Mr. Christopher Westen (Hansard, 20 November 1974)

§ Mr Stoddart
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Greek Government about the placing of Christopher Westen in handcuffs for three days in contravention of Article 5 of the Declaration of Human Rights and of Rule 33 of the United Nations on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (A/CONF/6/1).

§ Mr. Hattersley
No. Although the Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Rules on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Prisoners set out general principles which Governments and individuals should strive to attain they do not have any binding force on Governments. Mr. Westen has not asked us to make any representations on his behalf.

§ Mr. Stoddart
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek information from the Greek Government as to whether the whole or part of the sentence of 27 months' imprisonment imposed on Mr. Christopher Westen on 11th November 1974 is likely to be remitted.

§ Mr. Hattersley
No. There is provision in Greek law for an application for remission of sentence. Mr. Westen is aware of the procedure to be followed and will be given whatever help is necessary at the appropriate time.

§ Mr. Stoddart
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether consular officials in Greece made any representations to the Greek Government during the three days that Mr. Christopher Westen was placed in handcuffs in contravention of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

§ Mr. Hattersley
They did not. The consulate did not learn of the handcuffing of Mr. Westen until after it had ceased; nor has he subsequently asked them to make representations about it.

Mr. Stodart
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to ascertain whether Mr. Christopher Westen, held in a Greek gaol, was given the opportunity under Rule 30(2) of the United Nations Rules on the 421W Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders to present a proper defence against the crime alleged against him and from which he was subsequently exonerated.

§ Mr. Hattersley
The prison authorities carried out a thorough investigation of the alleged escape attempt during which Mr. Westen was examined by the prison governor and successfully stated his case.