Former Soviet Union

HC Deb 16 June 1998 vol 314 cc200-1W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government have initiated to promote human rights in the former Soviet Union. [45501]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Through the Know-How Fund and other budgets, HMG implement projects designed to support human rights activities, including visits to the UK by key human rights figures and training of judges and law enforcement officers. We also raise specific human rights cases and general problems with the countries concerned, bilaterally or jointly with EU partners.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government have taken to help to stabilise democracy within the former Soviet Union. [45500]

Mr. Doug Henderson

HMG spent £50 million in 1996–97 (the last year for which full figures are available) on bilateral assistance for the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This supported a number of projects in the field of good governance, including election monitoring in Ukraine and Armenia and the development of non-governmental organisations in several countries.