ABSTRACT: Promoted by the Radicals: to set up an Agency for Human Rights, with ample scope to carry out surveys on the violations of human rights throughout the world. Radio broadcasts to countries with dictatorial regimes.

("Single issue" booklet for the XXXV Congress of The Radical Party - Budapest 22-26 april 1989)

On the Human Rights front, the Radicals have been promoting a parliamentary initiative ever since 1984 which should affect the Parliaments of democratic countries: the institution of an "Agency for Human Rights", with specific powers for investigation at the international level, for the support and stimulation of governmental action and for the supervision of radio broadcasts and their impact in countries ruled by dictatorial regimes.

At various times during discussions on the budget, Italian Radical MP's obtained a precise allocation for the funding of this agency; in 1985, the Craxi Government presented a bill formally proposing its institution. But the agency has never made any headway in the parliamentary commissions; it was boycotted in the Senate in the past, and completely cancelled from current legislation (the European Federalist Group, first signatory Francesco Rutelli, polemically re-proposed the former governmental text). The reasons are simple. The Italian Government like many Western European Governments, dedicates many memorable speeches to the subject of Human Rights, and a few discreet initiatives, but demonstrates proud political disinterest.

Human Rights are always the "poor relatives" of foreign policy, even though in this day and age, international pacts and agreements which have imposed respect for them, are widespread.

However, the role of parliamentarians and organisations with direct recourse to public opinion and with the competence to exert timely pressure on the governments responsible is essential, precisely because of the lack of efficient sanctions in the event of violations of Human Rights within the international community.