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969160

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2018
	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	Syria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to safeguard persecuted communities in Syria, including Syrian Christians during the offensive in the Idlib area of Syria.
	tabling member constituency	Stirling
	tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
	uin	171431
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2018 answer text <p>​We are gravely concerned about the risks for all the civilian population in Idlib, regardless of ethnicity or religion, from the threatened military offensive by the Syrian regime and Russia. The UK supports the urgent diplomatic efforts being made by Turkey and the UN. We call on the Syrian regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, to uphold the de-escalation arrangements they have previously agreed, and for all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including protection of all civilians without discrimination. We are providing additional humanitarian assistance and medical support to Idlib. This assistance is distributed on the basis of need, to ensure Syrians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 14/09/2018 13:37:58 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr

625961

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2016
	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	Syria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to enable Christians to stay in Syria.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	51269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2016 answer text <p>The UK continues to work for a sustainable political settlement in Syria, based on transition away from the Asad regime, to create a state in which all groups in Syria's rich and diverse society can be safe.</p><p>We are a core member of the International Syria Support Group which has agreed that protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination, is fundamental. We continue to support the Syrian moderate opposition which includes representatives from religious and ethnic minority groups. Through Foreign and Commonwealth Office programmes we also support non-governmental efforts to promote dialogue between different ethnic and sectarian groups and education on tolerance, integration and pluralism.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 03/11/2016 12:38:27 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

999396

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2018
	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	Syria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to enable Christians to remain in Syria.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	186246
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2018 answer text <p>​As a member of the UN Security Council and the Syria Small Group, the UK is working in support of a political settlement to the conflict that protects all Syrians, including Christians and other minority groups. We have consistently called for members of religious minorities to be protected, including through the Syria resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council, on which the UK leads. We are also at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, providing life-saving support to millions of Syrians from all communities, supporting them to remain in the region.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/11/2018 17:22:47 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

442335

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2016
	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	Syria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representation in the Vienna peace talks on the future of Syria it is planned Assyrian-Syriac Christians will have.
	tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
	tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
	uin	20788
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2016 answer text <p>Members of all major communities of Syrian society – including Syrian Christians - participated at the Riyadh Opposition Conference in December 2015. The meeting participants agreed to form a delegation to negotiate with the Syrian regime representatives, in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué, under the auspices and guarantee of the UN and supported by the International Syria Support Group.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 12/01/2016 12:10:20 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

625959

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2016
	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	Syria: Christianity
	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 reports he has received on the treatment of Christians in Syria.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	51271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2016 answer text <p>We follow the situation in Syria closely, including the situation for minorities. We recognise the situation is desperate for many communities across the country, including Christians. A number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the independent UN Commission of Inquiry have highlighted the dangers facing Christians and other minorities at the hands of Daesh.</p><p>We condemn in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by Daesh against all civilians, including Christians and other minorities, as well as the majority Muslim population in Syria. Ultimately, the best way of safeguarding minority rights in the region is by defeating Daesh and establishing peace and stability in the region. The UK has been at the forefront of these efforts, and has a comprehensive strategy to deal with Daesh.</p><p>The UK believes that a transition away from the Asad regime is needed to bring about a sustainable peace in Syria which allows the protection of all Syrians, including minorities.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 03/11/2016 12:41:37 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

521199

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2016
	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	Syria: Christianity
	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 he holds on the number of Christians in Aleppo.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	38256
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2016 answer text <p>There is a lack of reliable information on the number of Christians in Aleppo. At a press conference at the UN in Geneva in March 2016 the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, Antoine Audo (also President of Caritas Syria), estimated that the population of Christians in Aleppo had fallen from 160,000 pre-conflict to only 40,000 in 2016. My noble friend, the Rt Hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns recently met with Armenian Church leaders, including one from Aleppo, who stated his congregation had fallen by 50%.</p><p>Overall, prior to the conflict, Christians numbered about 2.2 million — 10% of Syria's population. 40% of the Christian population have now left Syria. Many of the Christians left because of the widespread perception they supported the regime. Those remaining vehemently reject the claim.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 02/06/2016 12:46:49 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1047043

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	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	Syria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Syria on that country's inclusion in the Open Doors 2019 World Watch List of the top 50 countries where Christians face persecution.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	211917
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary and I, alongside other British Government Ministers, routinely raise our concerns about the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians, where this occurs. He recently asked the Bishop of Truro to conduct an independent review of the persecution of Christians around the world to help inform this important area of our work and ensure it is targeted and effective. The Government works with a large number of NGOs, including Open Doors, to help promote and protect freedom of religion or belief. We use information from a wide range of sources to inform our work.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field grouped question UIN 211879 211880 211881 211882 211883 211884 211885 211886 211887 211888 211889 211890 211891 211892 211893 211894 211895 211896 211897 211898 211899 211900 211901 211902 211903 211904 211905 211906 211907 211908 211909 211910 211911 211912 211913 211914 211915 211916 211918 211919 211920 211921 211922 211923 211924 211925 211926 211927 211928 question first answered 31/01/2019 13:02:22 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

439397

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2015
	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	Syria: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, through what means his Department communicates with and receives communications from Christian communities in Syria; and how he assesses the quality of information received otherwise by his Department on the situation of such communities in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Beckenham
	tabling member printed	Bob Stewart
	uin	20696
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2016 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office representatives meet Church leaders and Non-Governmental Organisations representing Christian communities in Syria on a regular basis in London, through our Embassy to the Holy See and at our Syria Offices in Beirut and Istanbul. We also receive regular correspondence from groups highlighting the situation of Christians in Syria. These sources provide us with valuable insights into the situation facing Christians in Syria and the region. We recognise the contribution that recognised religious leaders can make on the Syria political track. They and other leading members of civil society will need a strong voice in the debate on Syria’s future.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 05/01/2016 14:49:53 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	3919 label Biography information for Bob Stewart

446341

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2016
	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	Syria: Christianity
	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 take steps to protect Christians in Syria from persecution by Daesh.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Ben Howlett
	uin	23250
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2016 answer text <p>We recognise the situation is desperate for many communities within Syria and Iraq. We condemn in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by Daesh against all civilians, including Christians and other minorities, as well as the majority Muslim population in Syria and Iraq.</p><p>The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) has agreed that protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination is fundamental. This means that Syrian minorities will be included as the political process progresses. Through our membership of the ISSG, we will ensure that this is adhered to.</p><p>The Global Coalition has provided air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (which include Syrian Christian members) in their fight against Daesh.</p><p>Ultimately, the best way of safeguarding minority rights is by defeating Daesh and establishing peace and stability in the region. The UK has been at the forefront of these efforts and, together with our allies, has a comprehensive strategy to deal with Daesh.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/01/2016 15:07:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4445 label Biography information for Ben Howlett

873786

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2018
	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	Syria: Christianity
	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 representations to the Government in Turkey on ending the attacks on the Christian community in Syria.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	134900
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2018 answer text <p>​We are closely following developments in Afrin in north-western Syria, and the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers are in regular contact with their Turkish counterparts. We have called for the protection of civilians. While recognising Turkey's legitimate interest in the security of its borders, it remains in our shared interest to focus on achieving a political settlement that ends the war in Syria, provides stability for all Syrians and the wider region, and secures the enduring defeat of Daesh. We have urged the Turkish government to use the current pause in operations to allow for delivery of humanitarian aid, in line with UNSCR 2401 and in accordance with applicable international law.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 18/04/2018 14:51:11 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew