§ 16. Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his attitude to the Council of Europe draft convention on human rights and, in particular, the extension of compensation to victims of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
§ Mr. WhitneyI assume that the draft convention to which the hon. Member refers is the draft convention on the protection of detainees from torture and from cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment at present being discussed by the Council of Europe. We are concerned to respond positively to measures which will genuinely improve the enjoyment of human rights. However, the draft convention contains no provision extending compensation of victims of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
§ 26. Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his attitude to the Council of Europe draft convention on human rights and, in particular, the proposal to have unannounced visits to places of detention.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are concerned to respond positively to measures which will genuinely improve the enjoyment of human rights. The proposal for unannounced visits to places of detention contained in the draft convention on the protection of detainees from torture and from cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment is an interesting one, but it does give rise to certain practical problems. We are participating in negotiations with a view to resolving these problems.
§ 32. Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his attitude to the Council of Europe draft convention on human rights and, in particular, the proposal to outlaw judicial amputations and floggings.
§ Mr. WhitneyI stated our attitude to the draft convention earlier today in my reply to the question from 693W the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. Hughes). It does not, however, contain, any provision outlawing judicial amputations and floggings.