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175252

registered interest
date	22/01/2015
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	Burma
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 his Department has taken in response to the increase in the number of political prisoners in Burma in the last year.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	221704
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK actively pushes for the release of all political prisoners in Burma. The most recent official figures from the government of Burma suggest that 27 political prisoners remain in prison, having dropped from over 2,000 in 2011. However these figures are contested, and a leading local non-government organisation – the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) – suggest that as of January there are 160 political prisoners with another 203 facing trial. <br><br>Clearly, the UK is very concerned by the increase in political prisoners witnessed over the last year. Officials from our Embassy in Rangoon meet regularly with members of civil society on this issue, and we continue to raise our concerns with the government of Burma at Ministerial level. I raised our concerns over political prisoners with Deputy Foreign Minister Thant Kyaw in June 2014. Most recently, the Minister of State at the Home Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Ms Featherstone), raised this issue directly with the Minister for the President’s Office, U Soe Thein, during her visit to Burma this month. We continue to lobby on individual cases. We also raise our concerns publicly in our Annual Report on Human Rights and in multilateral fora such as the UN General Assembly, where the UK co-sponsored a Resolution last year that called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 16:48:27 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

175253

registered interest
date	22/01/2015
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	India
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 discussions he has had with the Indian government on the use of torture on terror suspects; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Fiona Mactaggart
uin	221770
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>The Government stands firmly against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. We recommended that the Indian government expedite ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) during India’s Universal Periodic Review in May 2012. The issue was also raised at the EU-Indian Human Rights Dialogue in December 2013. We will continue to encourage India and all countries to sign and ratify UNCAT and its Optional Protocol.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 28/01/2015 14:00:44 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	12 label Biography information for Fiona Mactaggart

175257

registered interest
date	22/01/2015
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	Burma
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 it his policy to support the establishment of an independent, international inquiry to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rakhine State, Burma.
tabling member constituency	Walsall South
tabling member printed	Valerie Vaz
uin	221792
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by intercommunal violence in Burma, particularly in Rakhine State. While levels of violence have not been repeated on the same scale as in 2012, the situation remains fragile and sensitive. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations by encouraging a resolution of the underlying problems and de-escalating tensions. We have made clear to the government of Burma that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with through a clear, independent and transparent investigative and prosecutorial process that meets international standards. We have also put on record our view that an independent investigation, supported by appropriate technical assistance, would make a significant contribution to accountability and reconciliation.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 14:54:14 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4076 label Biography information for Valerie Vaz

174944

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Colombia
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what practical steps they are taking to follow up the visit of the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict to Colombia in 2014; and how they are supporting civil society in Colombia to work on the agenda they set at the Global Summit on ending conflict-related sexual violence.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL4323
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>I am proud to work with the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on the issue of sexual violence in conflict and see the leadership that the UK is taking on this issue. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working across Government and around the world to ensure that we make significant progress in addressing impunity and supporting conflict affected states in strengthening their responses to these crimes. <br> <br>The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and Mr Hague regularly discuss the implementation of the commitments from the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence, which took place in London in June last year.</p><p>The Colombian government’s efforts internationally and at home have demonstrated a clear commitment to tackling sexual violence. There is still more to do and the UK is supporting three projects in Colombia through the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative:</p><p>1. Our Embassy is working with two non-governmental organisations (NGOs), LIMPAL and Casa Amazonia, to directly support survivors of sexual violence, train women’s organisations and connect them to government authorities.</p><p>2. We are working with DeJusticia and the Attorney General’s Office to train prosecutors to investigate sexual violence in armed conflict, in support of efforts to develop new national standards for investigation and prosecution.</p><p>3. We are working with NGO Casa de la Mujer to adapt and implement in Colombia the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict (launched at the June Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict), with pilots in two municipalities of the Pacific coast most affected by the armed conflict and with high incidence of sexual violence.</p><p>In 2015 our Embassy will hold an event during the first week of February to support the campaign against sexual violence, Survivors United for Action, led by Jineth Bedoya. Bedoya is one of Colombia’s most respected leaders on this theme and was a speaker at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/01/2015 14:21:46 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

174945

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to create a concerted European and Middle-Eastern effort to deny funding to ISIS, in particular from sales of oil and antiquities, but also from ransoms and private gifts.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL4324
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>Denying the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) access to funds and other resources is a key part of our strategy to defeat ISIL. The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to rally wider international support against ISIL, including at the September North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Summit and at the UN. Under our Presidency in August, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2170 to restrict ISIL’s financial, trade and recruitment network, including through the sale of oil and antiquities. To build on this, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), co-hosted, with US Secretary of State John Kerry, a meeting of 21 European and Middle East coalition countries in London on 22 January. The meeting reviewed our efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL, not just through military force but by addressing the underlying factors such as financing. Agreement was reached to further the work in countering all avenues of ISIL’s finances.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/01/2015 14:26:37 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

174946

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Radicalism
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are examining with religious scholars and Arab civil society ways to delegitimise the ideology of jihadis and takfiris.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL4325
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>Recent events in the region have demonstrated how terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al Nusra Front are using violence and intimidation to impose extremist ideology on civilians and commit atrocities. Tackling radicalisation and extremist ideologies and their root causes is a priority for the British Government.</p><p>As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), made clear at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, failure to meet people’s needs and aspirations can create a breeding ground where extremist and even terrorist insurgency can take root. It is vital that the underlying grievances that stem from lack of political and economic freedoms and opportunities are addressed. These issues and long-term stability are inextricably linked. The UK is supporting countries as they do this, working with governments and civil society including academics and religious experts, to tackle both short term conflict and support longer-term moves to more open and inclusive government. We welcome initiatives such as the Amman message underlining core values of Islam including tolerance and mutual respect – principles which have inspired gatherings by scholars around the world.</p><p>We are working with regional and coalition allies to counter ISIL’s twisted ideology. Participants at the Counter-ISIL Coalition Small Group meeting in London on 22 January agreed to work more closely to counter ISIL’s narrative and to encourage moderate Islamic voices to speak out against extremism. We have been clear that defeating ISIL will take considerable time, but we have a comprehensive, long-term and well-coordinated strategy in place.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/01/2015 14:28:06 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

174956

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Afghanistan
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 presence of ISIL fighters in Helmand Province in Afghanistan since the withdrawal of British troops; and what assessment they have made of expressions of support for ISIL by some groups in Afghanistan.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL4335
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of recent media reports suggesting that elements of the insurgency in parts of Afghanistan, including Helmand, have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Alongside our international partners we continue to monitor the situation as part of our close cooperation on security matters with the Afghan government.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/01/2015 14:18:17 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

174958

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Syria
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL, in the light of recent reports that one third of Syrian territory is now under ISIL's control.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL4337
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>In the last six months, the global coalition has conducted over two thousand air strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq, with Royal Air Force pilots flying over 6700 hours of surveillance, reconnaissance, refueling and strike missions. Our efforts, and those of the coalition as a whole, have helped check ISIL’s advance and assisted the Iraqis in liberating a number of important towns. Coalition airstrikes are also having an effect in Syria, including at Kobane. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), co-hosted, with US Secretary of State John Kerry, a conference on 22 January to push forward other streams of work including disrupting ISIL’s funding streams, tackling foreign fighters, and countering ISIL’s twisted ideology. In Syria, Assad must continue to bear responsibility for the savage civil war and the harrowing impact it is having on his own people. He is a catalyst of terrorism, not its cure. So it is vital that we keep supporting moderate voices and keep pushing for a political settlement that ends the civil war. We have been clear that defeating ISIL will take considerable time, but we have a comprehensive, long-term and well-coordinated strategy in place.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/01/2015 14:28:54 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

175070

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Sudan: South Sudan
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 mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei to protect Ngok Dinka returnees while they gather grass to rebuild homes in that region.
tabling member constituency	Oxford East
tabling member printed	Mr Andrew Smith
uin	221634
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of recent reports of attacks on Ngok Dinka. The UK supports the mandate provided by the UN Security Council to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to protect civilians in the Abyei Area under imminent threat of physical violence. It is for the mission’s leadership to decide how to fulfil the mandate. The actions of the mission are scrutinised by the UK as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/01/2015 14:30:53 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	95 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Smith

175072

registered interest
date	21/01/2015
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	Wildlife: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many foreign UK-based and locally-engaged staff of his Department worked (a) part-time and (b) full-time on tackling the illegal wildlife trade in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15 to date; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Richmond Park
tabling member printed	Zac Goldsmith
uin	221604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>Prior to 2013, work on the illegal wildlife trade (IWT), in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was handled by individual geographical departments and figures on staffing are not available without disproportionate cost. In 2013 a dedicated illegal wildlife trade team of three full-time staff, including one funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), was set up in the FCO. This team was responsible for organising the London Conference on IWT in February 2014, working closely with Defra, the lead government department. Following the London Conference, this team was reduced to one full-time staff member. Since July 2014, in the run up to the Botswana Conference, two staff members in the FCO have been working predominantly on IWT, supported by a number of others working part-time.</p><p> </p><p>In the FCO’s overseas network, several UK based and locally engaged staff work part time on IWT. It is not possible to provide a breakdown without disproportionate cost. From January to March 2015, there has been one UK based member of staff working full time on the IWT temporarily seconded to support the government of Botswana.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 16:20:57 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park