Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Tony Lloyd (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 1 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya

Question: My hon. Friend was right to express his concern and that of the Government—indeed, everyone's concern—about the plight of the hundreds of children who contracted HIV/AIDS in Benghazi. However, he is also right to say that it is grotesque that the medics—five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor—face the death penalty. While in prison, they have been the victims of torture and sexual abuse, and the confessions extracted are worth almost nothing in any legal process. Libya's progress back into the world that we want it to be in is put in jeopardy if the death sentences are confirmed. Before the case comes back to the Libyan Supreme Court, will my hon. Friend ensure that every effort is taken over the next few days to make sure that Colonel Gaddafi and the Libyan authorities understand that the issue is not trivial and will be used to judge what progress Libya makes?

Answer: Yes, and my hon. Friend is right to highlight the changes that have occurred in Libya. It has renounced terrorism, abandoned its weapons of mass destruction programmes and become a safer neighbourhood for the United Kingdom and the EU in general. I am aware of his impressively detailed report into the children infected with HIV in Benghazi and the recommendation by the Assembly of the Council of Europe, which I understand will be published at an appropriate time. The UK supports any efforts that seek to bring about the release of the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff, and we will continue our active engagement with the Libyan authorities to secure just that outcome.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 438 c723-4
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Children Capital punishment Health professions HIV/AIDS Foreign relations Libya
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk