Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 16 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 June 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 23 June 2003 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 assessment his Department has made of (a) human rights in Iraq, (b) the opportunities for those responsible for the interim administration in Iraq to protect human rights and (c) the challenges to maintain human rights in that country.

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) human rights in Iraq, (b) the opportunities for those responsible for the interim administration in Iraq to protect human rights and (c) the challenges to maintain human rights in that country. [120142] Mr. Rammell: The Coalition Provisional Authority is undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector. The assessment will provide a basis for evaluating issues relating to the protection of human rights in Iraq. We are also supporting the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy human rights officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) as his Special Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights and she will report back to him with recommendations.

Secondary information