Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the proposal by the Indian Government to legislate for a human rights commission.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narasimha Rao, told my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 25 January that legislation to establish a human rights commission in India would be introduced during the current session of the Indian Parliament. The commission would be composed of internationally known independent human rights experts.
Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what access arrangements have been agreed by the Indian Government for Amnesty International and other agencies to Punjab and Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narasimha Rao, told my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 25 January that the Indian Government had decided to allow some access in India to Amnesty International and Asia Watch, although they could not go to states where there was trouble and where the visit could itself lead to tensions. But as things calmed down, such organisations could gradually be able to travel more widely.