Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

674806

registered interest
date	18/01/2017
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	Nigeria: Abduction
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 his Department is taking to assist the Nigerian government recover children kidnapped by Boko Haram.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	60610
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2017 answer text <p>The UK is resolute in its support for Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram and the search for all those who have been abducted.</p><p>We are providing a substantial package of intelligence, military and development support to Nigeria, including training and advice for Nigerian armed forces and £5 million to support the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional force against Boko Haram.</p><p>To date over 22,500 Nigerian military personnel have received UK training; of those, at least 6,500 have been deployed on counter-insurgency operations in north east Nigeria.</p><p>With France and the US, we also support a Nigerian intelligence analysis and planning cell focused on the North East and based in Abuja.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 26/01/2017 14:54:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

654842

registered interest
date	08/12/2016
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	Iran: Civil Liberties
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 freedom of (a) religion and belief and (b) association in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	56850
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2016 answer text <p>The human rights situation in Iran remains of serious concern. Members of religious minorities continue to face severe restrictions. The same is true for freedom of association. The latest report of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran highlights the insufficient protections on the independence of political, professional and labour groups and in particular notes serious concern regarding the targeting, arrest and prosecution of labour union activists.</p><p>The UK calls on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow rights and freedoms to which all its citizens are entitled.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/12/2016 14:27:05 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

649471

registered interest
date	01/12/2016
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	Islam: 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 support the Government is providing to (a) Iraq, (b) Afghanistan and (c) Nigeria to ensure the protection of minority Shi'a Muslims in those countries.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	55794
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2016 answer text <p><strong>Iraq<br></strong>The only way of safeguarding minority communities in Iraq is by defeating Daesh and establishing a lasting peace. The UK Government is committed to this. We have a comprehensive strategy for defeating Daesh and continue to support the Government of Iraq in its efforts to build a more inclusive society. Since June 2014, the UK has committed £169.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq. This includes access to clean water, food, medicines and other life-saving assistance for the most vulnerable. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity to ensure that civilians are not discriminated against. We prioritise reaching the most vulnerable people across Iraq, including Shia Muslims and others who have suffered from such violence.</p><p><strong>Nigeria<br></strong>It is important that all Nigerians enjoy the right to freedom of religious belief and assembly, and that the security forces act within the law. UK military training and assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria has consistently emphasised the importance of adherence to internationally recognised Rules of Engagement, as well as the importance of International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. We continue to work with the Nigerian Government, NGOs and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all the people of Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Afghanistan<br></strong>The UK is working closely with the Afghan Government as it seeks to overcome the legacy of conflict and become a more prosperous and stable state for all Afghans without discrimination. We currently have 450 military personnel in Afghanistan serving in a non-combat role, advising and assisting the Afghanistan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) as part of the NATO Resolute Mission. In addition to military support, we recently pledged £750m in development aid at the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan for the period 2017-2020, this is expected to deliver improved health systems, boost education opportunities and assist with steps to tackle corruption.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 09/12/2016 12:37:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

642275

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Sudan: International Assistance
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 discussions his Department has had with the UN on trends in the number of attacks on aid workers in Sudan.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2016 answer text <p>We work closely with the United Nations Agencies to support safe access for humanitarian workers to vulnerable communities in Sudan and to monitor levels of violence against them. This involves regular discussions with the heads of these agencies in Sudan as well as discussions with specialist staff involved in the provision of their security. We regularly lobby the Government of Sudan to fulfil its obligations to provide a safe operating environment for humanitarian actors.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 29/11/2016 17:48:30 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

642282

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Middle East: Refugees
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government is providing to Yazidi and Christian minority refugee groups from Syria and Iraq who have experienced sexual abuse from Daesh.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54141
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2016 answer text <p>The UK has pledged over £2.3 billion in response to the Syria crisis and since June 2014, has committed £169.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq.</p><p>Through the United Nations' Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, UK aid is providing life-saving maternal and child health-care, child protection services, and specialised support for escapees of Daesh terror. We are also supporting the implementation of Iraq's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security focusing on capacity building and support for victims of gender-based violence.</p><p>We have provided £7 million for projects in Syria, including capacity building for gathering evidence of Sexual Violence and other Human Rights violations and advocacy work. In 2015-16 the UK assisted 135,627 people (adults and children) in Syria with psychosocial support.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/11/2016 14:00:46 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

642284

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Developing Countries: Females
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government plans to provide minority women and girls overseas who are victims of sexual abuse.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2016 answer text <p>Since June 2014 we have provided over £1.3million for projects to support gender equality and combat sexual violence, in a number of conflict-affected countries. This includes funding in the current year to promote the use of the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict and to combat the stigma associated with sexual violence.</p><p>Ending violence against all women and girls is a top priority for the UK. In 2015, this Government made a clear and bold manifesto commitment to tackle violence against women and girls, end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and combat child and early forced marriage, both at home and abroad.</p><p>We have increased our resources to tackle violence against women and girls by more than 60% in recent years. This includes Department for International Development's £35 million programme to tackle FGM and their £36 million programme to end Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is supporting women's rights projects through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy across at least 28 countries with a total spend of £3,626,037 between 2016 and 2018.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/11/2016 14:05:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

642286

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Developing Countries: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to provide trauma support for (a) Yazidis and Christians and (b) other minority communities.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54145
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2016 answer text <p>The UK has pledged over £2.3 billion in response to the Syria crisis and since June 2014, has committed £169.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Iraq.</p><p>The UK is using its aid budget to alleviate the immediate humanitarian suffering of the most vulnerable people in the region, including Yezidis, Christians and other minority groups. All UK-funded aid is distributed on the basis of need, regardless of race, religion and ethnicity.</p><p>UK support is enabling international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies to provide specialist assistance to those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. This includes clinical care, case management and counselling, reproductive healthcare and cash assistance to particularly vulnerable households.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/11/2016 14:08:01 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

641229

registered interest
date	21/11/2016
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	Syria: Military Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government provides to Syria civil defence in (a) Syria and (b) Aleppo.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54090
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2016 answer text <p>The United Kingdom has provided support to Syria Civil Defence (also known as the White Helmets) through the cross-departmental Conflict Pool and its successor, the Conflict Stability and Security Fund. Our assistance has been delivered through trusted third party implementers. The total value of funds committed between June 2013 and the end of the current financial year (31 March 2017) is £32 million. All funds are accounted for in line with Government guidelines, including the receipt and review of quarterly financial reports.</p><p>Civil Defenders are operating in eastern Aleppo, but as a besieged area, continued support is not currently possible.</p><p>Our support to Syria Civil Defence is part of a coordinated international programme of assistance. It has helped to provide the Syrian-led organisation of over 2800 volunteers with much-needed training and equipment. To date, they have saved more than 70,000 lives and were nominated for the Nobel peace prize in both 2015 and 2016 in recognition of their efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/11/2016 09:44:25 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

641256

registered interest
date	21/11/2016
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	Iran: Christianity
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 raise the case of the seizure of the retreat centre in Mohammadshahr in Karaj belonging to the Council of Assemblies of God Churches with his Iranian counterparts.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54091
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2016 answer text <p>​The UK regularly raises human rights cases with the Iranian government including the continued persecution of religious minorities. We are aware of restrictions on translating Christian texts in Iran. We condemn these restrictions alongside reports of Christian property being seized and reports of theological schools being closed. We call on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow freedom of religion to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/11/2016 15:36:49 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

641257

registered interest
date	21/11/2016
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	Iran: Christianity
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 received representations on the banning of the publication of bibles and Christian literature in Farsi.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	54092
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2016 answer text <p>​The UK regularly raises human rights cases with the Iranian government including the continued persecution of religious minorities. We are aware of restrictions on translating Christian texts in Iran. We condemn these restrictions alongside reports of Christian property being seized and reports of theological schools being closed. We call on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow freedom of religion to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/11/2016 15:34:07 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon