HL Deb 20 April 1994 vol 554 c12WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish in the Official Report the statement made by the European Union Representatives at the Human Rights Commission on 2nd March, on the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The EU made the following statement on Bangladesh at the 50th session of the UNCHR:

The European Union remains concerned about the human rights situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, and hopes that the political dialogue between the Bangladesh authorities and the political representatives of the Shanti Bahini will lead to a peaceful and lasting political solution acceptable to all parties involved. We welcome the Bangladesh-India joint statement of 10th May 1993 on repatriation of all tribal refugees from Tripura (India) to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and will watch its implementation closely. We welcome the regular dialogue between the European Union and the Government of Bangladesh, which provides a useful opportunity for discussing human rights issues, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made representations to the Bangladesh Government concerning the Resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Commission urging all governments to respond to communications from the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions; whether they have now encouraged the Bangladesh Government to invite Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye to visit Chittagong Hill Tracts as he had requested, and what have been the results of their initiatives.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We are considering how best to follow up all requests by UN Special Rapporteurs to visit specific countries and have not made representations to the Bangladesh Government. They are already well aware of Mr. Ndiaye's wish to visit Bangladesh.