International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

HL Deb 02 February 2004 vol 656 cc70-1WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the United Kingdom has not acceded to the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights so as to enable the United Nations Human Rights Committee to consider individual complaints of breaches of the covenant by the United Kingdom. [HL872]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Government are currently reviewing the United Kingdom's position in relation to a number of international human rights instruments. This review includes the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which allows the right of individual petition. The very wide scope of the review, and the number of government departments involved, have caused the review to take longer than expected. We will announce its outcomes to Parliament as soon as is reasonably possible.