HL Deb 29 June 1995 vol 565 cc59-60WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their Answer of 1st March 1995 (HL Deb., WA97), when the reviews of legislation in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands respectively began, pending the possible inclusion in the constitutions of both territories of Bills of Rights, and by when the reviews are expected to be concluded.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The reviews of legislation in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands will commence once the legislatures in both territories have agreed to the provisions currently under consideration for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. It is not possible to state when such agreement will be reached.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their Answer of 1st March 1995 (HL Deb., WA97), what steps they have taken to ensure that victims of violations of the European Convention on Human Rights by the public authorities of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands respectively have effective domestic remedies in those territories.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

As I stated in my Answer on 1 March, we are satisfied that the obligations accepted on behalf of both territories under the convention are fulfilled. But we are encouraging the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands to consider how to give further domestic legal protection to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their Answer of 1st March 1995 (HL Deb., WA97), whether they will ensure, when renewing the right of individual petition under the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands respectively, that victims of any violations of the Convention by the public authorities, occurring during the period since January 1986 when the right of individual petition has not been renewed, are able to complain to the European Commission of Human Rights under Article 25 of the Convention in respect of such violations; and if not why not.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Any decision to renew the right of individual petition under the convention will be taken by us with the agreement of the Governments of the British Virgin Islands and of the Cayman Islands. The question of whether the right would include matters which took place prior to renewal of the right would be a matter for discussion with those governments at the time, in the light of the relevant provisions of the convention.