§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will urge the Belgian Presidency of the European Union that the guidelines they are drawing up on the question of human rights dialogues with third countries should first be published in draft so that the comments of human rights non-governmental organisations and national parliaments of member states can be sought before the guidelines are finalised. [HL1886]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe EU guidelines on human rights dialogues were agreed at Council on 13 December. The preparation of these guidelines was among the issues discussed at the EU Human Rights Forum in Brussels on 21–22 November, attended by human rights non-governmental organisations and Members of the European Parliament. The implementation of these and other EU guidelines on human rights issues will be the subject of continuing discussion among member states, non-governmental organisations, parliamentarians and other interested parties.