§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to request that the Human Rights Inquiry Commission established by the UN Human Rights Commission(a) includes forensic and ballistic experts and (b) is given the means to conduct their investigations. [136454]
§ Mr. HainThe Human Rights Inquiry Commission has yet to be endorsed by a special session of the Economic and Social Council to be convened in New York.
(a) It is for the UNCHR Inquiry Commission to decide who the members should be and what skills will be required.
368W(b) It is our understanding that a voluntary contribution has already been offered by a third party to ensure the investigations could be conducted successfully.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government will take to support the investigation of the Human Rights Inquiry Commission established by the UN Human Rights Commission to collect information about violations of human rights and international law committed by the Israeli occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territories since 28 September. [136452]
§ Mr. HainThe Human Rights Inquiry Commission has yet to be endorsed by a special session of the Economic and Social Council to be convened in New York.
However, we strongly encourage both Israelis and Palestinians to take action on any human rights abuses that might have been committed during the recent troubles. We would expect both sides to co-operate fully with an internationally approved human rights inquiry.