Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 February 2011.

Bolivia: Drugs

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the statement on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website that ““We are committed to protecting the human rights of indigenous people”” takes account of their support last month for the retention of paragraphs 1(c) and 2(e) of article 49 of the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, following the request from Bolivia that the paragraphs be deleted.

Answer: We gave careful consideration to the arguments advanced by Bolivia but remain of the view that paragraphs 1(c) and 2(e) of article 49 of the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs should be retained. This view is overwhelmingly shared in the international community. Coca chewing is a commonly accepted practice within Bolivia and will remain so without the proposed amendment to the convention. Our objection to the amendment of the 1961 single convention will in no way alter current practice within Bolivia and as such does not interfere with Bolivian cultural rights.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6528; 725 c163WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Human rights Ethnic groups Bolivia Coca Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk