Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 July 1999. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Monday, 19 July 1999 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals Her Majesty's Government has evaluated on the (a) creation of new institutions and (b) enhancement of existing ones in respect of the application of international legal procedures to the determination of the justification for possible interventions for humanitarian reasons, with particular reference to the relationship between such authority and considerations of national sovereignty.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister what proposals Her Majesty's Government have evaluated on the (a) creation of new institutions and (b) enhancement of existing ones in respect of the application of international legal procedures to the determination of the justification for possible interventions for humanitarian reasons, with particular reference to the relationship between such authority and considerations of national sovereignty. [91729] The Prime Minister: I consider it hugely important that we should have a world ruled by law and by international co-operation, with the United Nations as its central pillar. We are a leading supporter of the International Court of justice, which has the central role in determining the conformity of action with international law. We are committed to working with our partners to find new ways to make the United Nations system work more effectively.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 91729; 335 c372W;335 c374W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Human rights International cooperation International law International courts Sovereignty