§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to give all British subjects the right to appeal direct to the United Nations if they consider that their rights under the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have been violated.
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§ Mr. LuardNo. Her Majesty's Government's decision not to ratify the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights providing for a right of individual petition was taken after careful consideration. However, the hon. Member will be aware that by our acceptance of Article 25 of the European Convention on Human Rights all persons of whatever nationality have the right of recourse to the European Commission of Human Rights if they consider themselves victims of an infringement by the United Kingdom Government of the rights set out in the convention. These rights are broadly similar to those in the United Nations Covenant.