HC Deb 09 December 2002 vol 396 cc25-6W
Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken to verify the information included in the report, "Saddam Hussein: Crimes and Human Rights Abuses", published on 2 December; and what considerations underpinned the timing of the release of the report. [86138]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The report is based on the testimony of Iraqi exiles, evidence gathered by UN rapporteurs and human rights organisations, and intelligence material. The report was released to provide the public with accurate information about the ruthless nature of Saddam Hussein's regime in the context of the Government's policy towards Iraq, the focus of which is the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the(a) preparation and (b) publication of special reports on human rights abuses in (a) Israel and (b) Saudi Arabia. [86140]

Mr. Rammell

The FCO lays before Parliament an Annual Report on Human Rights detailing UK action to promote human rights around the world. This year's Report was laid on 26 September. There are sections on Israel and Saudi Arabia. HMG has no plans to issue special reports listing human rights violations in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

HMG continues to believe that in the vast majority of countries progress on human rights is best achieved by engagement and critical dialogue.