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1224371

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Hagia Sophia
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 representation he has made to (a) his Turkish counterpart and (b) UNESCO on the importance of the Hagia Sophia to human civilisation and the need to ensure that the public retains access to the site because of its outstanding value to humankind.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	74003
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. It is for States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to ensure that their designated World Heritage List sites comply with the terms of the Convention. We work closely with UNESCO, its advisory bodies and partner governments to promote the highest standards of heritage protection. This helps to ensure designated sites are protected effectively for the whole of humanity, and for future generations.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 74004 question first answered 21/07/2020 08:06:45 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1224372

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Hagia Sophia
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 (a) his Turkish counterpart and (b) UNESCO to emphasise the shared history of the Hagia Sophia and to urge the maintenance of that site as a museum reflecting shared heritage.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	74004
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern this action has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. We have therefore not discussed the matter with other countries or organisations. It is for States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to ensure that their designated World Heritage List sites comply with the terms of the Convention. We work closely with UNESCO, its advisory bodies and partner governments to promote the highest standards of heritage protection. This helps to ensure designated sites are protected effectively for the whole of humanity, and for future generations.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton grouped question UIN 74003 question first answered 21/07/2020 08:06:45 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1224381

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Bahrain: Capital Punishment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the decision by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation to uphold death sentences against Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa on 13 July 2020, if he will suspend Government support for (a) the Bahraini Special Investigations Unit, (b) the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman and (c) other Bahraini institutions accused of complicity in the torture of both men.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	73748
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p><p>The UK welcomed the investigation by the Ombudsman and Special Investigation Unit into the cases of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa, ultimately leading to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice ordering a retrial - a first in Bahrain.</p><p>The UK is committed to supporting Bahrain's oversight bodies, including the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman and the independent Special Investigations Unit. We continue to believe that Bahrain is taking steps in the right direction to improve its record on justice and security issues. The support we provide to these bodies, including in partnership with the UN Development Programme contributing to their work to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 (strengthening institutions and increasing access to justice), contributes to the ongoing development of both their capacity and capabilities.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:52:51 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

1224385

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Bahrain: Integrated Activity Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the decision by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation to uphold death sentences against Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa on 13 July 2020, if the Government will take steps to increase transparency on the use of UK funding allocated to Bahrain under the Integrated Activity Fund.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	73749
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p><p>Our assistance is designed to support Bahrain-led reform in areas including human rights. It is provided in line with international standards and fully complies with our human rights obligations and the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance process. Programmes are routinely monitored by officials and evaluated, by officials, on a regular basis to ensure that they are on track for delivery.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:48:45 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

1224405

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Capital Punishment
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 Pakistani counterpart on (a) Shagufta Kauser, (b) Hussain Moosa and (c) other prisoners facing death sentences under blasphemy laws in that country.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	73879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned about the issue of blasphemy laws, which has affected both Muslims and non-Muslims. It is our longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We continue to closely monitor, the case of Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel, whose appeal hearing is delayed until September due to court closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>The UK Government regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and blasphemy laws at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan. Most recently, the Minister of State for South Asia and human rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, raised concerns on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the death penalty with Dr Mazari, Pakistan's Human Right Minister, on 15 July. Lord Ahmad also raised our concerns regarding the blasphemy laws, including the case of Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel, with Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Nafees Zakaria, on 23 June. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti MP, has also spoken to the Pakistani High Commissioner to the UK about Freedom of Religion or Belief.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/07/2020 17:02:03 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38716 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1224406

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Bahrain: Capital Punishment
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 officials attended the trial of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa in Bahrain on 13 July 2020; and what their assessment was of the decision to uphold their death sentences amid allegations of torture and due process violations.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
uin	73982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>Due to public health precautions in place for COVID-19, British Embassy officials were unable to attend the Court of Cassation. We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:55:30 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1224447

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Human Rights
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 plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of including Chinese officials who have allegedly committed human rights abuses in the next round of Magnitsky sanctions designations.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	73860
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>It is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated under the sanctions regime in the future. We do not want to reduce the impact of the designations. We will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 21/07/2020 16:53:45 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1224448

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Human Rights: Sanctions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to publish the process by which civil society organisations can share evidence of alleged human rights abuses with the Government for the purpose of the next round of Magnitsky sanctions designations.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	73861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>We value the insights and information NGOs can provide in respect of the sanctions regime. We intend to set out a clear line of communication between NGOs (and other organisations) and the Government in order to ensure an effective approach to sanctions as a policy tool. We have already published an Information Note on gov.uk aimed at NGOs and civil society organisations, to support dialogue with Government, including on the sharing of information.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 21/07/2020 16:55:17 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1224461

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2019 to Question 7221 on Kashmir: telecommunications, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of his Department sponsoring the India Global 2020 Week conference as a result of recent human rights violations.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	73953
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK and India have a deep, mature and wide-ranging relationship. Our trade and investment partnership is thriving; we collaborate on defence and security and we have a shared commitment to tackling climate change. The Foreign Secretary was pleased to participate in India Global Week with many Ministerial colleagues to discuss a wide range of issues. We regard human rights as an important part of our broad relationship with India, and raise our concerns with the Government of India where we have them.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/07/2020 17:00:44 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38714 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1224463

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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	Kashmir: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to his oral contribution of 30 June 2020, Official Report, column 149, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Indian and (b) Pakistani counterparts on Kashmir in light of recent tensions in that region.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	73954
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We regularly discuss Kashmir with the Governments of India and Pakistan. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary discussed Kashmir with his Indian counterpart on 20 April, and the Minister for South Asia, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed Kashmir with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights on 15 July.</p><p>The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We encourage both sides to engage in dialogue and find lasting, diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/07/2020 17:04:20 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38754 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan