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DS Walwyn Esq
United Nations Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London
SW1A 2AH
RECC
RY
15 FEB 1991
RY
Salon Taken
human rights, general
12 February 1991
Der Mr. Walvagn,
CHR ITEM 104: WORKING GROUP RAPPORTEUR ON DETENTION,
Thank you for copying me your minutes of 8 and 12 February concerning the French proposal for a Working Group/Rapporteur on Administrative Detention. As the Department which has probably the largest interest in this issue it would have been helpful if we had been consulted earlier, especially as it is necessary to consult colleagues in Belfast who are responsible for the policy in this field.
We accept the argument that it would be tactically difficult to oppose this proposal, and endorse the line suggested in your letter of today to Peter Honour. That said, it is not something we welcome. As you are probably aware the Emergency Provisions Bill currently proceeding through Parliament retains powers for administrative detention on the statue book, albeit inactive. Lord Colville in his review of the Emergency Provisions Act argued against the retention of this provision, stating:
"I know from personal experience how difficult it can be at the United Nations to be convincing in justification of some anti-terrorist measures, especially when there is an initiative to attack other Governments. It never is very becoming to decry in others what one is doing oneself...
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AW/SIL/16875