HC Deb 20 January 1977 vol 924 c308W
Mr. Pattie

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of his policy on the violation of human rights in the USSR, in preparation for the United Kingdom's attendance at the forthcoming Belgrade conference to review the implementation of the Final Act of the Conference on European Security and Co-operation.

Mr. Luard

Her Majesty's Government deplore all violations of human rights, wherever they occur, and naturally expect the Soviet Union to honour its commitments in respect both of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. It is the Government's policy to bring to the attention of the Soviet authorities at every suitable opportunity the deep concern which is rightly felt in this country about human rights cases. As my right hon. Friend has frequently stated, we believe that quiet but persistent representations about such cases are the best means of achieving results. The Government will not be satisfied until all the human rights provisions of the Final Act have been implemented by all the signatory States.