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1228093

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the decision to convert the Hagia Sofia into a mosque, and (2) the impact of that decision on marginalised religious minorities in Turkey and the Middle East; and what steps they are planning to take to ensure that the rights of religious minorities in the region are safeguarded.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL7421
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern that President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to its global cultural and religious significance and Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities, which would be consistent with the Turkish constitution's provisions for freedom of conscience and religion for all. We strongly support all minority groups in Turkey and encourage the Turkish authorities to safeguard their welfare and respect their human rights.</p><p>The Government is firmly committed to protecting religious minorities in the Middle East region and providing assistance on the basis of need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. We believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate for respect among different religious and racial groups, is to encourage states to uphold their human rights obligations. The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 05/08/2020 14:41:50 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1224371

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representation he has made to (a) his Turkish counterpart and (b) UNESCO on the importance of the Hagia Sophia to human civilisation and the need to ensure that the public retains access to the site because of its outstanding value to humankind.
	tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
	tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
	uin	74003
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. It is for States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to ensure that their designated World Heritage List sites comply with the terms of the Convention. We work closely with UNESCO, its advisory bodies and partner governments to promote the highest standards of heritage protection. This helps to ensure designated sites are protected effectively for the whole of humanity, and for future generations.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 74004 question first answered 21/07/2020 08:06:45 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1224372

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to (a) his Turkish counterpart and (b) UNESCO to emphasise the shared history of the Hagia Sophia and to urge the maintenance of that site as a museum reflecting shared heritage.
	tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
	tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
	uin	74004
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. It is for States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to ensure that their designated World Heritage List sites comply with the terms of the Convention. We work closely with UNESCO, its advisory bodies and partner governments to promote the highest standards of heritage protection. This helps to ensure designated sites are protected effectively for the whole of humanity, and for future generations.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 74003 question first answered 21/07/2020 08:06:45 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1224707

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about the decision to convert the Hagia Sofia into a mosque.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL6832
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern that President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with Turkey. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to its global cultural and religious significance and Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities, which would be consistent with the Turkish constitution's provisions for freedom of conscience and religion for all.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 28/07/2020 15:25:57 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1223796

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Turkish counterpart to express the Government's opposition to turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
	tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
	tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
	uin	72837
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>We have noted President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque. While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 22/07/2020 16:15:31 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1224065

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the President of Turkey’s proposal to designate the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.
	tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
	tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
	uin	73153
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>We have noted President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque. While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 73154 73155 73156 73157 question first answered 22/07/2020 16:18:32 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1224069

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the (a) EU, (b) UNESCO, (c) Turkey and (d) Greece on the Turkish Government's decision to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
	tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
	tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
	uin	73154
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>We have noted President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque. While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 73153 73155 73156 73157 question first answered 22/07/2020 16:18:32 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1224070

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take in response to the conversion of the Hagia Sophia to a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
	tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
	tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
	uin	73155
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>We have noted President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque. While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 73153 73154 73156 73157 question first answered 22/07/2020 16:18:32 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
	tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

746092

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey, following the decision by the Turkish Minister of Religious Affairs to take part in prayers at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on 21 June 2017, that Hagia Sophia will continue to be used as a cultural museum for all of Turkey's citizens rather than a place of Islamic worship.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL234
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​We have not raised the recent Islamic prayers at Hagia Sophia with the government of Turkey. We recognise Hagia Sophia as a site of extraordinary historic and religious significance. It is therefore important that it is preserved in a way that respects its complex history and significance to many faiths. We regularly raise wider issues relating to fundamental freedoms of religion and expression with the Turkish government.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:29:51 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark