HC Deb 01 November 1990 vol 178 cc699-700W
Mr. Butcher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited India; and if he was able to take the opportunity to visit the Punjab.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not yet visited India. I visited India on 21 to 26 September, but I did not have an opportunity to go to the Punjab.

Mr. Butcher

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received reports of infringements of human rights in the Punjab from Amnesty International or from any other source.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We have received Amnesty International's 1990 report, which includes references to human rights abuses in the Punjab. We have repeatedly made clear our concern to the Indian Government that human rights must be respected and have also urged them to exercise the greatest restraint in dealing with the violent challenge to law and order from militant groups.

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