HL Deb 18 January 1979 vol 397 cc1157-9

3.13 p.m.

Lord CHELWOOD

My 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 summarise the main points in the appeal recently sent by spokesmen for Charter 77 and the Committee for the Defence of Persons Unjustly Prosecuted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with copies to Heads of Governments that signed the Helsinki Final Act, and the reply that has been sent; and whether they will place the full text of both in the Library.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, the appeal alleges continued persecution of dissidents in Czechoslovakia and urges the United Nations and foreign Governments to maintain their concern. The reply sent by the Prime Minister's office expressed his deep concern at the actions taken against defenders of human rights. The text of the appeal and the reply sent will be placed in the Library.

Lord CHELWOOD

My Lords, since this first appeal by Charter 77 to the West followed 21 public appeals to their own Government, all of which were ignored, may I put two brief questions to the noble Lord? First, do the Government broadly—I emphasise that word—accept the detailed account of the harassment and persecution of Czechoslovak dissidents, bearing in mind their right to try to keep their Government up to the mark is actually written into the Final Act of Helsinki? Secondly, apart from ineffective verbal protests, what action are the Government considering in conjunction with our Western allies to try to bring home to the Czechoslovak Government that they have duties and obligations under the United Nations Covenants on Human Rights and under the Helsinki Final Act?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I have no doubt that broadly speaking the allegations are true: persecution, harassment continues in Czechoslovakia and so does our condemnation of these practices, which are wholly in contravention of the signed agreements in the Final Act of Helsinki. As to our further action, while we maintain our bilateral pressures on Czechoslovakia and similar like-minded countries and with our allies, who similarly take action to put their points forward, I should like to add that this country is foremost in promoting the necessary preparations for the follow-up conference in Madrid, which will probably be held in 1980, when we hope to build on the results of Belgrade, and indeed markedly improve upon them, especially in the field of the observation of human rights.

Lord AVEBURY

My Lords, can the Minister confirm that none of the Socialist countries, including Czechoslovakia, has signed the optional protocol to the covenant on civil and political rights, which allows for individual complaints against the violation of human rights in one's country? In view of this fact, would the noble Lord not think that it was entirely proper that individuals, such as those members of Charter 77 who are referred to in this Question, should be able to present their case through Western Governments at the review in Madrid which the noble Lord mentioned?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, that is perfectly possible. It is not for me to anticipate in detail the agenda or the forms of the follow-up meeting in Madrid, but certainly the suggestion made by the noble Lord is one for very careful and, I would say, favourable consideration. As to the participation of Eastern European and other States in various protocols and conventions relating to the observance of human rights, I could not off-hand answer for every country, but I think that what he has said is unfortunately all too true in too many cases.

Baroness ELLES

My Lords, although we do not now have a representative on the Commission of Human Rights of the United Nations, which I think is regrettable, can the Minister inform the House whether, in view of the next session which is to be held in Geneva towards the end of February or the beginning of March, the Government have considered taking any concerted action with those Western members who have representatives on the Commission of Human Rights to raise this issue?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, certainly it is a continuing practice and policy to consult and to concert with like-minded countries, and of course our partners and allies, particularly in democratic Europe. We can, of course, build on this and add to our consultations and concerted action with members of the non-aligned group who, I am delighted to say, are much more ready to address themselves to the important points raised in this Question than they were a few years ago.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, does the Minister remember that the recent conference of the International Labour Office considered these charges in detail and decided, with the support of Her Majesty's Government, to make representations to the Czechoslovakian Government? Has any reply been received to those representations?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, if my noble friend is referring to representations by the ILO, I should need notice of that question.