Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by former UN special rapporteur on torture Alice Jill Edwards regarding alleged anti-Israel bias and inconsistent standards among UN human rights experts; and whether they intend to make representations to the UN concerning the impartiality and professional conduct of UN special rapporteurs and the promotion of independent mechanisms for investigation of alleged bias or misconduct on their part.

The UK strongly supports the important role of the Special Procedures system as an independent mechanism for monitoring and reporting on human rights situations worldwide. Special Procedures mandate holders are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and serve in their personal capacity as independent experts. The UK has long had concerns at the UN Human Rights Council's focus on Israel under Item Seven- the only agenda item focused on one country.

All Special Procedures mandate holders should adhere to the code of conduct for their roles. Along with several other countries, we have raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ministers have raised these concerns directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UK continues to press that the comments of the Special Rapporteur be investigated against the Code of Conduct for her post, and for action to be taken to restore the confidence of the international community in the independence and objectivity of this important role.