HC Deb 18 November 1987 vol 122 cc594-5W
39. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about violations of human rights in Afghanistan.

Mr. Eggar

Widespread violations of human rights in Afghanistan have been documented in the interim report by Dr. Ermacora, special rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on human rights, presented recently to the General Assembly.

53. Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the Soviet proposal to hold a conference on human rights in Moscow within the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe process.

Mr. Mellor

We believe that the ambitious proposal on the human dimension tabled by the Western countries offers the best means of maintaining the CSCE dialogue on human rights and contacts after Vienna. We are carefully monitoring Soviet willingness to negotiate seriously on humanitarian issues in Vienna and their human rights record. We doubt whether in current circumstances it would be appropriate to hold a humanitarian conference in Moscow.

41. Mr. Haynes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Chilean authorities since August over the continuing abuses of human rights in that country.

Mr. Eggar

Her Majesty's ambassador repeatedly expresses our concern over human rights abuses in Chile.

Both at the General Assembly in New York on 25 September, and again in London on 23 October when my right hon. and learned Friend saw the Chilean Foreign Minister, he took the opportunity to re-emphasise our concerns, which I also discussed in detail with Senor Garcia.

70. Mr. Brandon-Bravo

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on human rights in Afghanistan.

Mr. Eggar

Widespread violations of human rights in Afghanistan have been documented in the interim report by Dr. Ermacora, special rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, presented recently to the General Assembly.