United Nations covenant on human rights
United Nations covenant on human rights
U.N. Covenant on Human Rights
H.M.
I don´t know anything about this - except that we are in a mess.
Started as anti-S. propaganda. As it goes on, it looks as tho´ it will put us on the spot - esp. re Colonies.
J. No use takg. narrow legal point of view. Ques: is it really important qua f. policy?
Work of cranks. Vague language - formulae by compromise.
Hence obscurity of language out of place in a code.
But, for f. policy reasons, we signed the C/Europe Convention.
We decided we cdn´t put in reservations. Thereafter, 3 Protocols.
Elections not bad: property (will put us in diffies over £300 m. c. & betterment): education very awkward here & in Colonies.
If we signed this one, we cdn´t keep Tsekedi out of Bamangwato Reserve. Nor deport stowaways - under fresh legislation.
Art. 3: effect on sentries.
We have never before thus limited sovereignty of our Parliament.
Tho´ I give way at once on all these points if F.O. say this is essential for f. policy.
But if we go on, let´s look v. narrowly at every Article.
H.D.
On C/Europe Convention, have we not excluded jurisdn of court.
J.
Yes: but we may be pressed to accept it later.
H.D.
In doing so, we made it clear we were satisfied with our law.
J.
On U.N. Covenant: we have proposed some judicial power to pronounce wtr. our legn is satisfactory. This therefore is much more dangerous than the C/Europe.
H.M.
I am sceptical of f. policy value. Totalitarian states will ignore it anyway. I wd. have preferred manifesto, vice covenant. I wd. wish to play it slow: get it so muddled tht. nothg. will happen.
H.D.
At least, take no fresh initiative.
J.G.
Col. appln clause is out now, by U.N. vote. We couldn´t apply this Covenant in Colonies.
Tho´ politically dangerous for us to w´draw.
If we stay in, we mght. guide discn usefully.
J.
Stay in & make difficulties.
V. difficult for us to walk out.
A.B.
Existg. specialised agencies shd. handle those aspects of matter with wh. they are equipped to deal - if only "examine and report."
Wd delay: and wd. inject an element of common sense.
G.W.
As it stands, w´out Col. appln clause, it is unacceptable to us.
We shd. realise that.
J.
The 3 Protocols under C/E. Convention shd. come to Cabinet.
Taken from C.M. 27(51) - Meeting held on 12 April 1951.
