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1664948

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Osman Kavala
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the award of the Václav Havel Prize to Osman Kavala at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 9 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>We recognise the significance of the award of the Václav Havel Prize to Osman Kavala and the subsequent PACE debate. The award and the overwhelming vote in favour of his release highlight that Osman Kavala remains in prison, despite the two European Court of Human Rights rulings calling for his immediate release. The UK has consistently joined this call. We will continue to work with Council of Europe Member States including Turkey, to find a solution to the situation.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 23/10/2023 16:01:02 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664949

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Montenegro: Elections
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 9 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202643
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK welcomes the Council of Europe (CoE) Parliamentary Assembly's 9 October debate on the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro. The UK understands the importance of election monitoring. We supported a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to provide early projections of election results, as part of a package of CSSF-funded projects to strengthen election integrity against destabilising influences. We now look forward to government formation and furthering our support for Montenegro to conduct free and fair democratic processes and to strengthen electoral practices in line with Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and CoE recommendations.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 19/10/2023 16:22:00 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664950

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Radicalism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled The challenge of far-right ideology to democracy and human rights in Europe, which was held at Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202644
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK welcomed the debate on far-right ideology and human rights within Europe. We put open societies and the protection of human rights around the world at the heart of what we do. Ideologies aiming to undermine human rights, democracy and rule of law are in direct opposition of our core values.</p><p>The UK takes the challenge of far-right ideology seriously. Our counter terrorism strategy CONTEST is threat agnostic, and applicable and effective in tackling Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism. We continue to work with our partners to defend democracy and freedom globally and hold those who violate human rights to account.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 19/10/2023 16:16:54 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664951

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	France: Council of Europe
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by France, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202645
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>We greatly value the work of the UK delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and welcome this debate, following the monitoring committee's report. The UK welcomes the French initiative to assess and reform the legal and judicial systems within France. The UK and France will continue to work closely together at the Council of Europe.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 19/10/2023 16:24:51 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664952

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Middle East: Violence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Escalation of violence in the Middle-East following the recent Hamas attack on Israel, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 11 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202646
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>We echo the sentiments of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in wishing strength to all those who have become victims of the enormous tragedy in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We express our steadfast and united support to Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. Hamas does not speak for or act in the interests of the Palestinian people. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself and its military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. The Prime Minister has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 12 October. He reiterated the need to ensure the protection of innocent civilians and underlined the importance of safe humanitarian access to Gaza.</p><p>The UK Government has authorised the sending of a significant support package to the region, UK military assets will support regional stability and prevent escalation. On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced a further £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the escalating conflict. We will continue to work with our regional partners so that essential aid can reach civilian populations in Gaza including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 19/10/2023 16:28:32 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664953

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Electronic Surveillance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the debate on the report entitled Pegasus and similar spyware and secret state surveillance, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 11 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202647
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK’s National Cyber Strategy commits the UK to countering the proliferation of high-end cyber capabilities and reducing the opportunity for states and organised crime groups to access them via commercial and criminal marketplaces, as well as tackling forums that enable, facilitate, or glamorise cyber criminality.</p><p>With respect to spyware specifically, it is vital that all cyber capabilities are used in ways that are legal, responsible, and proportionate to ensure cyberspace remains a safe and prosperous place for everyone. In March 2023, the United Kingdom signed the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware alongside 10 other like-minded countries, including the United States. As part of this, the UK and other signatories recognised the threat posed by the misuse of commercial spyware, such as Pegasus, and the need to strictly control its proliferation at both a domestic and international level.</p><p>The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 provides a legal framework for the use of investigatory powers by UK law enforcement and the intelligence community where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. The Act also contains strong safeguards, including a ‘double lock’, which requires warrants for the most intrusive powers to be authorised by a Secretary of State (or Chief Constable in case of Law Enforcement) and approved by a Judicial Commissioner, as well as rigorous independent oversight of their use by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 24/10/2023 11:40:29 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664954

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Disability: Women
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he had for her policies of the debate on the report entitled Preventing and combating violence against women with disabilities, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 11 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202648
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK values the work of the Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe as well as our UK delegation in debating these important issues. The UK reaffirms its commitment to preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in all their diversity and we welcome calls for the intensification of efforts to address this violence.</p><p>The debate included reaffirming the commitments made to women and girls with disabilities outlined in the Istanbul Convention. As a ratifier of both the Istanbul Convention and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UK is clear on our international commitments to upholding the rights of women and girls in all their diversity and preventing violence against them and prioritises this through policies and action at home and overseas.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 24/10/2023 16:08:21 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664955

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Council of Europe: Conflict Prevention
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled The role of the Council of Europe in preventing conflicts, restoring credibility of international institutions and promoting global peace, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 12 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202649
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK recognises the vital role the Council of Europe has played in preventing conflict within Europe and wider member states since it was founded in 1949 following World War II. The Council's recent work in establishing a Register of Damages caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine is a good example of how a regional organisation can react swiftly in response to situations of conflict. The work of the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee of Ministers plays an important role in securing rights and freedoms across Europe, including against the threats to democracy at our doorstep.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 24/10/2023 16:24:29 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664956

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Ukraine: Peace Negotiations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled Ensuring a just peace in Ukraine and lasting security in Europe, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 12 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202650
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK supports the Council of Europe's role in highlighting the devastating consequences of Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, and welcomes the work of its Parliamentary Assembly in this regard. We support Ukraine's efforts to promote the principles needed to underpin a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter, including President Zelenskyy's 'ten-point peace formula'. There is broad international consensus that for peace to be lasting it must be based on respect for the UN Charter, international law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 23/10/2023 15:26:34 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664957

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Nagorno Karabakh: Humanitarian Situation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 12 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Henley
	tabling member printed	John Howell
	uin	202651
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK noted the debate held at the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe on the Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and looks forward to the outcomes of the recent visit of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to the region. We welcome the continued high levels of international engagement on these issues, the successful peaceful resolution of which are vital to the ongoing stability of the South Caucasus.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 24/10/2023 16:27:03 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
	tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell