Release: Immediate
Brussels, 12 March 2004

This week in the European Parliament, Tory MEPs, including East Midlands representatives Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton Harris shocked colleagues by voting repeatedly against protecting human rights.

The Tory MEPs voted against a resolution calling for a strengthening of the EU's data protection rules, against a resolution calling for a prisons charter to safeguard the rights of prisoners within the European Union, and against a call for the US authorities to put an immediate end to the legal limbo in Guantanamo Bay. Despite it being International Women's week, East Midlands Euro-MP Roger Helmer also voted against two calls for greater respect for women's rights.

Speaking after the votes, Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for the East Midlands, Bill Newton Dunn said: "I was sorely disappointed that Mr. Helmer and Mr. Heaton Harris failed to support these issues. The European Union plays a key role in promoting and protecting Human Rights and is in a unique position to do so. It is deeply concerning that the Tories do not seem to attach importance to these issues."

ENDS

Contact: Bill Newton Dunn: 07939 250473 or Tiffany Venning: +32 485 954 113

Press Release from Bill NEWTON DUNN MEP

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY PARTY

Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament
UK Delegation of the ELDR Group
Rue Wiertz, B-1047 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 284 2203