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1002539

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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	China: Organs
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 request from his EU and US counterparts the evidence that led to their respective parliaments passing resolutions to condemn forced organ harvesting in China.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	188826
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that allege that a process of involuntary organ removal may be taking place in China, including suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically targeted. The British government fully supports the Declaration of Istanbul (May 2008), which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities.</p><p>Reports by authors such as Kilgour, Gutmann and Matas are important sources of information about China’s organ transplant system. They rightly question the lack of transparency in China’s organ transplant system, whilst acknowledging that it is very difficult to identify the source of those organs and verify the number of organ transplants conducted in China. However we do not agree with the claims of systematic organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, assessing that the evidence they present does not substantiate such a claim.</p><p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) collates global data on organ donations and works with China. The WHO view is that China is implementing an ethical, voluntary organ transplant system in accordance with international standards, although the WHO does have concerns about overall transparency.</p><p>We continue to review available evidence on this issue.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 14/11/2018 13:04:46 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

997810

registered interest
date	30/10/2018
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	China: Organs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the merits of the evidence collected by former Canadian Minister David Kilgour on forced organ harvesting in China.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	185605
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that allege that a process of involuntary organ removal may be taking place in China, including suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically targeted. The UK government fully supports the Declaration of Istanbul (May 2008), which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities.</p><p>We consider the Kilgour, Gutmann and Matas report to be important sources of information about China’s organ transplant system. These reports rightly question the lack of transparency in China’s organ transplant system, whilst acknowledging that it is very difficult to identify the source of those organs and verify the number of organ transplants conducted in China. We do not agree with the claims of systematic organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, assessing that the evidence they present does not substantiate such a claim.</p><p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) collates global data on organ donations and works with China. The WHO view is that China is implementing an ethical, voluntary organ transplant system in accordance with international standards, although the WHO does have concerns about overall transparency.</p><p>We continue to review any new evidence that is presented to us.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/11/2018 11:33:41 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

997813

registered interest
date	30/10/2018
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	China: Organs
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 merits of the conclusions of the people's independent tribunal on forced organ harvesting in China.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	185606
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that allege that a process of involuntary organ removal may be taking place in China, including suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically targeted. The UK government fully supports the Declaration of Istanbul (May 2008), which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities.</p><p>As the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, stated in a Westminster Hall debate in October 2016: “Although I do not doubt the need to maintain close scrutiny of organ transplant practices in China, we believe that the evidence base is not sufficiently strong to substantiate claims about the systematic harvesting of organs from minority groups. Indeed, based on all the evidence available to us, we cannot conclude that this practice of “organ harvesting” is definitely happening in China.”</p><p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) collates global data on organ donations and works with China. The WHO view is that China is implementing an ethical, voluntary organ transplant system in accordance with international standards, although the WHO does have concerns about overall transparency.</p><p>We continue to review any new evidence that is presented to us.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/11/2018 11:55:47 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

967744

registered interest
date	04/09/2018
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	China: Political Prisoners
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 June 2016 resolution of the US Congress entitled Expressing concern regarding persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	170313
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that suggest a process of involuntary organ removal may be taking place in China, including suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically targeted. The British government fully supports the Declaration of Istanbul (May 2008), which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities.</p><p>As the Minister for Europe and the Americas stated in a Westminster Hall debate on 11 October 2016: “Although I do not doubt the need to maintain close scrutiny of organ transplant practices in China, we believe that the evidence base is not sufficiently strong to substantiate claims about the systematic harvesting of organs from minority groups. Indeed, based on all the evidence available to us, we cannot conclude that this practice of “organ harvesting” is definitely happening in China.”</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 12/09/2018 15:35:40 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

947677

registered interest
date	24/07/2018
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	Pakistan: Blasphemy
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 had discussions with his Pakistani counterpart on strengthening the legal procedures relating to religious blasphemy charges in that country to protect against frivolous accusations.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	168066
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2018 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The blasphemy laws are used against Pakistanis belonging to all faiths although religious minorities are disproportionately affected. This is particularly concerning given the harsh penalties for blasphemy, including the death penalty.</p><p>We have regularly raised our human rights concerns with the previous Government of Pakistan at a senior level, and have urged them to take steps to prevent the misuse of the blasphemy laws. My colleague, the Minister of State for Commonwealth and the UN, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed the issue of freedom of religion or belief with the former Minister of Interior in February 2018. During my visit to Pakistan in November 2017, I raised discrimination against religious minorities with the Ministry of Human Rights.</p><p>We will continue to press the new Government of Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the rule of law.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/09/2018 12:14:48 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

947678

registered interest
date	24/07/2018
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	Pakistan: Blasphemy
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 implications for his polices of the submissions on proposed procedural amendments to check the misuse of blasphemy law in Pakistan authored by the Pakistani National Commission for Human Rights.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	168067
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2018 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned at the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The blasphemy laws are used against Pakistanis belonging to all faiths although religious minorities are disproportionately affected. This is particularly concerning given the harsh penalties for blasphemy, including the death penalty.</p><p>We have regularly raised our human rights concerns with the previous Government of Pakistan at a senior level, and have urged them to take steps to prevent the misuse of the blasphemy laws. My colleague, the Minister of State for Commonwealth and the UN, discussed the issue of freedom of religion or belief with the former Minister of Interior in February 2018. During my most recent visit to Pakistan in November 2017, I raised discrimination against religious minorities with the Ministry of Human Rights, and shall do again in my visit later this year.</p><p>We will continue to press the new Government of Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the rule of law.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 07/09/2018 14:25:44 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

947681

registered interest
date	24/07/2018
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	Nepal: 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, whether British Embassy staff in Nepal receive training on local religions, patterns of discrimination and conflict between religious groups and the interaction of religion with society.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	168070
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2018 answer text <p>​British Embassy staff in Nepal covering human rights receive training on international human rights issues, including freedom of religion and belief. We have also arranged multi faith breakfast meetings with religious leaders to allow staff to explore religious themes with faith leaders. This is further supported by engagement, by our staff, with NGOs, civil society and academics working on religious freedom issues, both in Nepal and London.</p><p>Online learning on Religion and Diplomacy is available to all Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/09/2018 12:17:50 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

947682

registered interest
date	24/07/2018
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	China: Prisoners
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 plans to support the creation of an international and independent review of the issue of organ harvesting in China.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	168071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that suggest a process of involuntary organ removal may be taking place in China, including suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically targeted. The British government continues activity to support the Declaration of Istanbul (May 2008), which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities.</p><p>As the Minister for Europe and the Americas stated in a Westminster Hall debate on 11 October 2016: “Although I do not doubt the need to maintain close scrutiny of organ transplant practices in China, we believe that the evidence base is not sufficiently strong to substantiate claims about the systematic harvesting of organs from minority groups. Indeed, based on all the evidence available to us, we cannot conclude that this practice of “organ harvesting” is definitely happening in China.”</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/09/2018 12:28:05 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

944088

registered interest
date	18/07/2018
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	Afghanistan: Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of violence in Jalalabad, Afghanistan as a result of the attack on 1 July 2018 in that city that targeted and killed members of the Hindu and Sikh communities.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	165566
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2018 answer text <p>​The UK Government condemned the 1 July attack on a group of Sikhs and Hindus in Jalalabad. On Twitter I publicly described it as &quot;a despicable attack on Afghanistan's historic Sikh and Hindu community&quot;.</p><p> </p><p>Security remains an ongoing challenge in Afghanistan and violence is particularly high in eastern Afghanistan. The Daesh affiliate, IS Khorasan Province (ISKP), has claimed responsibility for the overwhelming majority of attacks in Jalalabad this year. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are committed to tackling this threat. As part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission, the UK supports the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in its efforts to improve security for all communities in Afghanistan.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field grouped question UIN 165567 question first answered 23/07/2018 12:31:55 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

944089

registered interest
date	18/07/2018
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	Afghanistan: Administration of Justice
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 plans to provide assistance to the Afghan Government to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack on 1 July 2018 that targeted and killed prominent members of that country's Hindu and Sikh communities, including Awtar Singh Khals, the only Sikh parliamentary candidate.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	165567
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2018 answer text <p>​The UK Government condemned the 1 July attack on a group of Sikhs and Hindus in Jalalabad. On Twitter I publicly described it as &quot;a despicable attack on Afghanistan's historic Sikh and Hindu community&quot;.</p><p> </p><p>Security remains an ongoing challenge in Afghanistan and violence is particularly high in eastern Afghanistan. The Daesh affiliate, IS Khorasan Province (ISKP), has claimed responsibility for the overwhelming majority of attacks in Jalalabad this year. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are committed to tackling this threat. As part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission, the UK supports the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in its efforts to improve security for all communities in Afghanistan.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field grouped question UIN 165566 question first answered 23/07/2018 12:31:56 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon