§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries the UK delegation to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva has(a) voted for and (b) voted against with re ard to a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [62419]
§ Mr. MacShaneIn accordance with her mandate established by the UN General Assembly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has a central role to play in ensuring that human rights are fully integrated in the work of the UN. Mrs. Robinson determines her own travel programme. Since she took office in 1997, she has visited a large number of countries in all regions of the world at the invitation of their Governments or other organisations (eg to attend a conference). It is rare for country resolutions at the Commission on Human Rights to include provision for a visit by the high commissioner. When that is the case, the UK voting position is determined by the merit of the resolution.