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1310687

registered interest
date	20/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Chechnya: LGBT People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps are being taken to protect the LGBT+ minority in Chechnya.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	184523
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2021 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned about the continuing persecution of LGBT individuals in Chechnya. Persecution for being LGBT, anywhere in the world, is abhorrent. As we state in our Travel Advice, there are credible reports of arrest, torture and extrajudicial killing of LGBT individuals in Chechnya. In December 2018 the UK was one of 16 countries to invoke the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism, requiring an independent OSCE investigation. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism's independent 2018 report confirmed allegations of serious human rights violations in Chechnya against LGBT individuals and other groups including unlawful detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings. We continue to urge Russia to implement the recommendations made in the Moscow Mechanism report and to end the climate of impunity for human rights abusers in Chechnya.</p><p>On 10 December 2020, we announced designations under our autonomous Global Human Rights sanctions regime, including those responsible for the ongoing torture and murder of LGBT individuals in Chechnya. We continue to raise our concerns about the persecution of LGBT individuals in Chechnya with the Russian Government at all levels. On 17 November 2020, I raised this with my counterpart, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 26/04/2021 14:07:46 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1310275

registered interest
date	19/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Montenegro: Non-governmental Organisations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Montenegrin counterpart on alleged attacks and criticisms of non-governmental organisations in that country.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	183227
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2021 answer text <p>During discussions in January with the Montenegrin Foreign Minister, I welcomed the new Montenegrin government's commitment to making the reforms required for deeper Euro-Atlantic integration. Our Embassy in Podgorica is in regular contact with civil society to hear their concerns and is working with them on a range of projects to strengthen democratic institutions. The Montenegrin government is working cooperatively with a number of NGOs on some issues, although other NGOs are concerned that this may limit the sector's ability to hold the government to account</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 22/04/2021 13:41:44 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1310302

registered interest
date	19/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	South America: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taking to promote and support good governance and democracy in South American countries.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	183228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2021 answer text <p>Promoting democracy and defending democratic freedoms is a fundamental part of the UK's foreign policy. We believe that strong democratic institutions and accountable government, which uphold universal rights and the rule of law, are key building blocks for secure and prosperous states. The way we act to support democracy in each country is different, and dependent on the context and needs of the country concerned. Our approach is practical, based on an understanding of where and how we can affect positive change.</p><p>In the Americas, we support a wide range of democracy-building initiatives, including funding NGOs that increase citizen participation, promoting inclusion of marginalised groups, providing training for legal professionals, promoting freedom of expression, and strengthening political parties and parliaments. As a 'force for good,' the UK will continue to work with its allies, including championing and strengthening democracy through international bodies like the UN.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 22/04/2021 13:49:06 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1309449

registered interest
date	15/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Baltic States: NATO
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has been made of the level of threat of the recent Russian military mobilisation to NATO allies in the Baltic region.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	181364
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/04/2021 answer text <p>Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine, and provocative military activities are a source of regional instability. The enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland demonstrates NATO's steadfast commitment to collective defence and deterrence, making it clear that an attack on one Ally would be considered an attack on the whole Alliance. UK Armed Forces have a leading role in NATO's eFP in the Baltic States, in order to enhance Euro-Atlantic security, reassure our Allies and deter our adversaries.</p><p>We regularly discuss with NATO allies our responses to potential threats from Russia and as fellow Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, we engage directly with Russia on matters of international peace and security, including the Baltic Region.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 20/04/2021 10:11:49 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1306843

registered interest
date	12/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Azerbaijan: Prisoners of War
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in Azerbaijan on releasing remaining Armenian prisoners of war.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	178534
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2021 answer text <p>During my recent visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan, I urged both parties to work with the ICRC to expedite the returns of all prisoners of war. Our Embassy in Baku continue to raise this with the Government of Azerbaijan. The UK Government will continue to support both sides in abiding by the November peace deal and to settle all outstanding matters through talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 15/04/2021 16:12:36 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1304859

registered interest
date	22/03/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Turkey: Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Turkish counterpart on the withdrawal of the Turkish Government from the Istanbul Convention on Women's Rights.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	173113
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>The UK is committed to ending violence against women and girls. We were disappointed that Turkey began proceedings to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention on 19 March. While this is a matter for Turkey, we regret that it has taken this decision, especially in light of President Erdoğan's ambitions for reform as expressed in Turkey's human rights action plan, published on 2 March. I expressed our view publicly in these terms on 21 March, and my colleague the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa also raised it with his Turkish counterpart when they spoke on 23 March, urging Turkey to reconsider its decision. The UK signed the Convention in 2012 and remains committed to ratifying it.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 25/03/2021 17:08:31 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1304861

registered interest
date	22/03/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	South America: Women's Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with regional partners in south America on women's rights.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	173114
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>We remain committed to delivering a broad human rights agenda across Latin America, and this includes our work on promoting gender equality by tackling violence against women and girls. The UK is committed to advancing gender equality, women's rights, and girl's rights. We are taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by 2021, including through the UK's Presidency of the G7, co-hosting the Global Partnership for Education replenishment, and COP26. On 13 October 2020, Lord Ahmad, Minister with responsibility for Human Rights and the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, undertook a virtual visit to Colombia, where he discussed a range of human rights issues, including women and young girls in indigenous communities.</p><p>This year, the UK will co-lead (with Uruguay, Iceland, and Kenya) the new global Action Coalition on Gender Based Violence as part of the Generation Equality Forum convened by UN Women, and co-hosted by the Governments of Mexico and France in March and June 2021. The Action Coalition also seeks to adopt a multi-stakeholder approach in developing evidence-based approaches to preventing all forms of Gender Based Violence. We have supported projects in South America, including in Colombia to prevent violence against women through art, empowering women, and creating meeting spaces.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 25/03/2021 17:03:40 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1304864

registered interest
date	22/03/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	South America: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with partners in south America on protections for indigenous communities.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	173115
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2021 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to promoting and defending the human rights of all individuals, including indigenous peoples. I have spoken about a range of issues with partners in South America as part of our regular dialogues. On 13 October 2020, Lord Ahmad, Minister with responsibility for Human Rights and the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, undertook a virtual visit to Colombia, where he discussed a range of human rights issues, including women and girls in indigenous communities. The UK's Ambassador for Human Rights subsequently undertook a virtual visit to Colombia between 9-10 February, and discussed a broad human rights agenda with Colombian government representatives and civil society. During the visit she also discussed protection mechanisms for social leaders, including indigenous leaders in Colombia.</p><p>More widely, the UK continues to support work with indigenous communities across Brazil, including in the Amazon region. In Brazil, UK programmes on building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic include a focus on vulnerable groups, and in the Amazon region, work on issues such as solar energy, primary health, and skills development.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 25/03/2021 17:05:53 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1304102

registered interest
date	18/03/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Ecuador: Elections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Ecuador on ongoing elections in that country.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	171681
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2021 answer text <p>Our Embassy in Quito has had discussions with the candidates and remains in close contact on this issue with other Embassies and International Organisations in country.</p><p>The first round of the Ecuadorean Presidential elections took place on 7 February. Staff from our Embassy in Quito participated in observation on the day, alongside international partners. We observed nothing of concern in terms of the conduct of the poll. The second round will be held on 11 April, and the UK fully supports the Government of Ecuador in running a peaceful, open and inclusive electoral process.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 23/03/2021 13:05:56 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1304105

registered interest
date	18/03/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Bolivia: Elections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Bolivian counterpart on the need for reconciliation following the recent election in that country.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	171682
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2021 answer text <p>Our Ambassador and Embassy Team in La Paz are in regular contact with representatives of the Government of Bolivia at all levels, including to discuss the issue of political reconciliation.</p><p>We also continue to work with international partners in Bolivia to raise shared concerns about political developments with the Government.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 23/03/2021 13:11:55 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West