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1127984

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	North Korea: Human Trafficking
	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 report by the Korea Future Initiative Sex Slaves: The Prostitution, Cybersex, and Forced Marriage of North Korean Women and Girls in China, published and presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea on 20 May which details the trafficking, abuse, forced marriage and enslavement of North Korean women by Chinese trafficking gangs; and whether they intend to raise the contents of that report with the governments of the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>We are grateful to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for North Korea for its ongoing work to highlight the grave human rights situation in North Korea. The Korea Future Initiative’s new report presents a stark and worsening picture of the plight of North Korean women and girls in China. We are deeply concerned at its accounts of women and girls being trafficked from North Korea to China for prostitution and forced marriage, and the misery and suffering they endure.</p><p>We will continue to raise with China our concerns over the repatriation of North Korean refugees, which we believe puts them at serious risk of exploitation. We continue to emphasise to China that those fleeing North Korea should be treated as legitimate asylum claimants. The UK is at the forefront of raising global awareness of modern slavery and sexual violence. As such, we will consider the best way to address the issues in the report including raising these with the appropriate Chinese and North Korean authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:41:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127987

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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: Religious Freedom
	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 report by Members of the European Parliament Religious Minorities in Pakistan, published on 13 May, which states that the situation of Pakistan’s minorities is worsening; and whether they intend to raise the contents of that report with the government of Pakistan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15872
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of the report on Religious Minorities in Pakistan which was published on 13 May by Members of the European Parliament.</p><p>The British Government regularly raises its concerns about discrimination against minority communities with the Pakistani Government at a senior level. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, during my visit to Islamabad in February.</p><p>At the UN Periodic Review of Pakistan's human rights record in November 2017, the UK called on Pakistan to strengthen protection of minorities and establish an independent National Commission for Minorities. The Government will continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to religious minorities, and to uphold the rule of law.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:43:34 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127988

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	North Korea: Human Trafficking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that skewed gender ratios in China are exacerbating human trafficking from North Korea to China and leading to enforced prostitution and enslavement of women.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15873
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>It is possible that alongside a number of other social and economic factors, China’s skewed gender balance has contributed to the creation of a market in neighbouring countries, including North Korea, for trafficked girls and young women. The UK is at the forefront of raising global awareness of modern slavery and sexual violence, and continues to raise our concerns with other governments about the trafficking of girls and young women and the misery and suffering they endure.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:43:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127999

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Greece: Asylum
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports they have received of refoulement and maltreatment contrary to the UN Convention on Refugees, by the Greek authorities against persons trying to claim asylum on the frontier between Greece and Turkey in Thrace; and whether they will make further enquiries and representations to the government of Greece about any such reported treatment.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL15884
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>​We are aware of recent media reports that asylum seekers have transferred back across the land border from Greece to Turkey against their will.</p><p>The British Government recognises the importance of all countries observing their obligations under international law to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, and remains committed to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.</p><p>Our Ambassador visited the border area in November 2018, and had discussions with the Hellenic Police and representatives of the Greek Reception &amp; Identification Service about the processing of arriving migrants.</p><p>Where the UK has concerns about the conditions faced by migrants we will continue to raise them as part of our regular engagement at Ministerial and official level.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:09:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1128003

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Saudi Arabia: Capital Punishment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised with the government of Saudi Arabia its decision to execute 37 men convicted of terrorism on 23 April; and whether they have sought further clarification of the terrorist offences for which those executed were convicted.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL15888
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>We are very concerned by the 37 executions in Saudi Arabia on 23 April. The Foreign Secretary raised this matter directly and asked for more information from the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Minister Al Jubeir. The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, including in Saudi Arabia. We regularly raise human rights concerns, including the use of the death penalty, at the highest levels with the Saudi Arabian authorities. We consistently and unreservedly condemn torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and it is a priority for us to challenge it wherever and whenever it occurs.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:59:18 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1128004

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Aras Amiri
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what further information they have on the case of Aras Amiri, the British Council worker whose sentence to 10 years in prison in Iran for spying was reported on 14 May; and what action they are taking to ensure her safety and wellbeing.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL15889
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/05/2019 answer text <p>​We remain very concerned about reports of Aras Amiri's sentence. We are still continuing to work closely with the British Council to understand the situation further and to provide what support and advice we can, recognising that unfortunately, as a mono-Iranian national, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no formal or practical ability to request consular access. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranian authorities at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/05/2019 15:56:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1128005

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Nigeria: Islamic State
	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 influence of the Islamic State in West Africa Province in north eastern Nigeria and the potential for further conflict across in the region.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL15890
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>We are concerned with the increase of Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) activity in North Eastern Nigeria. Together with international partners, we will continue to support Nigeria and its neighbours to tackle threats to regional stability by ISWA. Regional governments must work together to stabilise areas affected by terrorism and reduce safe havens for terrorists. Humanitarian operations have been placed under pressure and some suspended, cutting off support for up to 120,000 people. We are working with international partners to support contingency planning to protect aid workers, providing strategic military advice, and are reviewing options for additional UK assistance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:50:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1128006

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Brazil: Rainforests
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the government of Brazil to exercise restraint over the economic exploitation of Amazon rainforest, in view of its importance to the global environment.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL15891
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>​Our posts in Brazil frequently engage with the Brazilian Government on a number of environmental issues including deforestation. We have been having positive discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and work closely with them on our International Climate Fund programmes.</p><p>We are working with Brazil to help ensure it continues to protect the Amazon and have invested nearly £120 million through the International Climate Fund on projects to limit deforestation, prevent forest fires and implement the Forestry Code in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:51:51 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1128012

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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: Extradition
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the human rights guarantees in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what assessment they have made of the implications for (1) human rights, and (2) the independence of the judiciary, in Hong Kong of the government of Hong Kong's proposals to amend its extradition law.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Northover
	uin	HL15897
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>We have noted the concerns voiced by legal and business representative organisations and civil society groups in Hong Kong about both the content and the short consultation period allowed for the proposed changes to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance.</p><p>We have raised a number of issues relating to the proposals with the Hong Kong Government at senior levels. These include potential implications for both our joint security cooperation and our bilateral extradition treaty and the potential consequences for the UK business community and for UK citizens living in or travelling through Hong Kong. We will continue to seek clarity from the authorities on these points.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, issued a Joint Statement on 30 May, which noted concern for the potential effect of the proposals on the large number of UK and Canadian citizens in Hong Kong, on business confidence and on Hong Kong’s international reputation. They made clear that any extradition arrangements in Hong Kong should be in line with ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and fully respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. They also urged the Hong Kong Government to engage meaningfully with Hong Kong’s broad range of local and international stakeholders in order to ensure their concerns are fully considered.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 14:48:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover

1128013

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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: Extradition
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of implications for the UK’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong of that government's proposals to amend its extradition law.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Northover
	uin	HL15898
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>We have noted the concerns voiced by legal and business representative organisations and civil society groups in Hong Kong about both the content and the short consultation period allowed for the proposed changes to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance.</p><p>We have raised a number of issues relating to the proposals with the Hong Kong Government at senior levels. These include potential implications for both our joint security cooperation and our bilateral extradition treaty and the potential consequences for the UK business community and for UK citizens living in or travelling through Hong Kong. We will continue to seek clarity from the authorities on these points.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, issued a Joint Statement on 30 May, which noted concern for the potential effect of the proposals on the large number of UK and Canadian citizens in Hong Kong, on business confidence and on Hong Kong’s international reputation. They made clear that any extradition arrangements in Hong Kong should be in line with ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and fully respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. They also urged the Hong Kong Government to engage meaningfully with Hong Kong’s broad range of local and international stakeholders in order to ensure their concerns are fully considered.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 14:18:08 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover