Your reference: DGO 241/2
Our reference:
241/33
Tel: 071 270 3992
18 November 1992
J P Kelly Esq Deputy Governor BERMUDA
DearKelly,
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
file
377
UNA
24137 London SW1A 2AH
WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS: DEPENDENT TERRITORY REPRESENTATION
1.
Thank you for your letter of 3 August to Mark Herdman enquiring about the representation of the Dependent Territories at next year's World Conference on Human Rights. I am replying, as this subject falls within the responsibilities of HRPU. I apologise for the time this has taken, but your letter was useful in prompting us to consider the question carefully.
2. It will be no surprise that space on the delegation is bound to be tight. We may be able to offer a small number of observer places if there is demand, but we will not be able to accommodate all of the Dependent Territories. Any that attend will of course have to do so at their own expense. We will be seeking the views of all the Dependent Territories in due course, and will then revert with further details.
3.
The Conference has a number of objectives, adopted by consensus. These boil down to an examination of progress in the implementation of existing standards, and the identification of possible ways to improve the situation.. We expect the debate to focus on the mechanics of implementation, such as the various treaty monitoring bodies and the technical assistance offered by the UN, rather than the concepts or principles of the rights themselves. I would therefore expect specific Dependent Territory interests to be limited; and we will, of course, be happy to represent those interests in the course of the debate. Judging by the preparatory phase, we cannot be optimistic about the outcome, which may very well be on the way to the dustbin of history within a week of the Conference ending.
wchr.bermuda
3
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