HC Deb 18 November 1986 vol 105 cc143-4W
Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make representations to the Soviet Union on human rights balance implementation of the Helsinki agreement; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what representations he has made to the Soviet Union regarding human rights in the Soviet Union; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if he will consider asking the Soviet Union to allow relatives in the Soviet Union to visit their relatives in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if he discussed the issue of reunification of divided families with Mr. Shevardnadze, the Soviet Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

We attach the greatest importance to securing Soviet improvements to human rights and human contacts, including family reunification, and raise these matters frequently with the Soviet authorities. My right hon. and learned Friend discussed them with Mr. Shevardnadze in Vienna on 4 November. The Vienna CSCE follow-up meeting, now under way, will provide further opportunities to press the Soviet Union to live up to all its commitments under the Helsinki Final Act and Madrid concluding document.

Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make representations to the Soviet Union on verification for compliance with the human rights provision of the 1975 Helsinki agreement; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will consider seeking the appointment of a special human rights panel which would have the right to visit all parts of the Soviet Union to check compliance with the Helsinki agreement on human rights; and will he make a statement;

(3) if he will consider making representations to the Soviet Union towards accepting the verification plan on human rights; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

We will look closely at any new initiatives for verifying compliance with human rights commitments, including those referred to by my hon. Friend, in the context of the Vienna CSCE follow-up meeting, but it is our aim to hold a thorough debate at Vienna on the implementation of existing commitments before turning to new ideas.