Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Friday, 8 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 October 1999. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Monday, 25 October 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action Her Majesty's Government is taking in respect of human rights violations in Belarus; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking in respect of human rights violations in Belarus; and if he will make a statement. [94615] Mr. Vaz: We raised our concerns about the human rights situation in Belarus most recently when First Deputy Foreign Minister Martynov met senior officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 8 October. The British Embassy in Minsk also has frequent contacts with human rights organisations and has supported projects designed to promote human rights in Belarus. The UK has also played a leading role in shaping EU policy towards Belarus, which stresses the need for improved human rights performance. The EU has called on the Belarusian authorities to investigate the recent disappearance of Viktor Gonchar, Deputy Chairman of the 13th Supreme Soviet, and all other cases in which politically active figures have disappeared. We also fully support the activities of the Advisory and Monitoring Group of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, whose mandate includes promoting compliance with other OSCE commitments, including in the human rights field.

Secondary information