Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Algerian Government on co-operation with the UN(a) Special Rapporteur on Torture, (b) Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions and (c) Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; and what undertakings he has received from the Algerian Government in this regard. [81986]
§ Mr. FatchettI visited the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva on 31 March to deliver the UK national speech. In it, I mentioned our disappointment at Algeria's continued refusal to grant access to the Special Rapporteurs on Torture and on Extrajudicial Killings. With our support, the EU also urged the Algerian government to cooperate with the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances.
We have received no undertakings from the Algerian government to cooperate with these UN bodies, even though they are obliged to do so by UN rules.
Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are proposing to take at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights in respect of human rights abuses in Algeria. [81987]
§ Mr. FatchettWhile delivering the UK national speech to this year's UN Commission on Human Rights on 31 March, I expressed our continued disappointment at Algeria's refusal to allow UN human rights bodies access to the country, even though they are obliged to do so.