HC Deb 22 May 1989 vol 153 c351W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the human rights record of Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Waldegrave

We regularly receive letters from hon. Members and from members of the public on Czechoslovakia's human rights record, which gives considerable grounds for concern.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the imprisonment by the Czechoslovakian authorities of Mr. Ivan Jirous.

Mr. Waldegrave

We have received a series of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public on the imprisonment by the Czechoslovak authorities of Mr. Ivan Jirous.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made by his Department to the Czechoslovakian authorities concerning the imprisonment of Mr. Ivan Jirous.

Mr. Waldegrave

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State stressed our deep concern at the imprisonment of Mr. Ivan Jirous to a member of the Czechoslovak leadership, Mr. Miroslav Stepan, when he called on 15 May.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining his Department's assessment of human rights in Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Waldegrave

We would like to see a substantial improvement in Czechoslovakia's unsatisfactory record on human rights. The Czechoslovak authorities have said they propose to bring their domestic legislation into line with their CSCE commitments. We urge them to do this without delay, and in the meantime to act in the spirit of those commitments.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to encourage the Government of Czechoslovakia to improve its record on human rights.

Mr. Waldegrave

We shall continue to raise abuses of human rights in Czechoslovakia with their authorities whenever necessary, and urge the Czechoslovak Government to fulfil their commitments and improve its record in this sphere.