Written question asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 January 2006.

Extraordinary Rendition

Question: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 9 January (WA 11), whether Ministers or officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have held meetings with United Nations officials since 1 November at which extraordinary rendition was discussed; on which date or dates such meetings took place; and what representations were made by United Nations officials.

Answer: In answer to a Question tabled by the noble Lord, on 9 January (Official Report;, col. WA 11), I replied that, as far as we were aware, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials had not held meetings with United Nations officials since 1 November 2005 on extraordinary rendition. At that time, and until 21 January, I believed that Answer to be entirely correct.Regrettably, the Answer was incorrect. On 22 November 2005, an FCO official attended a meeting at the Home Office with Mr Scheinin, the UN Human Rights Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Government’s counter-terrorism legislation and policy of deportation with assurances. Inter alia, extraordinary rendition was one of a number of other issues that was also raised.At that meeting, Mr Scheinin raised concerns about extraordinary rendition and the US’ human rights obligations. Mr Scheinin also asked whether the UK/US extradition treaty allowed for the use of UK airspace and airports for transit other than during extradition.FCO and UN officials have not met since to discuss extraordinary rendition. I apologise for providing an incorrect Answer to the noble Lord’s Question.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3581; 677 c156-7WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP 06/224
Tuesday, 24 January 2006
Deposited papers
House of Commons
House of Lords; Extraordinary Rendition
Monday, 9 January 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Detainees Aviation Airports Terrorism United Nations Torture USA Foreign and Commonwealth Office Rendition Airspace
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk