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1134818

registered interest
date	26/06/2019
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	Western Sahara: Sovereignty
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 Moroccan counterpart on independence for Western Sahara.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	269615
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government regards the final status of Western Sahara as undetermined, and supports UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. As a member of the UN Security Council, the UK regularly discusses Western Sahara with Morocco and others, most recently during the renewal of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)’s mandate in April. We continue to convey to Morocco the importance we attach to reaching a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 01/07/2019 16:41:06 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1134822

registered interest
date	26/06/2019
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	Russia: Council of Europe
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 Council of Europe’s decision allowing Russia to return to the human rights watchdog.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	269658
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The decision to adopt rules changes that saw the return of the Russian delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly was a matter for the Assembly, which is independent from the intergovernmental Committee of Ministers. Russia's membership of the Council of Europe provides access, valued by Russian citizens and human rights NGOs, to the European Court of Human Rights and is one of the few ways available to the international community to hold Russia to account for its human rights violations. The British government did not, however, support Russia's unconditional return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. We consistently called on Russia to fulfil all its obligations as a Member State, including payment of all debts to the Council of Europe, and to adhere to Council of Europe standards on human rights, democracy and rule of law. We will continue our efforts in the Council of Europe to ensure Russia is answerable for its actions. We will also continue to make clear that we do not and will never recognise Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 01/07/2019 15:48:18 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1134838

registered interest
date	26/06/2019
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	Jagtar Singh Johal
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress he has made with his Indian counterpart on securing the release of Jagtar Singh Johal.
tabling member constituency	Walsall North
tabling member printed	Eddie Hughes
uin	269756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>We make frequent representations on Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s behalf. Most recently, the British High Commissioner to India raised Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 10 May, and with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK on 10 June. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific also raised Mr <strong>Johal</strong>'s case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 12 March. The Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Asia and the Pacific met with Mr Johal's family and their MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes on 24 April. Our consular staff in India continue to regularly visit Mr <strong>Johal</strong>.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 01/07/2019 16:42:11 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4635 label Biography information for Eddie Hughes

1132610

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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: Dams
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar about the Myitsone dam project in Kachin State, Burma, published on 8 June, in particular that that dam project would “provoke a humanitarian catastrophe” of forcible displacement, migration and natural disasters; and what representations they are making about the impact of the project with the governments of Burma and China.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL16388
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​The British Government remains concerned about potential risks attached to the Myitsone Dam project. We urge both the Chinese and Burmese governments to ensure that infrastructure projects comply with international norms and standards, including environmental and socials standards and the necessity of consultations with affected communities. It is vital that much needed infrastructure investments deliver sustainable and equitable development impacts for the people of Burma. We have raised this issue with the both the Government of Burma and the Chinese Ambassador to Burma.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:07:54 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1132611

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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: Indigenous Peoples
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure (1) the survival of the culture and religion of the Kalash people in Pakistan, and (2) that the members of that community are not forced to convert their religious beliefs.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL16389
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable including minority groups as laid down in the Constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards.</p><p>The Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Human Rights Minister during his visit to Pakistan in February.</p><p>We strongly condemn forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan and we engage at a senior level on the mistreatment of religious and ethnic groups.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 15:51:54 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1132614

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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: Christianity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of, and (2) what representations they made to the government of Burma about, reports from Chin State, Burma, that on 24 and 25 May three Christians in Padekyaw village were forced to sign documents by village officials and local monks verifying their conversion to Buddhism after being threatened with eviction if they refused; that Christians were told they could not live in Hmwar Village Tract; and a public announcement made in eight villages threatening residents that communicating or trading with Christians would result in a fine.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL16392
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​The British Government has noted the recent report from the China Human Rights Organisation and continues to be concerned by restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, including reports of forced conversions, in Burma. The UK, working with the EU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, secured a UN Human Rights Council Resolution on 27 September 2018 that called for the amending or repealing of discriminatory provisions of the &quot;protection of race and religion laws&quot; in Burma covering religious conversion, interfaith marriage, monogamy and population control. Our Ambassador met the Burmese Minister for Religious Affairs on 9 August 2018, and underlined the importance of interfaith dialogue.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:42:20 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1132622

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Hong Kong: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British passport holders are in Hong Kong; and what are their obligations to the holders of such passports.
tabling member printed	Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
uin	HL16400
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​We do not hold information regarding the number of British passport holders in Hong Kong. Our obligation to all British nationals abroad is set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's publically available guide: 'Support for British nationals abroad'. Some examples of the support we provide to all British nationals abroad include: issuing emergency travel documents, providing local information (details of local lawyers interpreters and doctors), and providing notarial and documentary services.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:04:11 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	3609 label Biography information for Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

1132626

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to invite the families of Jamal Khashoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia to the Global Conference for Media Freedom in July.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL16404
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​As this is the first ever Ministerial gathering on the issue of media freedom we want to make sure that the personal stories of journalists targeted for their work form the centre of the conference. We are therefore making sure that most panels include a journalist with a personal story, or a member of their family. High profile cases, like those of Jamal Khashoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia will feature, but there are other cases that are less high profile but whose victims also deserve justice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:40:04 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic

1132627

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the speech by the Foreign Secretary at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day in Addis Ababa on 2 May, what action they have taken to (1) "shine a spotlight on abuses" of media freedom in (a) Malta, and (b) Saudi Arabia, and (2) "raise the price for those who would murder, arrest or detain journalists just for doing their jobs" as part of their Media Freedom campaign.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL16405
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​As part of our Media Freedom Campaign we have been working to raise the profile of media freedom across the globe. As an example, many of our posts held events to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. We created a new Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship, enabling 60 African journalists over the next 5 years to gain experience in the newsrooms of Britain's leading media organisations. The Foreign Secretary has appointed Amal Clooney as his Special Envoy on Media Freedom and she is convening a High Level Panel of Legal Experts who will generate increased momentum around the need to amend outdated legislation. We are also building an alliance of likeminded partners who will lobby with us on individual cases.</p><p>With regards to Malta, we have made clear our position on the tragic death of Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017, that all those responsible must be held to account. We continue to raise this case with the Maltese government and have encouraged engagement with the Media Freedom campaign and its aim to increase the protection of journalists worldwide. On Saudi Arabia, we remain concerned about deterioration in freedom of expression and freedom of the press. We work closely with the Saudi Arabian government on issues related to media freedom. We also raise individual cases of detained journalists with Saudi counterparts. The UK has condemned Jamal Khashoggi's killing in the strongest possible terms. Anyone found responsible for any offence must be held fully accountable.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:02:39 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic

1132631

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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: Prostitution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to share best practice on reducing sex tourism in developing countries, and in addressing corruption linked to sex work and slavery.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL16409
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​The illicit sex trade is closely linked to modern slavery, and the fight against modern slavery is one of the foreign policy priorities of this government. The UK is in the forefront of the international efforts to combat modern slavery, including sexual exploitation, and this government has committed over £200 million of UK Aid to this end. We work in partnership with host governments, where appropriate, to help them strengthen their domestic legislation, to build capacity in their law enforcement authorities, and to raise awareness among vulnerable communities.</p><p>We take the question of illegal sex tourism by UK nationals overseas very seriously, and Section 72 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 also allows for the prosecution of UK nationals/residents who sexually abuse or exploit children, wherever in the world they commit these acts. Combatting criminal offending and safeguarding of victims is almost always best achieved through local intervention and local support mechanisms. However, where there is a safeguarding issue or an ongoing risk to children, proceedings can be brought in England and Wales against the individual, regardless of whether the local authorities have sought to bring such action.</p><p>Our network of tri-departmental Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office and the Department For International Development Serious and Organised Crime Regional Coordinators, and National Crime Agency officers posted overseas, work closely with their host governments in the fight against all forms of organised crime, including child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). The network's aim is to fuse and enhance the response to transnational serious and organised crime. The Government is also enhancing its understanding of the nature and impact of international illicit finance (including corruption), demonstrating the UK's global leadership in tackling it. We will engage with partner governments to build both the political will and the capability to tackle this threat. In addition, as part of the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2017-2022, we are taking forward a wide range of programmes and initiatives to tackle corruption internationally.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:41:33 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton