HL Deb 15 October 1996 vol 574 c177WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they refuse to permit the right of individual petition to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, under Article 22 of the Convention Against Torture.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We consider that the existing means through which allegations of torture or other inhuman, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment may be pursued are satisfactory. These include action in domestic courts and, in appropriate cases, recourse to the European Commission on Human Rights and European Court of Human Rights, under the European Convention of Human Rights.