§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals are (i) being detained, post conviction and (ii) awaiting trial in(a) Egypt, (b) Jordan, (c) Lebanon, (d) Syria, (e) Turkey, (f) Iraq, (g) Iran, (h) Israel, (i) Algeria, (j) Morocco, (k) Libya, (1) Tunisia, (m) Pakistan, (n) Nigeria, (o) Sudan, (p) Ethiopia, (q) Saudi Arabia, (r) Oman, (s) Yemen, (t) Kuwait and (u) UAE. [63539]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 21 June 2002]: The following table gives details of British nationals detained overseas in the countries referred to. As legal 690W systems differ considerably around the world, we have interpreted the 'pre-conviction' cases as those that are generally still subject to the initial local legal procedure. This includes, for example, all detainees on remand, those currently undergoing trial and those whose trials have finished but where sentences have not yet been passed.
Country Number of British nationals in
detention
pre-conviction
Number of British nationals in
detention, serving
prison sentences
Egypt 5 1 Jordan 0 0 Lebanon 1 0 Syria 1 0 Turkey 1 1 Iraq 0 0 Iran 0 0 Israel 2 1 Algeria 0 0 Morocco 0 11 Libya 0 0 Tunisia 0 0 Pakistan 3 2 Nigeria 1 0 Sudan 0 0 Ethiopia 2 0 Saudi Arabia 7 3 Oman 2 1 Yemen 0 4 Kuwait 0 1 UAE 8 13
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals are (i) in detention awaiting trial and (ii) serving prison sentences in(a) India, (b) Burma, (c) Malaysia, (d) Singapore, (e) Indonesia, (f) China, (g) Vietnam, (h) Laos, (i) Thailand, (j) Cambodia, (k) the Philippines and (I) Papua New Guinea. [63541]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 21 June 2002 J: The following table gives details of those British nationals detained overseas in the above countries. As legal systems differ considerably around the world, we have interpreted the 'pre-conviction' cases as those that are generally still subject to the initial local legal procedure. This includes, for example, detainees on remand, those currently undergoing trial and those whose trials have finished but where sentences have not yet passed.
691W
Country Number of British nationals in
detention
pre-conviction
Number of British nationals in
detention, serving
prison sentences
India 12 10 Burma 0 0 Malaysia 0 2 Singapore 0 9 Indonesia 4 4 China 0 1 Vietnam 0 1 Laos 0 0 Thailand 9 117 Cambodia 0 1 Philippines 0 217 Papua New Guinea 0 0 1 five detained awaiting deportation 2 three detained awaiting deportation
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on giving assistance and representation to UK nationals detained abroad, before and after trial. [635441
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 21 June 2002]: Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, HMG's consuls will be informed of the detention of a British national by the detaining authorities, if that person requests it. On being informed, the Consul will contact the detainee as soon as possible and if necessary follow this with a visit. One of the Consul's main duties is to ensure that the detainee has legal representation; the Consul can provide the detainee with a list of English speaking local lawyers. The Consul will do whatever he can to ensure that the welfare of the detainee is adequately provided for, that his human rights are respected and that he is not discriminated against because he is a foreigner. He will also raise any specific medical needs with the detaining authorities.
Consuls visit convicted prisoners at least once a year, and more regularly if prison conditions are poor or if we have particular concerns about a prisoner. The Consul will continue to provide the same support as pre-trial. Furthermore, if we have concerns about a prisoner's health or are concerned that he did not receive a fair trial, we will consider making representations on his behalf or ultimately supporting a plea for clemency. We would look to our panels of pro bono doctors and lawyers to assist in such instances.