§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the UK intends to sign and ratify Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, banning the death penalty in all circumstances including in times of war and imminent threat of war, when it is opened for signature on 3 May 2002. [HL4074]
§ The Lord ChancellorYes. The Government will sign Protocol 13 with a view to ratification when it is opened for signature at the next Council of Ministers meeting at Vilnius on 2 and 3 May. We will seek Parliament's approval under the Human Rights Act to add this protocol to the convention rights set out in that Act.