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1138060

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Somalia: Weapons
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government is providing to the Somali Government to counter the proliferation of weapons within Somalia and prevent access to weapons by terrorists.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	275714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK plays a leading role in upholding and strengthening the UN Somalia sanctions regime in our capacity as drafters for all UN Security Council Resolutions on Somalia. The sanctions regime is central to international efforts to promote peace and security in Somalia, including through addressing the threat of Al-Shabaab. The regime includes an arms embargo with certain exemptions for humanitarian protection, the African Union Mission in Somalia, and the development of the Somali security forces. Within these exemptions, safeguards are in place to manage proliferation of arms. Our Embassy in Mogadishu regularly engages with the Somali authorities on the importance of compliance with the regime and to support the development of effective weapons and ammunition management. More broadly, the UK has an extensive programme of support to security sector reform in Somalia, helping Somalia take responsibility for its own national security and reduce conflict and terrorism.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 16/07/2019 13:42:36 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1138069

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran: Baha'i Faith
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on reports of the closure of a Baha’i-run elder care centre in Karaj, Iran.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	275646
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of reports indicating that Baha'i owned businesses are being targeted for closure, including reports of the attempted closure of a care centre in Karaj, Iran. We remain concerned about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority groups face.</p><p>We support the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran is legally sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition and the absence of other legal protections for adherents of this faith. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 15/07/2019 15:15:44 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1138104

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	USA: State Visits
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much was spent from the public purse on (a) security, (b) accommodation and (c) transport for family members of President Trump during his visit to the UK in June 2019.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
uin	275782
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>​As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's transparency programme, the cost of the State Visit to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be published on the gov.uk website before the end of the year.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 15/07/2019 14:59:23 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1138115

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India: Islam
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of trends in the level of religious violence directed against Muslims in India in the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	275716
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>We maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. India has a strong democratic framework and constitutionally enshrined protections for freedom of religious belief, but faces some challenges enforcing these due to its size and social and economic development. The situation for religious minorities in India varies, depending on location, socio-economic background and proportion of religious minorities.</p><p>We condemn any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief. We engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with non-governmental organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. The British High Commission in New Delhi, and our Deputy High Commissions across India, also run projects promoting minority rights and regularly meet with religious representatives, as well as official figures such as the Chair of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Minorities. Recent project work included 'Empowering Muslim youth' which reached 150 youths, 20 teachers and over 100 educational institutions.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:34:15 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1138117

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India: Islam
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of Hindu nationalist rhetoric publicly used by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in inciting violence against Indian Muslims.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	275717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>​We maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. India has a strong democratic framework and constitutionally enshrined protections for freedom of religious belief, but faces some challenges enforcing these due to its size and social and economic development. The situation for religious minorities in India varies, depending on location, socio-economic background and proportion of religious minorities.</p><p>We condemn any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief. We engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with non-governmental organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. The British High Commission in New Delhi, and our Deputy High Commissions across India, also run projects promoting minority rights and regularly meet with religious representatives, as well as official figures such as the Chair of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Minorities. Recent project work included 'Empowering Muslim youth' which reached 150 youths, 20 teachers and over 100 educational institutions.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:46:44 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1138163

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Bangladesh: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Bangladesh.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	275838
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) makes regular assessments of the political situation in Bangladesh, including through the British High Commission in Dhaka. Bangladesh is a close partner of the UK and a fellow Commonwealth member, and we welcome our joint reaffirmation of democratic values at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting on 10 July.</p><p>A general election took place in December in which the Awami League won 96% of seats in Parliament. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific issued a statement on 1 January noting credible accounts of obstacles and irregularities in the conduct of elections, and deploring the acts of intimidation and violence that took place. The UK called for the full and transparent resolution of complaints about the conduct of the elections.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary also wrote to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in January to express our concerns and to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to maintain dialogue with opposition parties and civil society. In April 2019, Minister Field reiterated these concerns and the importance of engaging with opposition parties and freedom of expression when he met the Prime Minister and ministers during his visit to Bangladesh.</p><p>Bangladesh remains a human rights priority country for the FCO. Ministers, and our High Commission in Dhaka, carry out a wide range of activities to promote human rights and freedom of expression in Bangladesh, working with civil society and other like-minded partners. We frequently raise these concerns with the Government of Bangladesh.</p><p>The UK will continue to engage with the Government of Bangladesh to address these concerns and will support efforts towards a stable, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:50:08 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1138164

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	275839
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office makes regular assessments of the political situation in Sri Lanka, including through the British High Commission in Colombo. Sri Lanka is a close partner of the UK and a fellow Commonwealth member, and we welcome our joint reaffirmation of democratic values at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on 10 July.</p><p>We are concerned about the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. We have urged the Government of Sri Lanka to take stronger action to protect minorities and prevent extremists in all communities from inciting violence. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific most recently raised these concerns with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in June.</p><p>We are also concerned about President Sirisena's statements reiterating his intention to end the country's moratorium on the death penalty, and issued a statement on 26 June. While we welcome the Supreme Court ruling on 5 July halting executions until October, we have made clear our continued concern, including about the implications for our cooperation on counter narcotics, counter terrorism and other areas of law enforcement. We will continue to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to maintain its moratorium.</p><p>More broadly, the UK continues to believe that Sri Lanka's commitments to the UN Human Rights Council through Resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 remain the best framework for establishing truth, justice and lasting reconciliation in Sri Lanka. We will continue to encourage and support Sri Lanka to deliver on these commitments.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 18/07/2019 13:50:17 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1138183

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	USA: Detention Centres
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in the US Administration on the treatment of (a) child and (b) other refugees and migrants being held at detention centres on the US-Mexico border.
tabling member constituency	Hove
tabling member printed	Peter Kyle
uin	275797
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>​We are aware of recent concerning reports describing conditions for children and other refugees and migrants in US detention facilities. The President signed a Bill on 1 July providing emergency funding, including humanitarian support, in part to help address those conditions. We will continue to monitor the situation, though immigration policy in the US is of course a matter for the US Government, just as immigration policy in the UK is decided by the British Government.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 15/07/2019 14:53:58 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4505 label Biography information for Peter Kyle

1138228

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iraq: Internally Displaced People
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 support the Iraqi Government to strengthen security in that country so that internally displaced Christian and Yazidi minorities are able to return to their home towns.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	275705
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>We support the safe, voluntary return of displaced members of Iraq's Christian and Yazidi minority communities and continue to engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government on this issue. Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary held productive meetings with the President of Iraq during his recent visit to the UK on 25-28 June. A range of issues were discussed, including how best to protect and support minority communities including Yazidis and Christians.</p><p>We have contributed £14.45 million to the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilisation to help the Government of Iraq rebuild communities in liberated areas where many minorities are resident. We regularly meet with leaders and members of Iraq's ethnic and religious minorities to discuss their needs and priorities.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 16/07/2019 13:41:34 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1138231

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Diplomatic Service: Disclosure of Information
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the process for (a) distributing and (b) grading of diplomatic telegrams of a sensitive nature; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Mid Sussex
tabling member printed	Sir Nicholas Soames
uin	275645
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 10 July on the recent leak of classified information official documents, which covered Diplomatic Telegrams. Formal correspondence from diplomats, including these, is marked either OFFICIAL, OFFICIAL SENSITIVE or SECRET in line with government policy.</p><p>We use the Cabinet Office Government Security Classification policy as a guide to classifying all FCO information and its subsequent handling. We are confident we have good security systems. Nevertheless we are reviewing how they are functioning in light of recent events. The new cross-government SECRET system developed by the Cabinet Office now also provides enhanced secure communication in the majority of our posts around the world and across government.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 15/07/2019 14:57:22 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	116 label Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching