§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will draw the attention of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations to the allegations of inhuman treatment of the opponents to the régime in Iran.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I do not know of the specific allegations to which the noble Lord refers. But I would point out that we are restricted by the United Nations Charter from interfering in the domestic affairs of a member state.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that I shall be glad to send him evidence? Is it also not the case that while we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries we have the right as a Government to bring such matters to the attention of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations? Is the noble Marquess aware that when I send him the evidence he will probably find that Iran is a greater offender in this respect than any country in the world, Communist, semi-Fascist, African or Asian?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I shall be glad to receive any details of evidence that the noble Lord cares to send to me and I will pass them on to my right honourable friend. I should also like to confirm what the noble Lord says: we participate fully in the discussions in the Human Rights Commission. As for the noble Lord's specific question, as I say, if he cares to let me 846 have any details I will see that they are passed on to my right honourable friend.
§ LORD AVEBURYMy Lords, although the noble Marquess says he has not received any information about these allegations, did not Her Majesty's Government receive documents from Amnesty International at the end of last year, including a complaint about the detention of Amnesty International's representative who was sent to Iran to investigate the conditions of the detainees? In view of the fact that foreign citizens are involved as well as the citizens of Iran, is this not a matter which should legitimately be placed before the Human Rights Commission?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly look into what the noble Lord has said.
§ LORD MAYBRAY-KINGMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that those of us who know Iran would not agree with the very severe strictures uttered on Iran by the noble Lord, Lord Brockway?
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in thanking the Minister for his reply—which has become almost a daily expression—may I ask him whether it is the case that the Federal Government of Germany have shown concern about this matter, following the visit of Chancellor Brandt? Have there been any communications from that Government to other Western Governments on this matter?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am afraid that I cannot answer the noble Lord on that point without notice; but I will certainly look into the matter for him.