TNAG-1393-FCO40-1865-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 39

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HUMAN RIGHTS

FCO Contact: R C B Jones, United Nations Department, 01 233-8647

UK AIMS

To make clear that the UK regards the abuse of human rights. as a legitimate matter of international concern and deplores such abuses wherever they occur.

SITUATIONS REQUIRING UK RESPONSE

Human rights is unlikely to be an area where the UK will be subject to substantive criticism but the following may be used defensively if needed.

a)

Countries with a poor

Interference in Internal Affairs. human rights record may complain that the UK's concern for human rights is unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of other Sovereign States.

The delegation should make clear that, while UK foreign policy is based firmly on respect for the principles of and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other Sovereign states, fundamental human rights - such as those enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are based on agreed values which transcend national, religious, cultural and ideological frontiers and are internationally accepted. Further, a number of humgn rights instruments including the two International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, are legally binding on those States which have ratified them and, in certain circumstances, give us legal standing to raise infringements with other States Parties.

b)

Selectivity. Human rights violations vary enormously in scale and severity from country to country. We judge such violations by the same standards worldwide. The means by which we attempt to improve the situation in different countries will however have to be considered on a case by case basis.

c)

Individual Petition. The UK is not a party to the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which permits the right of individual petition to the Human Rights Committee (the body established under the Covenant to consider States Parties' reports on measures adopted to give effect to the rights enshrined in the Covenant). This is largely because a means of redress for individuals is already available under the European Convention on Human Rights; the UK accepts Article 25 of this Convention which gives persons and groups right of recourse to the European Commission on Human Rights.

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