East Timor

HC Deb 30 March 1994 vol 240 cc802-3W

19. Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in East Timor.

Mr. Goodlad

We believe the Indonesian Government have made progress in observing their human rights obligations. We are encouraging them to continue this positive trend and, in particular, to co-operate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms.

26. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian Government over the illegal occupation of East Timor.

Mr. Goodlad

We are encouraging Indonesia and Portugal to continue to co-operate with the United Nations Secretary General to find a solution to East Timor.

We hope the return to consensus language at this year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights will help provide an atmosphere conducive to progress at the next round of talks on the territory's future between Portugal and Indonesia under the Secretary-General's auspices in May.