Iraq (Hansard, 23 June 2003)

§ Phil Sawford
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his policy to support the establishment by the UN of a commission of experts to monitor human rights in Iraq. [119715]

§ Mr. Rammell
We support the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy Human Rights Officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request.

§ Phil Sawford
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to protect human rights in Iraq. [119716]

§ Mr. Rammell
In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1483, the UK is working closely with coalition partners and UN Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, on promoting the protection of human rights in Iraq. The Coalition Provisional Authority is undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector.
We support the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy human rights officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) as his Special Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights and she will report back to him with recommendations.

§ Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to secure human rights for the citizens of post-conflict Iraq. [120141]

§ Mr. Rammell
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Phil Sawford) today (UIN 119716).

§ Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of(a) human rights in Iraq, (b) the opportunities for those responsible for the interim administration in Iraq to protect human rights and (c) the challenges to maintain human rights in that country. [120142]
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§ Mr. Rammell
The Coalition Provisional Authority is undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector. The assessment will provide a basis for evaluating issues relating to the protection of human rights in Iraq.
We are also supporting the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy human rights officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) as his Special Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights and she will report back to him with recommendations.