§ 3. Mr. Mike Gapes (Ilford, South)If he will make a statement on Government plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights. [54287]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Tony Lloyd)Five decades after the universal declaration of human rights was signed, it remains an inspiration and a common standard of achievement for all nations and all peoples.
We are celebrating the anniversary with other Governments, the United Nations Association and non-governmental organisations. On the occasion of the anniversary, we have introduced a series of measures to create a closer dialogue between the Foreign Office and NGOs on human rights.
§ Mr. GapesI welcome the action that the Government have taken so far. Does my hon. Friend agree that the universal declaration of human rights is just that: universal? It should therefore apply to all countries, including Malaysia, China, India and Pakistan and countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and north America. [Interruption.] Will my hon. Friend 138 reassure me that this Government, unlike their predecessor, will adopt universal standards of human rights and emphasise the importance of the United Nations and its institutions?
§ Mr. LloydI am delighted to join my hon. Friend in doing that. I was rather sorry to hear some barracking from the Opposition Benches about the universal declaration. That highlights the difference between the present Government and their predecessors in their commitment to human rights issues. In every part of the world the universal declaration has played a significant role in improving observance of and respect for human rights, but in every part of the world there are still areas where improvements are needed. Perhaps the finest way in which we could mark the 50th anniversary would be to ensure that the universal declaration is indeed universal.
§ Mrs. Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham)When making his plans for the anniversary of the declaration of human rights, will the Minister recall that the last Conservative Government had an excellent record on human rights, and that last year and every year for the past 10 years the Conservative Government co-sponsored a UN resolution calling for an improvement in China's human rights situation? Can the Minister explain why his Government have failed to renew that resolution? Does that failure to renew not confirm the accusation by Wei Jingsheng, probably the most famous Chinese prisoner of conscience, that the present Foreign Secretary is two-faced, and show that Labour's supposedly ethical foreign policy is hypocritical and spineless? Will the Government support that resolution when it comes back to the next UN meeting?
§ Mr. LloydThat is a very good try, but it is a shame that the Conservatives must make human rights a matter of party politics. The reality is that, when the resolution went through, the European Union nations were split. The Conservatives know that. Under the present Government and the present Foreign Secretary, we have a united European Union position with respect to China. We have seen progress in China, and Mary Robinson and the Prime Minister recently visited that country. Unlike the situation under the previous Government, the human rights debate with China is now on-going.
§ Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)Is my hon. Friend aware of newspaper reports today that suggest that the Foundation for Human Rights in the EU will close at the end of the year? That is worrying news for non-governmental organisations all over the world, including Redress Trust, the London-based charity that, among other things, deals with the victims of torture in Chile. That organisation is likely to lose up to half its funding. Will my hon. Friend act as a matter of urgency to ensure that that does not occur?
§ Mr. LloydThere can be no doubt that NGOs play an important role in maintaining respect for human rights worldwide. It is sad to see a threat to any legitimate organisation operating in that area. I do not know about the particular events leading to the situation that my hon. Friend describes, but I shall take her remarks on board and inquire as to the proper position and how the problem may be resolved.