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101867

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
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
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 human rights in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	212679
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>Human rights are generally well protected under Nepal’s Interim Constitution, although gaps remain in effective implementation. Overall, respect for civil and political rights has improved since the end of the conflict. But as I pointed out to my Nepali counterparts when I visited in May, the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Nepal should address crimes committed during the conflict in a way that is consistent with Nepal’s obligations under international law. Social and economic rights have also largely been on a positive trend, although discrimination, inequality and insecurity persist for many. Gender based violence remains a significant concern, and the UK will continue to prioritise it in our political and programmatic engagement with Nepal.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:30:20 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

101870

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
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	Paraguay: Indigenous Peoples
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 he has received on deforestation of uncontacted Indians' land in the Chaco region of Paraguay; and if he will make it his policy to liaise with other governments and international agencies to make representations to the government of Paraguay to halt that deforestation.
tabling member constituency	Colchester
tabling member printed	Sir Bob Russell
uin	212736
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We have received reports from both local and international non-governmental organisations regarding the deforestation of the Chaco region of Paraguay. Our Embassy in Asuncion, accompanied by the World Land Trust and Guyra-Paraguay, met the Environment Minister earlier this year to urge the Government to adopt sustainable development principles and consider the needs of the indigenous people in the area.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:33:53 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	35 label Biography information for Sir Bob Russell

101871

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Iranian government on the imprisonment of (a) Ebrahim Firouzi, (b) Shahin Lahooti, (c) Suroush Saraie and (d) Mohammad Roghangir.
tabling member constituency	Salisbury
tabling member printed	John Glen
uin	212637
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the detention of all prisoners of conscience in Iran, and by the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have called for the Iranian government to protect the rights of all minority groups in Iran and to end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, most recently during our representations to the United Nations Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights in Iran on 31 October.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 05/11/2014 15:36:39 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4051 label Biography information for John Glen

101872

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
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	Burma
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 draft religious conversion law proposed by the government of Burma.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212573
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government has voiced our strong concerns over proposed legislation on religious conversion, both with members of the Burmese government and with Burmese parliamentarians. If enacted, this law would harm religious tolerance and respect for diversity in Burma, and contravene international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During my visit in January, I delivered a speech in which I called for greater religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue. We continue to make clear that respect for freedom of religion and belief must be guaranteed.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:27:56 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101875

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
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	Burma
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 his Burmese counterparts on ratification of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212572
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We have had a number of discussions with the Burmese government on the importance of Burma ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). I personally raised the importance of adhering to international human rights standards and encouraged the ratification of key human rights treaties with Burma’s Deputy Foreign Minister when we met in June. At the request of the Burmese government the British Embassy in Rangoon recently funded an experts’ visit to Burma to identify steps that would need to be taken and issues that would need to be considered to ratify the ICCPR.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:25:48 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101558

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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	Montenegro
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 he has had with his NATO counterparts about offering a Membership Action Plan for Montenegro; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	212391
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The first cycle of Montenegro’s Membership Action Plan was initiated in 2009.</p><p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), together with his counterparts from NATO Allies, met NATO’s aspiring members, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro, on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales to discuss their progress towards joining the Alliance. The Allies welcomed the significant progress made by Montenegro in its reforms and looked to Montenegro to continue its efforts to address the remaining challenges, particularly with respect to the rule of law and completing security sector reform.</p><p>At the Summit, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to commence ‘intensified and focused talks’ with Montenegro before reassessing their progress no later than December 2015. As a part of this process NATO’s Military Committee visited Montenegro on 27-28 October 2014.</p><p>The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 05/11/2014 14:52:20 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101559

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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	Macedonia
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 he has had with his Macedonian counterpart about the possibility of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia joining NATO; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	212392
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text The first cycle of Macedonia’s Membership Action Plan was initiated in 1999 and in 2008 the Allies agreed that an invitation to join NATO would be extended as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the issue over its name has been reached with Greece within the framework established by the UN. This condition has not yet been fulfilled. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) together with his counterparts from NATO Allies, met NATO’s aspiring members, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro, on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales to discuss their progress towards joining the Alliance. At the Summit, the Allies reaffirmed their continued support for Macedonia’s eventual membership and encouraged them to meet the established conditions on which their next steps towards NATO depend. The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 05/11/2014 14:49:38 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101561

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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	Georgia
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 he has had with NATO counterparts about offering a Membership Action Plan for Georgia; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	212462
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, (Mr Hammond) together with his counterparts from NATO Allies, met NATO’s aspiring members, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro, on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales to discuss their progress towards joining the Alliance.</p><p>At the Summit, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to provide Georgia with a ‘substantial package’ of support and engagement measures in recognition of the reform progress it has made.</p><p>Georgia was awarded an Annual National Programme, which is the tool used by MAP countries, in 2008. It continues to reflect Georgia’s strong and productive relationship with NATO and their commitment to the reform process.</p><p>The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 05/11/2014 15:01:29 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101592

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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	India
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 short term objectives are of the Indian Diaspora Champion.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212444
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:00:49 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

101593

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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	Ethnic 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 appoint a diaspora champion for (a) Pakistan and (b) other countries.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212445
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:03:34 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz