HC Deb 24 February 1994 vol 238 cc315-6W
Mr. Boateng

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to publish the Government's position on negotiations to alter the means of petitioning the European Court of Human Rights;

(2) what plans he has to argue for the alteration of the system of petitioning the European Court of Human Rights; and what system he will propose.

Mr. Charles Wardle

At present, under the European Convention on Human Rights, acceptance by member states of the right of individuals within their jurisdiction to petition the European Commission on Human Rights may be on a renewable or indefinite basis. Since 1966 the Government, in successive declarations, has recognised the competence of the Commission to receive such petitions from people who claim to be the victims of a violation of the convention in the United Kingdom.

We are currently considering a proposal within the Council of Europe that indefinite acceptance of the right of individual petition should be a requirement on member states.

Mr. Boateng

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the President of the European Court of Human Rights.

Mr. Charles Wardle

My right hon. and learned Friend has not met the President of the European Court of Human Rights.

Mr. Boateng

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals the Government have made to reform the European Court of Human Rights.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Government are contributing fully to work within the Council of Europe on the reform of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights by their replacement with a single body, with the aim of enabling the increasing number of cases to be dealt with more speedily while maintaining the highest standards of jurisprudence.

Mr. Boateng

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the right of United Kingdom citizens to seek legal redress for violations of the European declaration of human rights.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Government fully accept, and have no plans to review, their obligations under article 13 of the European convention on human rights to provide effective national remedies in respect of claims of violations of the convention. Under present arrangements, the right of individuals within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom to petition the European Commission of Human Rights will be reviewed in 1996. We are currently considering the proposal that indefinite acceptance of that right should be a requirement on states party to the convention.