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 printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1228093

registered interest
date	28/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the decision to convert the Hagia Sofia into a mosque, and (2) the impact of that decision on marginalised religious minorities in Turkey and the Middle East; and what steps they are planning to take to ensure that the rights of religious minorities in the region are safeguarded.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7421
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern that President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to its global cultural and religious significance and Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities, which would be consistent with the Turkish constitution's provisions for freedom of conscience and religion for all. We strongly support all minority groups in Turkey and encourage the Turkish authorities to safeguard their welfare and respect their human rights.</p><p>The Government is firmly committed to protecting religious minorities in the Middle East region and providing assistance on the basis of need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. We believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate for respect among different religious and racial groups, is to encourage states to uphold their human rights obligations. The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 05/08/2020 14:41:50 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228106

registered interest
date	28/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Colombia: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of International Development, they plan to fund projects to help combat sexual violence in Colombia on a longer-term basis than the annual funding cycle has permitted to date.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7446
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. More broadly, the UK has led efforts to strengthen action on conflict-related sexual violence through UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mandates and Resolutions. In April 2019, we advocated and voted for UN Security Council Resolution 2467 on sexual violence in conflict. This specified the importance of a survivor-centric approach in response to conflict-related sexual violence, which is the approach that underpins our programme work in Colombia. The UK remains committed to providing support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict, and, as part of the FCO-DFID merger discussions, we will take the opportunity to review, refresh, and build on all existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL7447 question first answered 05/08/2020 14:33:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1228107

registered interest
date	28/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Colombia: Development Aid
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include greater involvement of survivors of sexual violence in the programme design of funded projects in Colombia.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. More broadly, the UK has led efforts to strengthen action on conflict-related sexual violence through UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mandates and Resolutions. In April 2019, we advocated and voted for UN Security Council Resolution 2467 on sexual violence in conflict. This specified the importance of a survivor-centric approach in response to conflict-related sexual violence, which is the approach that underpins our programme work in Colombia. The UK remains committed to providing support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict, and, as part of the FCO-DFID merger discussions, we will take the opportunity to review, refresh, and build on all existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL7446 question first answered 05/08/2020 14:33:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1228023

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Expenditure
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what are (1) the sources, and (2) the amounts, of funding received by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in the latest financial year for which figures are available; what steps they plan to take to ensure that funding is made available through that Foundation to promote democratic engagement in Hong Kong; what plans they to support through (1) that Foundation, and (2) other means, (a) the costs of the legal defence of pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong, and (b) where appropriate, the cost of their travel to seek refuge in the UK.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7315
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The Westminster Foundation for Democracy's (WFD) funding comes from a combination of grants provided by institutional donors, such as the DFID Accountable Grant, and the FCO. Details are set out in the WFD's Annual Report and Accounts, which can be found online. The UK remains fully committed to upholding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech and assembly which are guaranteed under the Joint Declaration and 'One Country, Two Systems' framework.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:15:26 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228024

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Directors
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that members of the board of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy are not compromised in that role by association with states whose governments (1) are undemocratic, and (2) fail to adhere to legally-binding international treaties to which they are party.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7316
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The Government already has measures in place to ensure that members of the board of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) are not compromised in the work that they do as board members. The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. WFD Board members must also abide by the terms and conditions set out in the FCO-WFD Framework Agreement, which includes the need to comply at all times with the Code of Conduct. They are asked to disclose any relevant interests on an annual basis and any conflicts of interest at each board meeting. Additionally, to ensure there are no conflicts of interest when appointing members to an arms-length body listed on the Public Appointments Order in Council, such as the WFD, all government departments must follow the processes set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 05/08/2020 14:25:23 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228025

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Hong Kong: Visas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether they have sufficient powers under the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa scheme to prevent the benefits of the scheme being enjoyed by individuals who have (1) participated in, (2) planned, or (3) encouraged, the perpetration of human rights abuses in Hong Kong.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The offer we have set out for British Nationals (Overseas), BN(O)s, is a special, bespoke, set of arrangements developed for the unique circumstances we face, and in light of our historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong.</p><p>The Home Secretary set out in Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa Policy Statement on 22 July. In line with the eligibility requirements for the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa, BN(O)s and their dependants will need to be able to demonstrate that they have no serious criminal convictions, have not otherwise engaged in behaviour which the UK Government deems not conducive to the public good, or be subject to other general grounds for refusal set out in the Immigration Rules.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:15:11 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228026

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Ahmadiyya: Oppression
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Suffering of the Faithful – the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims and the rise of international extremism, published on 20 July; and what steps they are taking to address the recommendations of that report.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7318
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/08/2020 answer text <p>Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon was pleased to attend the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's report on 20 July. We welcome the thrust of the report and are considering the recommendations made. The UK Government remains deeply concerned by reports of discrimination and violence against Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan and elsewhere. Most recently, Lord Ahmad raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 15 July. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan at senior levels to guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens, regardless of their belief.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 03/08/2020 14:48:07 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228043

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	International Cooperation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they, and international fora, have (1) to address climate change and pollution, and (2) to prevent violent conflict and communicable diseases.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL7364
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>Tackling climate change is a priority issue for the UK, which is why we bid to host COP 26 in partnership with Italy. We have committed to doubling the UK's International Climate Finance funding to at least £11.6 billion between 2021/22 and 2025/26. To ensure ambitious climate action across the world, the UK has around 180 diplomats engaged globally on climate issues, and the Climate and Energy Attaché Network expanded by 50 local staff in FY19/20 to help deliver COP26. The FCO has also recently appointed four Regional Ambassadors to support global engagement.</p><p>The UK takes a holistic, coordinated approach to preventing violent conflict bilaterally and in international fora. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK takes its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and the prevention of violent conflict seriously and is active in preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping. In addition to ongoing defence, diplomatic and development engagement in key fragile and conflict affected areas, we are monitoring the increased risks as a result of Covid-19.</p><p>The Prime Minister hosted the Global Vaccine Summit on 4 June, raising $8.8 billion to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's work to immunise a further 300 million children and save up to 8 million lives from vaccine preventable diseases by 2025. In June 2019 the UK pledged up to £1.4 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria for 2020-22 to contribute to the distribution of 92 million mosquito nets, treat over 2 million people suffering from TB and provide life-saving anti-retroviral therapy for more than 3.3 million people with HIV. In 2019, the UK announced a £400m commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to continue efforts towards eradicating the disease. The UK Government will continue to work with all our international partners in global efforts against communicable diseases.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:14:42 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1228065

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Israel: Palestinians
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 using the Royal Navy to protect Palestinian fishermen from attacks by the Israeli Navy.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL7404
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>HMG have not made an assessment on using the Royal Navy in this way.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:16:40 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1228066

registered interest
date	27/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Palestinians: Archaeological Sites
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 providing protection for archaeological artefacts in Palestine to ensure that any such artefacts remain under Palestinian ownership.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL7405
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK acknowledges the importance of protecting archaeological artefacts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In our meetings with the Israeli authorities we regularly raise the need to respect the status quo of the holy sites in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. We continue to urge the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to avoid actions that make it more difficult to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:45:06 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge