§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in respect of human rights abuses in Algeria from(a) non-Governmental organisations and (b) members of the public; and if he will make a statement. [36855]
§ Mr. FatchettI met representatives of the United Nations Association, Amnesty International, the Refugee Council and the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture on 25 February to discuss their concerns about the human rights situation in Algeria. I will meet them again today (31 March) along with a representative of Human Rights Watch. My right hon. Friend the Foreign 459W Secretary and I receive a large number of letters from members of the public about Algeria which reflect similar concerns.
We continue to be concerned about allegations of human rights violations in Algeria, and raise these concerns as part of our ongoing dialogue with the Algerian Government.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has initiated as President of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in respect of human rights in Algeria; and if he will make a statement. [36973]
§ Mr. FatchettIn January 1998, I led an EU troika to Algeria. During that visit and subsequently, we have continued to encourage the Algerians to accept a visit by UN Special Rapporteurs to Algeria as well as allow greater access for the international media.
We continue to be concerned about the allegations of human rights violations in Algeria, and raise these concerns as part of our ongoing dialogue with the Algerian Government.