§ 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 if they will take the initiative in proposing a new procedure for the consideration and publication of the Report of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities which may now be held secret for approximately two years before reference to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)No, my Lords. The Report of the Sub-Commission is not held in secret but published by the United Nations Secretariat as soon as possible after its adoption by the Sub-Commission.
§ LORD BROCKWAYBut, my Lords, would the noble Baroness not agree that there is unacceptable delay? Is she aware that there are thousands of complaints—there were 27,000 last year—and that only once in the last five years has the Sub-Commission made any report on the violation of human rights by Governments?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BEL-HELVIEMy Lords, I understand that this year the Sub-Commission was unable to adopt its Report owing to the lack of a quorum.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is that not the fault of the Governments which nominate the members of the Sub-Commission? Is it not the case that a Report is now being considered and will 636 not reach the United Nations Human Rights Commission until next spring, and that then, according to The Times, it will be two years before it reaches the United Nations Economic and Social Council and is published? By then, all the conditions may have changed. Indeed, complainants may be dead by then.
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the noble Lord has revealed to us that he has got his information from that organ, The Times; but the fact remains that the Sub-Commission is empowered to present to the Human Rights Commission its confidential findings on petitions sent to the Secretary-General. Therefore, as they are confidential, naturally I am unable to comment on them.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, on this occasion does not The Times appear to be right?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEI do not know, my Lords.
§ LORD BROCKWAYBut is it not the case that the Report of the Sub-Commission has to go to the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations which will be next spring; that it then has to go to the United Nations Economic and Social Council; and that it will he two years before the complaints of the last few years will even be reported upon?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the fact remains that the procedure for considering petitions and the work of the Sub-Commission is confidential, and the majority of members consider that it should remain so.