§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal what discussion has taken place within the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the disappearances of those individuals whose relatives have been left without information about them, and for whom the authorities of the countries concerned refuse to make inquiries; in which countries most of these disappearances have occurred; and what representations Her Majesty's Government, singly or jointly with other Western countries, have made to the Governments concerned.
§ Mr. HurdRegular discussion of these matters takes place at the annual meetings of the Commission on Human Rights and the sub-commission on the prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities. In addition, a United Nations working group of independent experts is investigating individual cases. Many of the reported cases occur in Latin America. The group's work generally offers better hope of progress than bilateral representations, though we are ready to take action where we believe this to be helpful. Our concern was made clear by my right hon. and noble Friend when he addressed the General Assembly last year.