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820785

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Egypt: Religious Freedom
	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 steps the Government has taken to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief in Egypt.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
	tabling member printed	Layla Moran
	uin	122203
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2018 answer text We regularly raise our concerns about the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly with the Egyptian authorities; these rights are essential to improving the protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Egypt. The Egyptian constitution contains protections for Freedom of Religious Belief and it is important that these rights are respected. In particular, we welcome President Sisi's consistent calls for peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Egypt. The UK has also been working with al-Azhar University in Egypt for over ten years to help develop a new generation of religious leaders who can build dialogue across different cultures and religions, and confront extremism. The work includes English teaching, debating skills training and a postgraduate scholarship scheme. answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 16/01/2018 15:37:32 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

820823

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Idil Eser
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Turkish Government on the arrest of Amnesty International's Director for Turkey, Idil Eser; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
	tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
	uin	122241
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>​We have made frequent representations to the Turkish government about the case of Idil Eser and other human rights defenders at the highest possible level. The Prime Minister did so most recently when she met her Turkish counterpart on 27 November 2017. The Foreign Secretary and I have also raised the issue. We continue to urge Turkey to ensure that all citizens receive appropriate and fair treatment under Turkish law and that their human rights are fully respected.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/01/2018 14:20:30 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

820720

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	West Bank: Demolition
	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 an assessment of the effect of planned demolitions in the West Bank village of Susiya on the viability of a future Palestinian state incorporating Area C of the occupied West Bank.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	122138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>​We are gravely concerned by the proposals to demolish around 30% of the structures in the West Bank village of Susiya. Senior officials most recently raised the planned demolitions in Susiya with the Israeli Ambassador to London on 8 January. I visited Susiya and discussed the threat of forcible transfer with the Susiya Bedouin community on 21 August 2017 during my visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We encourage Israel to cease its counter-productive policy of demolitions, and provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; call into question Israel’s commitment to a viable two-state solution; and, in all but the most exceptional cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/01/2018 14:48:54 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

820826

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Cambodia: Politics and Government
	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 is taking to promote the upholding of political rights in the state of Cambodia.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Martin Whitfield
	uin	122244
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>​We are deeply concerned about the series of steps taken by the Cambodian authorities and its Supreme Court, which threaten to undermine free and fair elections in Cambodia in 2018.</p><p>I met Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn at the Asia-Europe Meeting in November and Cambodian Ambassador to the UK Dr Soeung earlier this month. I expressed my concern at the dissolution of the CNRP, arrest of opposition leader Kem Sokha and treatment of journalists.</p><p>We have worked with EU partners to remove further support for Cambodian electoral reform and process, and are considering with EU partners what further steps we shall take in response to this disturbing development.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 19/01/2018 14:34:09 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4626 label Biography information for Martin Whitfield

820797

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Carers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps his Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Frank Field
	uin	122215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Carers Charter sets out the FCO's policies that can help staff who have a caring responsibility balance their work and caring commitments. The FCO supports the Charity for Civil Servants' Carer's Passport initiative.</p><p>The FCO is supported in this area by the Diplomatic Staff Families Association Carers Network, which is a place where staff can share their experiences of reconciling work and care commitments; acts as a gateway to resources for carers; and disseminates information about caring.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/01/2018 14:19:08 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

820907

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Uzbekistan: Religious Freedom
	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 assessment he has made of the level of religious freedom in Uzbekistan; and what steps the Government is taking to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief in that country.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Christian Matheson
	uin	122325
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>​In October 2017 Dr Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, spent two weeks in Uzbekistan. He was received by the government, travelled to the regions, met religious groups, civil society and visited Jaslyk prison. We agree with his initial report which recognised Uzbekistan's relatively tolerant approach to the major religions and acknowledged the measures taken over the past year. These were mainly towards the Muslim communities; the review of prisoners which has led to several releases; the removal of 16000 names from a government watch list for suspected religious extremism, along with the reintegration of those individuals and rehabilitation of prisoners. His report also set out recommendations for reducing the legal constraints around religious practice.</p><p>We regularly raise individual human rights cases with the Uzbek authorities and play an active and visible part in human rights activities in Uzbekistan. We have stressed the importance of constructive, private dialogue on human rights issues, including the freedom of religious expression. On 27 October our Ambassador highlighted the importance of freedom of religion or belief and Dr Shaheed's recommendations in a video on Facebook. We expectDr Shaheed's report to the UN Human Rights Council in March.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/01/2018 14:17:41 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4408 label Biography information for Christian Matheson

820778

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Eritrea: Religious Freedom
	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 assessment he has made of religious freedom in Eritrea.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	122196
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2018 answer text <p>Within Eritrea, only four traditional religious organisations (Orthodox Christian, Sunni Muslim, Catholic, and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea) have official approval to operate. Whilst this allows for the majority of Eritreans to worship freely, we are aware of reports that individuals from non-sanctioned religions are subject to detention, although reliable information is very difficult to obtain. Details of such detentions are not publicly released by the Eritrean government. We are also aware that a number of religious schools have been closed in recent months. Our Ambassador and EU counterparts have called for the release of all prisoners detained for religious beliefs or, as a minimum, that they are brought before a court for public hearing and fair trial, allowing them to defend themselves against any charge.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 16/01/2018 16:05:38 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

820727

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Tanzania: Offences against Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on pardons being given to child rapists in Tanzania; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	122145
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of the presidential pardons in Tanzania. We have increased our efforts to tackle the exploitation of children directly, as part of the Prime Minister's Modern Slavery agenda, and seek to prevent violence and abuse against children in Tanzania.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 19/01/2018 14:38:34 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

820728

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Tanzania: Offences against Children
	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 an assessment of the veracity of reports that the Commissioner of the Mwanza region of Tanzania, John Mongella, has called for pregnant school girls to be arrested and forced to testify against the persons who impregnated them in court.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	122146
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of comments made by the Regional Commissioner. The former Minister for Africa, Rory Stewart OBE, raised his concerns about access to education and training for pregnant teenage women with the Government of Tanzania when he visited Dar es Salaam in August last year. Along with international partners, we regularly raise our concerns with the Tanzanian Government, for example as recently as 8 January when the Head of DFID met with the Minister of Education specifically on this issue.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 19/01/2018 14:40:11 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

820885

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2018
	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	Embassies: EU Countries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK embassises and consulates were open in those EU Member States which were full member states in 2010 in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
	tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
	uin	122303
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2018 answer text <p>The UK has Embassies in all EU Member States and currently has 19 Consulates, Consulates-General and Vice-Consulates across EU Member States – 1 in Croatia, 2 in France, 2 in Germany, 4 in Greece, 1 in Italy, 1 in the Netherlands, 1 in Portugal and 7 in Spain. This figure does not include our Honorary Consulates in Europe.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 16/01/2018 17:02:32 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens