Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Monday, 22 February 2010.

Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland Office was asked to sanction the visit to East Timor by the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in November and December 2009; and whether the cost of the visit was met by the Commission.

Answer: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was not asked to sanction the visit and there was no requirement for the NIO's approval to be sought. The NIO was informed that an invitation had been received and accepted. The chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission visited East Timor from 26 November to 6 December 2009, at the invitation of Nuala O'Loan, the Irish Government's Special Envoy to East Timor. The focus of the visit was on gender-based violence in conflict situations, using UN Security Council Resolutions (1325 and 1820) to take forward this work. Costs were covered by the Irish Government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1330; 717 c239WA
Session: 2009-10
Subjects: Costs Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Visits abroad Northern Ireland Office Timor-Leste
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk