HC Deb 26 January 1984 vol 52 cc679-80W
Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government have protested recently to the Iranian authorities over the human rights record of that country; and what international organisations have been contacted.

Mr. Luce

We have made clear to the Iranian Government on many occasions our concern at violations of human rights. We co-sponsored the United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution on this question in March 1983. Our continuing concern was expressed by the European Community Presidency at the United Nations in December.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effort he makes to monitor the human rights record of Iran.

1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 (1984)
EXCO unofficials
(i) 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 8 (8)
(ii) 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 (1)
(iii) 1 1 1 1 1 1 (1)
Total membership 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 17 (16)
Percentage of unofficial members 57 57 57 57 60 60 60 60 60 65 (62.5)
LEGCO unofficials
(i) 11 11 17 17 19 19 19 21 22 25 (25)
(ii) 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 3 2 (2)
(iii) 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 (2)
Total membership 29 29 41 41 44 44 47 50 49 47 (47)
Percentage of unofficial members 52 52 54 54 55 55 55 54 55 62 (62)

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportions, and how many, of the official members of the Executive and Legislative Councils in Hong Kong speak a Chinese dialect fluently.

Mr. Luce

In the Executive Council, two out of the six official members that—is, 33 per cent. — and in the

Mr. Luce

The British interests section in Tehran reports regularly on human rights in Iran. We also keep in close touch with our partners in the Ten and with developments at the United Nations.

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