§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries to which he made representations in 1998 about imprisonment of elected members of parliament where such members are held in prison for alleged political offences; and if he will make a statement. [74622]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe condemn the detention of any individual on the basis of his or her political beliefs. Detention of an elected representative is a particularly blatant abuse in that it demonstrates a total disregard, not just for that individual's rights, but for the whole democratic process.
We regularly raise cases of political detainees with the authorities concerned. We do so both bilaterally and with EU partners, at official and Ministerial level. However, we do not keep a central list of all such approaches.
More generally, we are working through dialogue, practical assistance and, where necessary, criticism to promote the full enjoyment of political freedoms by all.
944WIf the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind, I should be happy to give a more detailed response.