Algeria (Hansard, 10 June 1998)

§ Dr. Vis
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will urge the United Nations to appoint a special rapporteur on Algeria with a mandate to co-ordinate an investigation into the massacres and other human rights abuses there. [44065]

§ Mr. Fatchett
In our regular contacts with the Algerian Government, we continue to emphasise the contribution to transparency and international confidence that would follow from co-operation with Special Rapporteurs. To date the Algerians have declined to allow rapporteurs to visit. We continue to watch developments in Algeria closely and will consider our position carefully at this year's United Nations General Assembly.

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had with the Algerian Government concerning the human rights situation in Algeria since 19 February. [44384]

§ Mr. Fatchett
Officials have had a number of discussions with Algerian counterparts on human rights in Algeria since February. This subject was covered when my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Algerian Foreign Minister on 3 June.

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Algeria; and what is his assessment of changes since the visit of the Minister of State on 20 January. [44383]
612W

§ Mr. Fatchett
We note that the level of violence has decreased substantially since Ramadhan, although terrorist activities do continue, particularly bombings in the capital. We understand that the Algerian Government have successfully carried out counter-insurgency operations. The authorities have arrested a number of officials on charges of human rights abuses; and over a hundred members of the Algerian police force languish in prison on similar charges. Nevertheless, we remain deeply concerned about the situation in Algeria and the allegations of continued human rights abuses there. We continuously monitor the situation, through official, NGO and media reports. Throughout our Presidency of the European Union we have maintained a broad-based political dialogue with Algeria, most recently a meeting between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Algerian Foreign Minister.