to discuss the terrorist situation there—which we hope will continue. On behalf of the European Union, I invited the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs to come to London during the United Kingdom presidency to meet my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

§ Mr. Corbyn
Has the Minister had an opportunity to discuss the proceedings of the parliamentary human rights group, which held an open meeting to take evidence on abuses of human rights in Algeria from a wide variety of sources—although the ambassador himself refused to attend? Is he aware that much of the evidence received by 316 the group seemed to suggest that many of the human rights abuses and illegal killings in Algeria emanated from the army or from elements in Algerian society that are close to the army, and that there must be a very robust exchange with the Algerian Government if we are to put a stop to the killings there?

§ Mr. Fatchett
I have had the opportunity to read that evidence, which was shocking. It again made the point that, sadly, life is cheap in Algeria, and that too many lives have been lost there. During my visit to Algeria, I stressed to the Algerian Government that it was important for them to be open and accountable in their human rights record. I also suggested that the United Nations special rapporteurs should visit Algeria, so that they have an opportunity to report on some of the issues that have been raised by my hon. Friend. I think that that is very much the best way for the Algerian Government to deal with all the allegations and potential criticisms that have been made of them.