Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UN Convention against Torture: Compliance

Tuesday 16 May 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have received a pre-reporting list of issues from the UN Committee against Torture, as is routine.
  • We are finalising our response to the pre-reporting list.
  • The UK has carried out the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan among any western country, bringing 2,450 people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neale Hanvey
Context

The question arises from representations received by the government regarding compliance with international human rights standards.

Question

Whether he has received recent representations on compliance with the United Nations convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Government have received a pre-reporting list of issues from the UN Committee against Torture, as is routine. We are finalising our response.

Answer from Damian Hinds

The Government have received a pre-reporting list of issues from the UN Committee against Torture, as is routine. We are finalising our response.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the content and nature of the representations were not provided.

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Q2 Neale Hanvey
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the UK Government's adherence to international human rights law, specifically Article 3 of the UN Convention against Torture.

Question

Article 3 of the 1984 UN convention against torture and other cruel, unhuman or degrading treatment or punishment sets out the grounds on which a state should judge all risks of mistreatment in considering extradition. Will the Minister clarify whether the UK Government give due consideration to those provisions? Specifically, what consideration is the UK giving to providing a right of safe passage for those fleeing Sudan and South Sudan with family members in the UK? Will the Minister set out what safe, open and legal routes are available to those people?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question, though I know that you would not want me to stray too far into matters that are for other Government Departments, Mr Speaker. The UK has carried out by far the longest and largest evacuation of any western country from Sudan, bringing 2,450 people to safety. Preventing a humanitarian emergency in Sudan is our top focus. Alongside the evacuation effort, we are working with international partners and the United Nations to bring an end to the fighting.

Not addressed: The specific considerations under Article 3 of the UN Convention against Torture regarding extradition decisions were not addressed.

How: Stray Too Far Into Matters That Are For Other Government Departments

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