Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

383715

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Operation Blue Star
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 7 April 2014 (HL WA244), and the oral answer by the Earl of Courtown on 16 June (HL Deb, col 1077), why they consider the mass killing of Sikhs in India to be a matter for the government of India alone, and not an issue for the international community.
tabling member printed	Lord Singh of Wimbledon
uin	HL623
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2015 answer text <p>The events of June 1984 at Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar led to a tragic loss of life and remain a source of deep pain to Sikhs everywhere around the world. We recognise the deep scars that this event left and the incredibly strong feelings that exist to this day. Relations between the Sikhs in India and the Indian government is an internal matter between those two parties.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl of Courtown question first answered 02/07/2015 14:12:47 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4251 label Biography information for Lord Singh of Wimbledon

383723

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Azerbaijan: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
uin	HL631
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK is concerned about the shrinking space for civil society and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, including the selective application of the rule of law. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a number of statements expressing concern, most recently on 17 and 23 April 2015, following the sentencing of human rights defender, Rasul Jafarov, and human rights lawyer, Intigam Aliyev. We consistently raise our concerns both bilaterally and in international organisations such as the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe and the UN. Our Ambassador in Baku raised concerns about freedom of the media in a statement on 17 June about the opening ceremony of the European Games in Baku.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/06/2015 13:17:58 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

383724

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran
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 Iran concerning the case of Atena Farghadani.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
uin	HL632
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2015 answer text <p>We are concerned by the continuing detention of Ms Farghadani, apparently for drawing satirical cartoons and describing her ill-treatment in prison. Our non-resident Chargé d’affaires discussed freedom of expression in Iran when he met the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Director General for Human Rights in May 2015. We have not raised the detention of Ms Farghadani specifically.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 24/06/2015 15:53:45 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

383725

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
uin	HL633
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2015 answer text <p>We welcomed the early commitments by President Sirisena, and his new government, to make progress on human rights concerns in Sri Lanka. Since then there have been a number of positive steps taken, including the adoption of the 19th amendment to the constitution that restores the independence of key institutions; removal of restrictions on freedom of expression, with exiled journalists invited to return to the country and a number of banned websites unblocked; and, more democratic space with travel bans on foreign nationals visiting the North lifted and the Non-Governmental Organisations Secretariat moved from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs.</p><p>Challenges however remain, particularly over high military levels in the North and their involvement in civilian life and land occupation.</p><p> </p><p>The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will make an assessment of progress at the September UN Human Rights Council.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl of Courtown question first answered 02/07/2015 14:12:04 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

383726

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Eritrea
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of human rights conditions in Eritrea; and how that assessment has influenced their policy on migrant returns to Eritrea.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
uin	HL634
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2015 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Eritrea. There are serious shortcomings in the rule of law, reports of arbitrary detention, and limits on freedom of speech. While we acknowledge some limited progress made by the Eritrean government, including ratifying the Convention Against Torture in 2014 and the hosting of a visit by international human rights experts in January 2015, we continue to call on Eritrea to take concrete steps to implement the recommendations of the 2014 Universal Periodic Review and to fulfil its international obligations.</p><p> </p><p>We have been clear with the Eritrean government that the poor human rights situation is a driver of irregular migration, and the UK is committed to working with Eritrea on the issue. As with any country, decisions on migrant returns are made on a case-by-case basis in light of our international obligations and taking into account the latest available country information from a range of reliable sources. We only enforce removal when we and the courts conclude that it is safe to do so, with a safe route of return.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 25/06/2015 14:51:04 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3895 label Biography information for Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

383731

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Cambodia: Freedom of Association
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 Cambodia regarding the draft law on non-governmental organisations currently before the Cambodian Parliament, which restricts freedom of association.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
uin	HL639
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2015 answer text <p>We regularly raise human rights concerns with the government of Cambodia and encouraged them to carry out a full consultation before publishing the draft law on non-governmental organisations. EU Ambassadors have also made their views known to the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and our Ambassador in Phnom Penh called on the Council of Ministers’ Spokesman, who is tasked with managing the law’s passage. On 5 June, a joint letter from member states of the Community of Democracies Working Group on Enabling and Protecting Civil Society, and the Stand with Civil Society initiative, was handed to the Cambodian government. The letter called for a meaningful public consultation and urged the Cambodian government to ensure the legislation does not constrain basic freedoms of speech, association and peaceful assembly, in line with Cambodia’s international obligations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/06/2015 13:20:04 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3895 label Biography information for Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

383877

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Rohingya
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to encourage Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to (a) protect the human rights of Rohingyan refugees and (b) provide those refugees with asylum.
tabling member constituency	Bradford East
tabling member printed	Imran Hussain
uin	3153
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2015 answer text <p>In response to the humanitarian crisis at sea in South East Asia, I instructed our network of Embassies and High Commissions to lobby regional governments, including Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, urging them to uphold the international obligation of rescue at sea. We also tasked them to work together to tackle the smuggling and trafficking rings and address the underlying causes of irregular migration of people by sea, specifically raising the plight of the Rohingya. We welcomed the 20 May decision of the governments of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to provide humanitarian aid to those at sea, and the decision by Thailand to hold a regional coordination meeting on 28 May, which we attended as an observer. We also welcome the decision by the Association of South East Asian Nations to look into this issue further. <br><br>It is not for the UK to determine the asylum policy of other countries, but we encourage all States that have not done so to sign and ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention, and to adhere to its obligations.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 23/06/2015 13:49:41 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4394 label Biography information for Imran Hussain

383878

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Israel: Products
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on proposals to introduce EU sanctions on Israeli products.
tabling member constituency	Harrow East
tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
uin	3065
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2015 answer text <p>There are currently no EU proposals to introduce EU sanctions on Israeli products. We do not believe that imposing sanctions or boycotts on Israel would promote progress towards peace.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/06/2015 13:37:27 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

383879

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Buildings
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which buildings occupied by his Department are owned or part-owned privately; what the total value is of the rent paid to private landlords for the use of such buildings for official duties; and to whom such rent is paid.
tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
uin	3103
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2015 answer text <p>During 2014-15, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) paid the following rent for privately-owned buildings used for official duties:</p><p>In the UK, £1,764,940 on three buildings:</p><p>1 Carlton Gardens, London, SW1</p><p>Lancaster House, London, SW1</p><p>Part of Northgate House, Milton Keynes</p><p>Overseas, £30,457,809 was paid in rent and service charges on 262 office buildings and heads of posts' residences, plus ground rent on a further 72 buildings in the financial year 2014-15. Offices overseas accommodate not only FCO staff but also Government partners and wider public sector organisations (e.g. the National Crime Agency and the police). This figure also includes some payments in respect of ancillary land and buildings, e.g. car parks and storerooms. To break these figures down further would incur disproportionate costs.</p><p>Details of the private landlords have not been provided as this would be commercially sensitive.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 26/06/2015 10:55:10 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

383880

registered interest
date	18/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran: Nuclear Power
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the proposed permanent nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 would permit the IAEA to conduct anytime, anywhere inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities.
tabling member constituency	Enfield, Southgate
tabling member printed	Mr David Burrowes
uin	3058
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2015 answer text <p>A comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran must include robust monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities, and Iran’s implementation of its Additional Protocol which provides for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to nuclear facilities. Full implementation of the Additional Protocol under a comprehensive agreement is vital in order to reassure the international community that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran must include robust monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities, and Iran’s implementation of its Additional Protocol which provides for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to nuclear facilities. Full implementation of the Additional Protocol under a comprehensive agreement is vital in order to reassure the international community that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/06/2015 12:10:09 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1518 label Biography information for Mr David Burrowes