UN Security Council: Kazakhstan

Lord Lawson of Blaby Excerpts

Tuesday 12th April 2016 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Soley, makes a point that is worth repeating. Last May, President Nazarbayev launched far-reaching reforms for the legal system, the civil service, the economy and public accountability, known as the 100 concrete steps. I emphasise that the Prime Minister visited Kazakhstan in 2013 and President Nazarbayev visited the United Kingdom towards the end of last year. Human rights and trade were important points of discussion.

[Lord Lawson of Blaby (Con)]

My Lords, while I in no way advocate Kazakhstan being a member of the Security Council of the United Nations, does my noble friend agree that if widespread corruption, and the other abuses that have been mentioned, disqualified a candidate for membership of the council, it would be significantly smaller than it is today?

[The Earl of Courtown]

I could not possibly comment on my noble friend Lord Lawson’s question, but he makes an interesting point.