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760013

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last raised with the government of Pakistan (1) the anti-Ahmadiyya laws set out in Penal Code Article 298, and (2) that government's obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief; and whether they intend to encourage the government of Pakistan to invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to make a country visit to Pakistan.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1569
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2017 answer text <p>The UK Government remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief. We regularly raise concerns about the protection and persecution of minority communities, including Ahmadiyya Muslims, the blasphemy laws and the protection of freedom of religion or belief to the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance we attach to religious tolerance and safeguarding the rights of all Pakistan's citizens during his visit to Pakistan in November 2016. The former Minister for Asia and the Pacific, my hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Sharma), discussed the protection of religious minorities with Kamran Michael, former Minister for Human Rights, and Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Human Rights, during a visit to Pakistan in January 2017.</p><p>We continue to urge Pakistan to take the steps necessary to comply in full with its human rights obligations, including engaging with the UN and other international bodies, and to ensure that the rights of minorities are respected.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2017 16:08:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

760014

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Taimoor Raza
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have about the case of Taimoor Raza who has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for allegedly breaking the blasphemy laws on social media; and what representations, if any, they have made on his behalf.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1570
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2017 answer text <p>We are aware of the case of Taimoor Raza, a Pakistani national who was sentenced to death on 10 June 2017 after allegedly making blasphemous remarks on social media. We understand Mr Raza has submitted an appeal to the High Court.</p><p>The UK remains firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. While we have not raised Mr Raza's case directly with the Pakistan authorities, we have repeatedly called upon the Government of Pakistan to end capital punishment and, at a minimum, commit to publicly renewing the previously imposed moratorium on the death penalty. We regularly raise our concerns about freedom of expression and the misuse of the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government at a senior level.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary raised misuse of the blasphemy laws during his visit to Pakistan in November 2016. The former Minister for Asia and the Pacific, my hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Sharma), discussed the death penalty and the importance we attach to freedom of expression with Kamran Michael, former Minister for Human Rights, and Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Human Rights, during a visit to Pakistan in January 2017. The Government will continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to the death penalty and freedom of expression and religion.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/09/2017 14:38:37 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

760016

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have about proposals in Pakistan to establish (1) a National Council for Minorities’ Rights, and (2) a dedicated police unit to protect religious minorities; and whether they have encouraged such developments.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1572
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2017 answer text <p>The Action Plan for Human Rights, published by the Pakistan Ministry of Human Rights in 2016, contains proposals for a range of measures to improve human rights in Pakistan, including a National Commission for Minorities and security arrangements for protection of places of worship of minorities. We have encouraged implementation of the Action Plan.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/09/2017 15:02:27 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

760017

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Marriage
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have encouraged the government of Pakistan to enact laws recognising the legality of Christian marriages.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1573
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2017 answer text <p>The Ministry of Human Rights in Pakistan is currently reviewing the Christian Marriage Act 1872 and Christian Divorce Act 1862. We have discussed the review with the then Minister for Human Rights, Kamran Michael, and regularly raise minority and women's rights with the Government of Pakistan.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/09/2017 14:57:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

760024

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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 Courts
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a summary of the verdicts and punishments imposed by all international courts and tribunals associated with the United Nations relating to breaches by individuals of international law in the last 20 years, including those imposed by the International Criminal Court.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL1580
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2017 answer text <p>Support for international criminal justice and accountability is a fundamental element of UK foreign policy. International courts and tribunals, including the International Criminal Court, have an important role to play in global efforts to end impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern by holding perpetrators to account and achieving justice for victims. The institutions report regularly on their activities and publish up-to-date details of convictions and sentences on their publicly accessible websites. The Government does not intend to publish a summary of such information at this time.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/09/2017 15:04:00 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

759568

registered interest
date	12/09/2017
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 whether they will propose measures to improve the status quo for the people of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, for humanitarian reasons and to prepare the way for permanent peace negotiations.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL1538
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2017 answer text <p>The UK Government regularly raises with the Government of Israel concerns about the situation for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and pushes for an easing of restrictions. We are firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, and call upon all parties to abide by International Humanitarian Law. Ultimately peace will only come through fresh negotiations between the parties, which the UK fully supports, and it is critical that Israel and the Palestinians take advantage of any momentum gathered through international efforts.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/09/2017 16:00:19 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

759569

registered interest
date	12/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Saudi Arabia: Radicalism
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, concerning reports of financial and logistical support provided by Saudi Arabia to Daesh and other radical Sunni groups in the Middle East and Asia.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Leeds
uin	HL1539
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2017 answer text <p>This was not discussed on 5 September. We have seen no evidence to suggest there has been any funding of Daesh by the Government of Saudi Arabia. Where we do have concerns we do not shy away from raising them. Saudi Arabia has had its own painful experiences as the victim of numerous Daesh attacks. It is a key ally in the fight against Daesh, participating in coalition airstrikes to fight it and speaking out against its poisonous ideology.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2017 15:10:06 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4349 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Leeds

759570

registered interest
date	12/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, concerning religious freedom, eliminating discriminatory enforcement of laws against religious minorities, and promoting respect and tolerance for minority Muslim and non-Muslim religious practices and beliefs.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Leeds
uin	HL1540
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2017 answer text <p>Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign and Commonwealth Office human rights priority country, particularly because of the restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Although not discussed on 5 September, we regularly raise our concern with the Government of Saudi Arabia.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2017 15:09:49 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4349 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Leeds

759571

registered interest
date	12/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Leeds
uin	HL1541
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2017 answer text <p>Saudi Arabia remains a human rights priority country because of the restrictions on the freedom of religion and belief, including the prohibition on publicly practising religions other than Islam. The UK Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international human rights instruments.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/09/2017 16:00:38 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4349 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Leeds

759572

registered interest
date	12/09/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what guarantees, if any, they sought from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia will only be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Leeds
uin	HL1542
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/09/2017 answer text <p>During his visit to London on 4-5 September, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. Both raised the importance of Coalition compliance with their international humanitarian law obligations.</p><p>The UK Government takes its arms export licensing responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. Our defence exports to Saudi Arabia are kept under careful and continual review to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.</p><p>We welcomed the High Court’s ruling in July this year that UK Government decisions on arms export licensing to Saudi Arabia are lawful. The judgment stated the Government was rationally entitled to conclude that Saudi Arabia has been, and remains, genuinely committed to compliance with international humanitarian law. We note the application to appeal and will continue to defend the decisions challenged.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/09/2017 16:03:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4349 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Leeds