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1138558

registered interest
date	11/07/2019
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	Jerusalem
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the government of Israel about (1) the demolition of Palestinian properties in East Jerusalem, (2) tunnelling in East Jerusalem, and (3) the activities of the Ateret Cohanim and Elad organisations.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL17116
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>Our Embassy in Tel Aviv discussed our concerns about the increase in demolitions in East Jerusalem with the Israeli Authorities on 25 June. The nature of these demolitions which took place within an area of the West Bank controlled by the Palestinian Authority is particularly concerning and we continue to monitor the situation closely. We regularly make clear our serious concerns about the situation in East Jerusalem to the Israeli authorities, both bilaterally and in co-operation with EU partners. We are strongly opposed to any attempts to change the facts on the ground in the East Jerusalem. The UK continues to regard Israeli settlements as illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace, and we regularly raise our concerns about settlement activity with the Israeli authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/07/2019 14:22:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1138564

registered interest
date	11/07/2019
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	Ministers: Languages
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what language training they provide to ministers with international portfolios.
tabling member printed	Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill
uin	HL17122
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/08/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not provide language training to ministers with international portfolios as a matter of course, but ministers can apply for FCO language training if they need it to conduct Government business.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/08/2019 13:18:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3125 label Biography information for Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

1138059

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Hungary: Academic 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 recent discussions he has had with (a) his Hungarian counterpart and (b) other EU counterparts on (i) the closure of the Central European University and (ii) restrictions on academic freedom in Hungary.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	275713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Embassy in Budapest have discussed this with the Hungarian government on various occasions, stressing that Central European University's (CEU) relocation to Vienna is a great loss for Budapest and Hungary. We regret that the Hungarian government and CEU could not find a mutually acceptable solution as a vibrant and diverse education sector brings substantial benefits to any country.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/07/2019 13:40:26 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1138060

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Somalia: Weapons
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 the Somali Government to counter the proliferation of weapons within Somalia and prevent access to weapons by terrorists.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	275714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK plays a leading role in upholding and strengthening the UN Somalia sanctions regime in our capacity as drafters for all UN Security Council Resolutions on Somalia. The sanctions regime is central to international efforts to promote peace and security in Somalia, including through addressing the threat of Al-Shabaab. The regime includes an arms embargo with certain exemptions for humanitarian protection, the African Union Mission in Somalia, and the development of the Somali security forces. Within these exemptions, safeguards are in place to manage proliferation of arms. Our Embassy in Mogadishu regularly engages with the Somali authorities on the importance of compliance with the regime and to support the development of effective weapons and ammunition management. More broadly, the UK has an extensive programme of support to security sector reform in Somalia, helping Somalia take responsibility for its own national security and reduce conflict and terrorism.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 16/07/2019 13:42:36 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1138070

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Iran: 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 information his Department holds on (a) reports that the Public Places Supervision Office is seeking to close Baha’i-owned businesses in Iran and (b) the targeting of other minority communities in that country.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	275647
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of reports indicating that Baha'i owned businesses are being targeted for closure, including reports of the attempted closure of a care centre in Karaj, Iran. We remain concerned about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority groups face.</p><p>We support the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran is legally sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition and the absence of other legal protections for adherents of this faith. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 18/07/2019 16:38:30 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1138077

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
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 implement the recommendations of the final report of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	275685
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2019 answer text <p>We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. I am pleased to confirm that the government has accepted the recommendations in full and work will now begin to implement them. This work will include exploring how best to deliver a new Security Council Resolution on protecting Christians in North Africa and the Middle East; and sanctioning those who persecute people for holding a religion or belief.</p> answering member constituency South West Surrey answering member printed Mr Jeremy Hunt question first answered 19/07/2019 12:26:20 answering member 1572 label Biography information for Jeremy Hunt
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1138115

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	India: Islam
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 trends in the level of religious violence directed against Muslims in India in the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	275716
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>We maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. India has a strong democratic framework and constitutionally enshrined protections for freedom of religious belief, but faces some challenges enforcing these due to its size and social and economic development. The situation for religious minorities in India varies, depending on location, socio-economic background and proportion of religious minorities.</p><p>We condemn any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief. We engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with non-governmental organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. The British High Commission in New Delhi, and our Deputy High Commissions across India, also run projects promoting minority rights and regularly meet with religious representatives, as well as official figures such as the Chair of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Minorities. Recent project work included 'Empowering Muslim youth' which reached 150 youths, 20 teachers and over 100 educational institutions.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:34:15 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1138117

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	India: Islam
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 potential effect of Hindu nationalist rhetoric publicly used by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in inciting violence against Indian Muslims.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	275717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>​We maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. India has a strong democratic framework and constitutionally enshrined protections for freedom of religious belief, but faces some challenges enforcing these due to its size and social and economic development. The situation for religious minorities in India varies, depending on location, socio-economic background and proportion of religious minorities.</p><p>We condemn any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief. We engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with non-governmental organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. The British High Commission in New Delhi, and our Deputy High Commissions across India, also run projects promoting minority rights and regularly meet with religious representatives, as well as official figures such as the Chair of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Minorities. Recent project work included 'Empowering Muslim youth' which reached 150 youths, 20 teachers and over 100 educational institutions.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:46:44 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1138163

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Bangladesh: 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, what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Bangladesh.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	275838
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) makes regular assessments of the political situation in Bangladesh, including through the British High Commission in Dhaka. Bangladesh is a close partner of the UK and a fellow Commonwealth member, and we welcome our joint reaffirmation of democratic values at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting on 10 July.</p><p>A general election took place in December in which the Awami League won 96% of seats in Parliament. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific issued a statement on 1 January noting credible accounts of obstacles and irregularities in the conduct of elections, and deploring the acts of intimidation and violence that took place. The UK called for the full and transparent resolution of complaints about the conduct of the elections.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary also wrote to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in January to express our concerns and to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to maintain dialogue with opposition parties and civil society. In April 2019, Minister Field reiterated these concerns and the importance of engaging with opposition parties and freedom of expression when he met the Prime Minister and ministers during his visit to Bangladesh.</p><p>Bangladesh remains a human rights priority country for the FCO. Ministers, and our High Commission in Dhaka, carry out a wide range of activities to promote human rights and freedom of expression in Bangladesh, working with civil society and other like-minded partners. We frequently raise these concerns with the Government of Bangladesh.</p><p>The UK will continue to engage with the Government of Bangladesh to address these concerns and will support efforts towards a stable, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:50:08 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1138164

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Sri Lanka: 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, what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	275839
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes regular assessments of the political situation in Sri Lanka, including through the British High Commission in Colombo. Sri Lanka is a close partner of the UK and a fellow Commonwealth member, and we welcome our joint reaffirmation of democratic values at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on 10 July.</p><p>We are concerned about the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. We have urged the Government of Sri Lanka to take stronger action to protect minorities and prevent extremists in all communities from inciting violence. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific most recently raised these concerns with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in June.</p><p>We are also concerned about President Sirisena's statements reiterating his intention to end the country's moratorium on the death penalty, and issued a statement on 26 June. While we welcome the Supreme Court ruling on 5 July halting executions until October, we have made clear our continued concern, including about the implications for our cooperation on counter narcotics, counter terrorism and other areas of law enforcement. We will continue to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to maintain its moratorium.</p><p>More broadly, the UK continues to believe that Sri Lanka's commitments to the UN Human Rights Council through Resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 remain the best framework for establishing truth, justice and lasting reconciliation in Sri Lanka. We will continue to encourage and support Sri Lanka to deliver on these commitments.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 18/07/2019 13:50:17 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones