UK diplomatic missions monitor a wide range of human rights issues around the world. Monitoring normally includes contacts with interested parties, including relevant parts of the Government of the country concerned, international organisations, relevant international and domestic civil society organisations, political contacts, faith groups and the media. Depending on the issues in a particular country, it might also include observation by embassy officials of trials, elections, prison conditions, policing methods, treatment of women or minority groups, or work with local human rights defenders. Posts also use reports of international organisations and non-governmental organisations.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual human rights report provides an overview of the main challenges to human rights around the world and the UK’s activities and policies in response. The latest report was published on 12 October 2006. It can be found on the FCO website at: http://www.fco. gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1159199103169.
Copies of the report are also available in the Library of the House.