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1171773

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	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 dozens of Syrian Islamist mercenaries loyal to Turkey have recently travelled to Libya and Algeria, and that some have then successfully entered Europe.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL535
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​We are aware of reports of foreign combatants travelling from Syria to engage in armed conflict in Libya. We are not able to confirm that any of these fighters have travelled to Algeria or Europe.</p><p>The UK continues to press all the parties in Libya to support the current ceasefire and engage in the UN-led political process, in line with the conclusions of the Berlin conference on Libya on 19 January.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 14:00:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1171797

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	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 safety of British nationals and diplomatic representatives in Iran.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Eaton
	uin	HL559
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​The safety and security of British nationals and our staff is of paramount importance and we keep our security posture under regular review. We have strengthened the travel advice to Iran and will keep it under constant review.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 14:02:03 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4184 label Biography information for Baroness Eaton

1171810

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to undertake, and report on, an investigation into the government of Russia's alleged (1) use of poisoning and assassination, (2) media manipulation, (3) abuse of Interpol procedures, and (4) efforts to undermine international law and institutions in ways that are harmful to UK security.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL572
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>We continue to challenge Russia's malign activity and abuse of the international rules-based system and remain at the forefront of those opposing that abuse.</p><p>In response to the attack in Salisbury, together with our allies, we coordinated the largest ever collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers, fundamentally degrading Russian intelligence capability for years to come. We also challenge Russia's actions in Ukraine, in Syria, the Western Balkans and in cyber space. The United Kingdom is committed to playing a leading role in continuing sanctions against Russia. Sanctions are one of a range of measures we have taken, in concert with others, to defend our security and enhance our capabilities against Russia's malign activity.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:55:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1171814

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any (1) advantages, and (2) disadvantages, that are likely to be experienced by each of the Overseas Territories after the UK’s departure from the EU.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
	uin	HL576
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government is working closely with the leaders of all the Overseas Territories (OTs) on matters relating to Brexit. After we leave the European Union, the UK will negotiate the future relationship with the EU on behalf of the whole UK family, including the OTs.</p><p>The Government has been addressing concerns over funding and citizens' rights for all OTs. Most non-European OTs, save the Falkland Islands and Tristan da Cunha, have little substantive trade with the EU.</p><p>Brexit represents an opportunity to pursue the OTs' interests in the UK's new, independent trade policy, including seeking improved market access around the world for OT-originating goods and services. Officials are in discussions with OT Representatives about their specific interests in particular markets.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/01/2020 15:16:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

1171827

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports that Palestinian child prisoners were relocated to a prison in Israel without the presence of adult representatives on 13 January, in contravention of international law.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL589
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>We remain concerned by the continued transfer of Palestinian child and adult detainees to prisons inside Israel in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. We continue to make representations to the Israeli authorities outlining our concerns around Israel's treatment of Palestinian children in detention. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv did so most recently on 16 December 2019. We remain committed to working with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding children in detention. We welcome the recent reduction in the number of detainees aged 12 to 14 years old and the establishment of separate juvenile courts.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:56:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1171828

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about that government designating the killing of a Palestinian woman as an act of terrorism perpetrated by Israeli settlers but not allowing that woman's family the compensation that is paid to victims of terrorism.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL590
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​Whilst we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we condemn any incidence of violence by settlers against Palestinians and urge the Israeli authorities to thoroughly investigate every instance and bring those responsible to justice. We have also stressed the importance of Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:56:55 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1171829

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports that unarmed men leaving Gaza through gaps in the separation fence to seek work in Israel have been shot at with live and rubber ammunition.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL591
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>We have repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the way Israel Defense Forces police protests and the border areas, including the use of live ammunition. We did so most recently at the UN Security Council briefing and consultations on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 November. We call on Israel to adhere to the principles of necessity and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interest.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:57:21 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1172392

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the governments of (1) Israel, and (2) the United States, in relation to proposals by the US that the Golan Heights should be annexed by Israel.
	tabling member printed	Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
	uin	HL616
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​We have been clear to both our Israeli and US counterparts that the UK views the Golan Heights as territory occupied by Israel. The UK did not recognise Israel's annexation in 1981 and we have no plans to change our position. On 26 March 2019, following the US Presidential Proclamation recognising that the Golan Heights are part of the State of Israel, we reiterated our firm position on this matter at a meeting of the UN Security Council. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law. Any declaration of a unilateral border change goes against the foundation of the rules-based international order and the UN Charter.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:58:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	627 label Biography information for Lord Campbell of Pittenweem

1172417

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean to help them diversify from sugar production.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL641
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>Each of the UK's Caribbean Overseas Territories has its own unique constitution setting out the responsibilities of the local government and the UK Government. The UK supports the economic diversification of the OTs, recognising that it is for the Governments of the OTs to determine policies to support their economies.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/01/2020 15:16:48 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1172418

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Equatorial Guinea concerning the detention of Joaquin Elo Ayeto.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>​The UK remains concerned by the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea and reports of arbitrary detention. We have no diplomatic mission or resident diplomatic staff in Equatorial Guinea. We use regular visits by our non-resident Ambassador (based in Cameroon) and discussions with the Chargé in London to raise human rights concerns. The British Ambassador raised human rights during his most recent visit in January.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 28/01/2020 12:33:07 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1172419

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Rwanda concerning the detention of Jackie Umuhoza.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL643
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned by Jackie Umuhoza's continued detention without charge and urge the Government of Rwanda to abide by its international human rights obligations and international norms on arrest and detention. The Prime Minister raised human rights and the importance of adhering to Commonwealth values when he met President Kagame during the UK-Africa Investment Summit on 20 January. The British High Commission in Kigali regularly raises human rights concerns with the Government of Rwanda.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 14:00:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1172434

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to government of Israel about the reported imprisonment and torture of (1) Mays Abu Gosh, and (2) Samir Arbid, in Israeli custody.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL658
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​While we are aware of the cases of Samir Arbid and Mays Abu Gosh, we have not made representations to the government of Israel about these specific cases. The British Government has concerns about mistreatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, and about Israel's respect for its obligations as an occupying power, under applicable international law. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have raised the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 16 December. We emphasise the importance of treating prisoners and detainees humanely and in accordance with international law.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:57:37 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1172435

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2020
	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
	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 (1) use of, and (2) amount of land covered by, military firing zones in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the eviction and criminalisation of long standing residents who live in those areas.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL659
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​We continue to be gravely concerned by the impact of military firing zones in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; call into question Israel's commitment to a viable two-state solution; and, in all but the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concern at the increase in demolitions of Palestinian properties in Area C of the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, most recently on 17 December 2019. The UK and international partners will continue to call bilaterally, and in international fora, for Israel to abandon demolition plans entirely, and instead provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:57:58 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1172736

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the (1) killing of Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram, and (2) bringing to justice those responsible for his death.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL667
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>The UK is appalled by the reported execution of Reverend Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram. The Minister for Africa tweeted his condolences on 21 January and echoed President Buhari's condemnation of this senseless killing. While we have not made representations to the Government of Nigeria about this specific incident, we regularly engage the Government on tackling the terrorist threat in North East Nigeria. Most recently, the Prime Minister raised his concerns about increasing levels of violence in North East Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK-Africa Investment Summit on 20 January. To help communities in the North East, the UK is providing £300 million of humanitarian support over 5 years (2018 -2022).</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:59:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1172759

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of conditions in detention centres in or near Tripoli, in particular in terms of (1) food, (2) water, and (3) hygiene; and what representations they have made to the government of Libya to improve conditions in such detention centres.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL690
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>The UK remains deeply concerned by the conditions faced by migrants and refugees in Libyan detention centres. We continue to urge the Libyan authorities to pursue alternatives to detention and implement a better functioning migration system that respects human rights. The UK supports the UN's call for detention centres across Libya to be closed, and for the migrants and refugees within them to be evacuated to safety.</p><p>We have repeatedly called for urgent humanitarian access for the UN and international humanitarian actors, and for all parties to adhere to International Humanitarian Law. The UK provided £1 million to the 2019 UN Flash Appeal, and was the first country to respond to the appeal. In April 2019, the UN released $2 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide life-saving assistance to civilians caught up in the escalating fighting in Libya, including vulnerable migrants and refugees. The UK was the biggest donor to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2018, providing £<del class="ministerial">114.3</del> <ins class="ministerial">89 </ins>million. As part of our current £75 million migration programme along the Central Mediterranean Route, we have allocated up to £5 million to humanitarian assistance and protection for migrants and refugees in Libya, including targeted healthcare provision.</p><p>These efforts form part of the UK's comprehensive, 'whole-of-route' approach to protecting migrants and refugees who are travelling along the Central Mediterranean Route. This includes humanitarian assistance and protection for migrants and refugees, cracking down on people smuggling, supporting assisted voluntary returns and working intensively to end the conflict in Libya. To this end, the Prime Minister attended the Berlin Conference on 19 January, where attendees agreed to support the current ceasefire and UN-led political talks, and pledged to respect the UN arms embargo. The UK is clear that the human rights situation in Libya can only be improved under the stability of a united and representative government, facilitated by the UN-led political process.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:56:09 question first ministerially corrected 12/02/2020 17:45:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 3545 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1172794

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 20 January (HL Deb, col 916) that the situation in Kashmir “needs to be resolved bilaterally”, what assessment they have made of the possibility of mediating between the governments of India and Kashmir in order to implement the recommendations made in the report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Update of the Situation of Human Rights in Indian-Administered Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir from May 2018 to April 2019.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Thornhill
	uin	HL725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>Our longstanding position 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. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or act as a mediator. Any external mediation on Kashmir would need to be jointly agreed by India and Pakistan. We recognise that there are human rights concerns in India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir and have noted the recommendations in the OHCHR report for the authorities in India, the Government of Pakistan, and the Human Rights Council. Any allegation of human rights violations or abuses are deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:59:05 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4558 label Biography information for Baroness Thornhill

45742

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the independence of the judiciary in Egypt.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL6391
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2014 answer text <p>The new Egyptian constitution, adopted in January 2014, states that the judicial system is independent, and allows the judiciary its own budget, and to appoint the Prosecutor General and members of the Supreme Constitutional Court. We do however have some concerns over recent judicial decisions, including the sentencing to death of 529 people in Minya on 24 March. Reports that many of the defendants were tried in their absence and may not have been represented properly are deeply troubling. We have been urging the Egyptian authorities to ensure that the rights of defendants are fully respected in all cases.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 23/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

45774

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what current plans they have to enhance stability and democracy in Bosnia Herzegovina.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Dundee
	uin	HL6423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2014 answer text <p>The United Kingdom continues to be deeply committed to enhancing stability and democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The UK is a strong supporter of European Union Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea's maintenance of the safe and secure environment in BiH, and is proud of its contributions in theatre, and through a reserve company, 1 Scots. Our support for BiH's policing has led to our contributing to establishing a trilateral Police Cooperation Centre (PCC) in Trebinje, resulting in more efficient and effective actions being taken between law enforcement agencies in the region. UK Ministers and officials have made clear to BiH's leaders their responsibility for ensuring that their public rhetoric is not inflammatory or ethnically divisive. <br><br>Following the recent protests, we have made clear to BiH's leaders that they need to respond to the population's legitimate desire for change, most recently when the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met the BiH Presidency and Foreign Minister on 27 March. During his recent visit the Foreign Secretary met representatives of civil society and plenums and expressed our support to widen the political space in BiH so as to allow citizens to hold politicians to account. <br><br>Part of our work to widen the political space is the recent British BiH Fellowship Programme. A one-month residential programme in the UK designed to equip BiH's future leaders with the skills and experience to lead positive change in their country. <br><br>The Foreign Secretary also announced continuing UK assistance for BiH's path towards EU membership, in the form of new funding to foster democratic governance in Bosnia by strengthening the judiciary, civil society organisations, governance and supporting BiH's EU accession process. Specific examples include political and financial support focused on strengthening the State Court and State Prosecutor's Office, which will improve the operation of Rule of Law systems in BiH. <br><br>In addition, the UK supports the activities of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), whose work in BiH has focused on equipping local non-governmental organisations with the skills they need to provide effective evidence for parliamentary committees. WFD has done valuable work with BiH's Parliament to raise awareness of the value of such committees. This has influenced positively the formation of legislation, and opened up the process of law-making to public scrutiny, while promoting citizen participation in the democratic process.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 23/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2735 label Biography information for The Earl of Dundee

45775

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 Plenum movement within Bosnia Herzegovina in providing a constructive and peaceful catalyst towards constitutional reform.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Dundee
	uin	HL6424
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The protests and plenums are focussing primarily on socio-economic issues, demonstrating the frustration of the population with Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) leaders' failure to implement reforms on issues which matter most to ordinary Bosnians. The UK views these grievances as being rooted in a wider frustration with the functionality of the state, and as indicative of a broader malaise within BiH, which includes the Constitution. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), visited BiH on 27-28 March, and emphasised to BiH's leadership the importance of their engaging fully with the population's legitimate calls for change, which will include broader reforms. The UK has made clear, bilaterally and within the EU, that it stands ready to assist BiH's leaders in implementing a wide range of changes, should BiH's leaders demonstrate their commitment to engage fully with protesters, and summon the political will to make reforms.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2735 label Biography information for The Earl of Dundee

45777

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 case for international intervention or guidance to assist the efforts of the Plenum movement to reduce corruption and financial irregularities in Bosnia Herzegovina.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Dundee
	uin	HL6426
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The recent protests and work of the plenums are evidence of Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) political stalemate and economic malaise. We are making clear to BiH's leaders that the onus is on them to respond to the socio-economic grievances expressed by protesters and the plenums, most recently in the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague)'s meetings with the Presidency and the Foreign Minister on 27 and 28 March. We see an opportunity also for the international community, particularly the EU, to support reform ahead of October's elections. This includes assistance through new initiatives on economic reform and anti-corruption announced by EU Commissioner Fule, and the EU Special Representative's planned ‘Compact for Growth'. We support these efforts to develop and build popular support for concrete reforms in economic governance, transparency and anti-corruption.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2735 label Biography information for The Earl of Dundee

45834

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with Mahmoud Abbas on continuing the negotiations with Israel for a two-state solution.
	tabling member printed	Lord Turnberg
	uin	HL6438
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The Government is having regular discussions about the current peace talks with the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), most recently had a discussion on 3 April with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the peace process. The Foreign Secretary met with the Israeli Minister for Intelligence, International Relations and Strategic Affairs, Yuval Steinitz on 8 April where they discussed the latest in the peace process.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2537 label Biography information for Lord Turnberg

46393

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 of an attack on 21 March on Kessab in northern Syria; whether they have made any estimate of the number of those killed in the attack and of those who have fled the town as a result; whether they have received any reports about the desecration of churches in the town; and what assessment they have made of the possible involvement of the Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham in the attack.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>We are concerned by the reports of violence in Kessab, although it is impossible to establish an accurate figure of the numbers of people who have been killed or displaced. We believe that the majority of the ethnic Armenian population of the town has left, along with many other Syrians, because of the fighting in the area. We have not received any confirmed reports of churches being desecrated and we call for all places of worship to be respected. We understand that a range of groups has been involved in the fighting, including the Al-Nusrah Front. We urge all sides to the conflict in Syria to respect international humanitarian law and the rights of all Syrians. Both the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Syrian Army have repeatedly made clear their commitment to protecting all civilians, regardless of religious, ethnic and political affiliation.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46394

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 Marching to Genocide in Burma; and what, if any, action they intend to take in response.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We share many of the concerns that United to End Genocide raise in their recent report on the plight of the Rohingya. We continue to press the Burmese government to find a long term solution to bring peace and reconciliation to the communities in Rakhine State. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), summoned the Burmese Ambassador on 7 April and called on the Burmese government urgently to restore humanitarian access to all communities in need, and to ensure the security of humanitarian aid workers and all communities in Rakhine State. Mr Swire raised our wider concerns about the situation in Rakhine State with senior Burmese Ministers during his visit in January. I personally discussed the situation with Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, Dr Kan Zaw, during his visit to the UK in March.</p><p>We remain in close contact with Médecins Sans Frontières and have made clear to the Burmese government their responsibility to ensure services are adequately delivered. We continue to maintain that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with immediately through a clear and transparent investigative and prosecutorial process that meets international standards.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46411

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 statement on 19 March by the President of Turkey that the internal peace process should be completed, by giving democratic rights and equal citizenship to the Kurdish people together with freedom for the press and other media.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We welcome the comments made by President Gül regarding the Kurdish population in Turkey, which we assess as an important reaffirmation of the Turkish government's commitment to finding a sustainable solution to the Kurdish issue.</p><p>We have been encouraged by the efforts on both sides to reach a solution and welcome the continuing ceasefire, as well as the President Gül's approval of the democratisation package in March.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

46428

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of President Obama's statement on 26 March that "Kosovo only left Serbia after a referendum was organised".
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL6525
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>The point that President Obama was making is that the situations in Crimea and Kosovo are not comparable. Kosovo's independence followed a humanitarian crisis, nearly nine years of UN administration, and the failure of a long period of inclusive, internationally sponsored negotiations on Kosovo's final status. Kosovo thus declared independence only after other options were exhausted, and by the decision of a parliament that had been assembled through a free and fair vote conducted under UN supervision. None of these conditions apply in Crimea.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

46655

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning Palestinian deaths since the beginning of the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6533
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We have made frequent representations to the Israeli authorities about Israel Defence Forces' use of live fire and appropriate force in both Gaza and the West Bank. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised this issue with the Israeli Defence Force on 11 March.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46656

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they plan to take to protect the property rights and security of Palestinians if peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are extended.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6534
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>I refer the noble Baroness, Lady Tonge to the answer I gave her on 21 November 2013 (Official Report, column WA233).</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46657

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 potential of extended peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to effect change in Israel's control of East Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6535
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>The Government fully supports the peace talks which we hope will lead to a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46658

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and its impact on the region; and what action they plan to take to reverse that influence.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6536
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>The Government continues to analyse the full range of political and militant actors in Gaza, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad. We have noted with concern Islamic Jihad's growing involvement in attacks against Israel in 2014. We have called for the full implementation of the ceasefire of November 2012 between Palestinian militant factions and Israel.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46659

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in relation to tensions between North and South Korea following North Korea's artillery shelling and detonation near the border between those countries.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	uin	HL6537
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>On 31 March 2014, during a pre-planned and pre-advised live-fire exercise, a small number of artillery shells from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea landed in waters south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea. The Republic of Korea military responded with its own artillery fire into waters on the northern side of the NLL. There were no reported casualties.</p><p>We have been monitoring the situation closely and are in contact with international partners. The situation is currently calmer but tensions remain high. In a Written Ministerial Statement on 31 March, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), urged both sides to exercise restraint and not to retaliate further.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

46668

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of North Korea's launch of two mid-range missiles, its statement that it "would not rule out a new form of nuclear test for bolstering up its nuclear deterrence" and China's decision to support the United Nations Security Council's condemnation of those developments.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6546
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We are extremely concerned that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has fired two medium range missiles into the Sea of Japan, in a further clear breach of UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1718, 1874, 2087 and 2094. We are also concerned by the DPRK's statement implying that they are considering further missile or nuclear tests.</p><p>We urge the DPRK to comply with all of its obligations under relevant UNSCRs and to refrain from any further provocations that would only further destabilise the peninsula.</p><p>We welcome China's support in in the UN Security Council condemning North Korean provocations, and we encourage all countries to call on the DPRK to abide by its international obligations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46669

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 officials in the North Korean Workers' Party who were associated with Jang Song-thaek have been sentenced to death; and what recent representations the United Kingdom Ambassador to North Korea has made to the authorities there about the use of capital punishment, torture and political prison camps.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6547
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We are aware of media reports that 200 Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) government officials believed to be close Jang Song-thaek, who was executed in December 2013, have been sentenced to death. Personnel changes within various organisations suggest the purge of those related to Jang Song-thaek is continuing. However, the lack of transparency means we are unable to confirm what has happened to those who have been removed from their positions. The UK is appalled but not unsurprised by reports of executions in DPRK. During meetings with DPRK authorities we regularly raise concerns about the horrific human rights situation. Our Ambassador in Pyongyang raised these concerns during a meeting with a Vice-Minister from the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January and we have raised them with other officials in March.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46670

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United Kingdom Ambassador to North Korea has raised with the authorities there the terms of the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/25/L.17) condemning "long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations in North Korea; and whether they have made representations to those countries which abstained or voted against the Resolution to give further thought to the findings of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry and to encourage support for the work of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6548
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We regularly raise concerns about the appalling human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic <br>of Korea (DPRK) during our meetings with the DPRK authorities. We have raised the Commission of Inquiry report and will be raising the UN Human Rights Council Resolution (UNHRC) in our next meetings. The UK played a key role in ensuring a strong Resolution and will continue to work with partners to ensure the matter remains in the spotlight. It is unfortunate that some UNHRC members chose to either abstain or vote against the Resolution and, as we made clear in the UK statement at the time of the vote, we consider that doing so was a failure in their responsibility to help resolve the crisis and improve the lives of the North Korean people. Nevertheless, the resolution was passed with a significant majority and provides a solid platform for ongoing work in this area, not least through increased support for the Special Rapporteur. We are pleased that it includes a provision encouraging all states who have relations with the DPRK to use their influence to encourage the DPRK to take immediate steps to end all human rights violations. In our bilateral contacts with these states we will be encouraging them to act in accordance with this provision.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46671

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the passage of Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/25/L.17) on human rights violations in North Korea, what assessment they have made of the suggestion by Amnesty International to increase pressure on North Korea; and whether they are taking any action along such lines.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6549
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK played a leading role in ensuring a strong UN Human Rights Council Resolution and will continue to work with partners to ensure the issue remains in the spotlight. We agree with the view expressed by Amnesty International that the message sent to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) authorities by the resolution could not be clearer. As both Amnesty International and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have said, crimes against humanity will not be tolerated and those responsible must face justice. As the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), outlined in his Written Ministerial Statement of 31 March, we welcome the final text of the resolution which includes a specific request that the UN Security Council consider referral of the situation in the DPRK to the appropriate international criminal justice mechanism. As a first step, the Commission of Inquiry will give an informal “Arria” briefing to the Security Council on 17 April. Other elements of the resolution which reflect earlier calls from Amnesty International include concrete measures to ensure the work of the Commission of Inquiry is continued. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur has been extended and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is requested to provide the Rapporteur with increased support, not least through a new structure to strengthen monitoring and documentation of the human rights situation in the DPRK, as well as through capacity building of others working to address this issue. These measures will ensure that whenever and however the DPRK regime is brought to account, the material will be there to build a strong case against those responsible for violations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46672

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with the United States Special Envoy on North Korea, Ambassador Robert King, about ways to build international action to follow through the passage of United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/25/L.17) on human rights violations in North Korea.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6550
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva met with Ambassador King on 18 March to discuss the UN Human Rights Council Resolution and how it could be used to build international action to improve the human rights situation in North Korea. In the near future we hope to welcome him.</p><p>On 27 March, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), discussed the resolution with US Assistant Secretary Russel. We will continue to work with the US and others to ensure that there is accountability for the horrifying human rights violations documented in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46975

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning the reported armed ambush and killing of Yusef a-Shawamreh in the West Bank in March.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6583
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>The Government has not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities over this specific case. We have, however, raised our concerns over the increasing number of deaths of Palestinians by the Israel Defence Forces.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46976

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning recent reports of violence and racist graffiti by settlers in the village of Kifl Haris, during a religious ceremony.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>An official from our Embassy in Tel Aviv last raised our concerns over settler attacks with the Israeli National Security Council in early March.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46977

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to preserve Palestinians' rights to worship at their own holy sites within Jerusalem.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6585
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We regularly urge the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law as an occupying power in East Jerusalem, including with regard to the protection of holy sites. We will continue to raise with the Israeli authorities our concerns over restrictions on movement and access and the Separation Barrier that limits access for Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza to holy sites in Jerusalem.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

46992

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the reasons the government of Spain has given for sending warships and other state vessels into territorial waters around Gibraltar.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL6600
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>Our assessment is that unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish State vessels are a futile attempt to assert Spain's legal position in respect of the waters. Incursions are a violation of sovereignty, not a threat to it. They do not weaken or undermine the legal basis in international law for British sovereignty over Gibraltar, including British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

47003

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any countries have outstanding applications for membership of the European Union and which they are; how many countries having applied are pending recognition that they have reached the level of compliance required under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union; and whether any precedence will be given to applicants based on the date when they are recognised as having reached the compliance criteria.
	tabling member printed	The Duke of Montrose
	uin	HL6611
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>Five countries currently have the status of a ‘candidate' for membership of the EU. Of these, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey are currently in accession negotiations. Iceland has suspended its accession negotiations. Macedonia is a candidate country but has not yet opened accession negotiations. Negotiations are opened on the basis that countries have achieved a high degree of compliance with the membership criteria, including respect for the values referred to in Article 2 Treaty on EU (TEU).</p><p>Albania has also submitted an application for EU membership. It did this in 2009. The Council is considering Albania's application in light of assessments prepared by the Commission.</p><p>Each aspiring country's progress towards the European Union depends on its individual efforts to comply fully with the Copenhagen criteria for accession and broader enlargement conditionality. No precedence is given to applicants based on the date they have been recognised as having reached the criteria for opening accession negotiations.</p><p>The UK continues to be a strong supporter of enlargement based on firm-but-fair conditionality. Countries should proceed strictly on merit, with full adherence to the necessary conditionality before accession.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	1922 label Biography information for The Duke of Montrose

47391

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that anti-balaka forces from the Central African Republic have attacked villages in Northern Cameroon.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL6623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>UK officials and their Cameroon counterparts hold regular discussions on the Central African Republic (CAR), including the impact of cross-border violence and refugees. We both agree that the international community's top priority is to protect civilians and stop the violence; this is in the best interests of both CAR and the region as a whole including Cameroon. We therefore welcome the continued efforts of African Union and French forces in CAR, and welcome the imminent deployment of European troops to provide further assistance.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

47399

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their evaluation of the situation in Venezuela as regards the rule of law, freedom of speech and the protection of human rights.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lester of Herne Hill
	uin	HL6631
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2014 answer text <p>Anti-government protests have been taking place in Caracas and other cities in Venezuela since early February. Around 40 people have died, and over 500 injured. About half the victims are anti-government protestors and the rest pro-government supporters, security forces and bystanders. More than 2,000 people have been detained in relation to the protests, although most have been released on parole. <br><br>We are concerned by reports of excessive use of force in protests, and reports of armed groups using violence. We condemn all acts of violence and call on all sides to show restraint. It is important that the Venezuelan government respects the right to protest peacefully and freedom of speech, and ensures that those detained are afforded due process. We have called for all sides to avoid confrontation, reduce tensions and to create the right conditions for genuine dialogue to take place. <br><br>The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), has written to the Venezuelan government emphasising the importance of respecting peaceful protest and the importance of dialogue taking place between the parties. He has offered the UK's assistance in the reconciliation process and asked to speak to his Venezuelan opposite number. Our Embassy in Caracas urges peaceful dialogue through its contacts with a range of actors in Venezuelan society.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 23/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2037 label Biography information for Lord Lester of Herne Hill

47400

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what were their reasons for intervening in proceedings in the United States Supreme Court regarding alleged liability by Shell and Rio Tinto for abuses of human rights in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea; and whether those companies requested Her Majesty's Government to intervene on their behalf.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lester of Herne Hill
	uin	HL6632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK intervened in both these cases (Kiobel vs Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum and Rio Tinto v Sarei) to clarify our position on the proper limits of the extraterritorial application of US law. The amicus brief submitted by the UK was confined to our views on this point of international law, and did not take a position on the allegations made against the defendants in this case. The views expressed were consistent with long-standing UK policy.</p><p>The UK strongly supports the promotion of business and human rights and was the first country to produce a National Action Plan to implement the UN Guiding Principles. We have consistently made clear that we expect British companies to act in accordance with human rights wherever they operate, and that companies should not be able to act with impunity. States should enact domestic law to regulate the activity of businesses to ensure that they do not have a negative impact on human rights. We believe it appropriate and desirable for a State to provide remedies for human rights victims where human rights abuses are committed by their nationals (including corporate nationals) overseas.</p><p>Rio Tinto wrote to the British Government in November 2011 requesting that the Government intervene in their case in view of our stance on extraterritoriality. After considering the points of law that the case raised, we considered that submitting a brief would be appropriate. The Shell case was brought to our attention by a third party and again we objected because there was little, or no, connection between the corporate defendant and the US. Officials discussed the case with the company after we had made the decision to intervene. The Government initially submitted a brief in support of Shell in the Kiobel vs Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum case because we were not advised that a neutral brief was a possibility. As soon as we became aware, we replaced our original brief with a neutral brief, as the best way of representing our wider legal concerns without taking a position on the specific allegations in this case.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	2037 label Biography information for Lord Lester of Herne Hill

47408

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	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 recruitment of child soldiers by the government of Chad; whether they have raised concerns about the presence of Chadian soldiers in the Central African Republic; and whether they are part of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6640
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised concerns about the conduct of Chadian troops in Central African Republic with Chad President Iddris Deby Itno when they met on 13 February. The Government take any allegations of wrongdoing by national armies very seriously.</p><p>Chad is making progress to tackle the issue of child soldiers in close cooperation with the UN, although there is still work to be done, particularly on birth registration and recruitment processes. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), pressed the Chad Foreign Minister, Moussa Faki, for further progress when they met on 28 January at the African Union (AU) summit and 2 April at the EU-Africa Summit.</p><p>Chad has announced that it is withdrawing its troops from the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) in agreement with the AU. The UK is not part of MISCA, but has provided £2million to MISCA to cover some essential MISCA costs including food, fuel and water. The UK is also providing logistical support to French and EU deployments and £23 million in humanitarian aid to the ongoing crisis.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47409

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that the holding of elections in the Central African Republic on 15 February 2015 will support the development of good governance; what assessment they have made of the impact such elections will have on disenfranchised Muslim refugees who have fled the country and are in refugee camps beyond its borders; and whether they have made representations about the inclusion of Central African Republic citizens in the election process.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6641
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Preparations for elections, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), discussed with the Head of the Central African Republic (CAR)'s Transitional Government, Catherine Samba-Panza, on 2 April, are at a very early stage. The primary focus of the international community is to stabilise CAR and protect its civilians. However, progress on the political front, including through the establishment of a strong, democratic government that represents its whole population, will be vital if long-term peace and security are to be achieved in CAR.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47410

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	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 of the kidnapping of two Italian priests and a Canadian nun by unidentified gunmen in the Maroua district of Cameroon, and of the identity of the perpetrators; and what information they have of the spread of Boko Haram's influence and activity in Cameroon.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>We are very concerned about kidnappings in Cameroon, which follow two similar incidents in 2013. We are aware of the growing evidence of Boko Haram having a presence in Cameroon, and discuss this regularly with the Government of Cameroon and other partners in the region. Our Travel Advice reflects the threat from kidnapping in Cameroon and other countries in the region. We have advised against all travel to the Far North Province of Cameroon since March 2013.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47411

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	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 of the removal of crosses from churches in the province of Zhejiang including the cities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan; when they last raised the issue of religious freedom and, in particular, the detention and imprisonment of the Bishop of Shanghai, with the government of China; and what response they received.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6643
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We have concerns about restrictions on freedom of religious belief in China, and raise them regularly with Chinese counterparts. We are aware of particular cases such as that of Bishop Ma Deqin, who is reportedly being kept under house arrest at the Sheshan seminary in Shanghai, and raise them publicly through our Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47415

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	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 extent to which sexualviolence has been used by all parties to theconflict in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Worcester
	uin	HL6647
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Reports suggest that sexual violence in conflict is widespread in the Central African Republic (CAR). UN Security Council Resolution 2149 on CAR authorises a UN Peacekeeping Operation which will, as part of its mandate, be required to help to prevent sexual violence, and contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators. The UK is also looking to provide funding to the African Union (AU)'s response to the urgent needs of CAR's victims of sexual violence, and to track and report on specific occurrences of sexual violence. We encourage CAR to endorse the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict and to attend the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, in London in June 2014.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4257 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Worcester

47416

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to deploying experts from their Stabilisation Unit to theCentral African Republic to enhance the capacity of institutions and communities in that country to support the survivors of sexual violence in conflictand to end impunity for perpetrators.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Worcester
	uin	HL6648
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Stabilisation Unit is looking for opportunities to share its expertise and has been asked to provide a strategic communications expert to the African Union (AU) to support the efforts of the AU led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (CAR). The UK is also looking to give support to the AU's response to the urgent needs of CAR's victims of sexual violence, and to track and report on specific occurrences of sexual violence.</p><p>UN Security Council Resolution on CAR 2149 authorises a UN Peacekeeping Operation which will, as part of its mandate, be required to help prevent sexual violence, and contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4257 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Worcester

47418

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to propose a European Union working-party to discuss and make proposals for assisting Bosnia-Herzegovina to draw up an appropriate constitution that would make possible the ending of various forms of international supervision.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6650
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2014 answer text <p>The challenges that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) faces are regularly discussed in the EU working group on the western Balkans. However these discussions have not focussed on constitutional change. The UK fully supports BiH's aspiration to join the EU but they must meet the conditions. We continue to call on BiH's leaders to make the necessary decisions to progress on the EU accession path, namely through aligning their Constitution with the European Court of Human Rights' judgement in the Sejdic-Finci case. The onus is on BiH's leaders to work collectively to resolve the issue. <br><br>Until real progress is made, the international community must remain closely engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK fully supports the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the European Union Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea and their work to ensure implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Closure of the OHR will occur once the BiH authorities have met the agreed five objectives and fulfilled the agreed two conditions. Disagreement among the main political parties has prevented the agenda's full implementation. The UK is committed to EUFOR's maintenance of a safe and secure environment in BiH, and is proud of its own contributions, including through a reserve company, 1 Scots. Recent protests have demonstrated the fragility of the security situation in BiH. Therefore, it is vital that EUFOR continues to be able to fulfil its role in country. The UK will continue to support EUFOR's presence in BiH until conditions on the ground change sufficiently to merit its withdrawal.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 23/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton