HC Deb 17 May 1993 vol 225 cc45-6W
Mr. Jon Owen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to prevent human rights violations in Cambodia.

Mr. Goodlad

The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia is mandated to oversee the human rights situation in the country.

We have encouraged UNTAC in the various steps it has taken to pursue human rights abuses, including the appointment of a special prosecutor. As well as our assessed contributions to UNTAC's costs, we have made a voluntary contribution of £70,000 to its human rights component. In addition, we actively support human rights groups in Cambodia and have organised programmes in the United Kingdom for their representatives to meet British human rights groups and Government officials. We have also paid for the translation and distribution within Cambodia of the two international human rights covenants signed by the supreme national council in April 1992.

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that human rights are protected in Cambodia once UNTAC withdraws.

Mr. Goodlad

We co-sponsored the resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in February requesting the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special representative to co-ordinate the UN's human rights presence in Cambodia after the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia's withdrawal. The former President of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino, has since been nominated for this role.

The resolution also mandated the centre for human rights to run a human rights programme in Cambodia after UNTAC has withdrawn.

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what pressure is being brought to bear on the state of Cambodia to ensure co-operation with UNTAC and with the implementation of UNTAC's proposals.

Mr. Goodlad

The Secretary-General's representative to Cambodia and the signatories to the Paris agreements are in regular contact with the authorities of the state of Cambodia to secure maximum compliance with their obligations under the Paris agreements including those in respect of the electoral process, human rights and the ceasefire.