asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that the British Government formally notified the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on 13th April, 1956, under the provisions of Article 15 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, that they had deported persons from Cyprus to the Seychelles Islands and were detaining persons in the Seychelles, which actions involved derogating in certain respects from the obligations imposed by Article 5 of the Convention; and, if so, when he was first informed of this fact by the secretary general.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cyprus Deportations and Detentions.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that the British Government formally notified the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on 7th October, 1955, under the provisions of Article 15 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, that they were exercising powers to detain persons in Cyprus, which involved derogating in certain respects from the obligations imposed by Article 5 of the Convention, and, if so, when he was first informed of this fact by the secretary general.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together. I did not become aware of the notifications of the British Government in respect of Cyprus dated the 7th October, 1955, and the 13th April, 1956, to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe under the provisions of Article 15 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights until the receipt by the Irish Permanent Representative at Strasbourg of a communication from the secretary general dated the 19th April, 1956.
May I ask the Minister if he will take steps to ensure that in future the Secretary General of the Council of Europe will not withhold, or unduly delay, official communications from the Committee of Ministers or the Assembly of the Council of Europe received by him in his capacity as secretary general?
In view of the subsequent development, I think that the action suggested by the Deputy is not necessary. Since the matter was raised at the Council of Europe, the secretary general has informed the permanent representatives of Member States at Strasbourg that the United Kingdom Government in May, 1954, suspended the Convention of Human Rights in respect of the Federation of Malaya and the Colonies of Singapore, Kenya and British Guiana. He also informed the permanent representatives that these places, in addition to Cyprus, were the only places in respect of which the Government of Britain, or any other member Government, had operated a similar suspension under Article 15 of the Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply, would the Minister have it pointed out to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe that it is not within his province to delay for several months communications which he receives on behalf of the Council of Europe?