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760087

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	Nepal: Religious Freedom
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 state of freedom of religion or belief in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>The right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Nepali Constitution of September 2015, however we are concerned that provisions around changing religion are open to interpretation. Freedom of religion or belief – particularly conversion - remains a sensitive issue. Our Embassy in Kathmandu monitors the human rights situation closely and has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal's parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations, this includes freedom of religion or belief, and we will continue to do so. I also raise these issues with the Nepalese Ambassador to London at a meeting on 9 October 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:35:15 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760088

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	Nepal: Freedom of Expression
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 the Government of Nepal on the state of freedom of expression in that country following the arrest of eight Christians in Charikot in June 2016.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>Our Embassy in Kathmandu has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal’s parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations, including freedom of religion or belief. I raised these issues with the Nepalese Ambassador to London at a meeting on 9 October 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:24:38 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760089

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	Nepal: United Nations
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 take steps to encourage the Government of Nepal to extend standing invitations to UN Special Procedures, including the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>​Our officials in Kathmandu have encouraged the Government of Nepal to implement the recommendations made by the UN Working Group on Universal Periodic Review: Nepal which includes extending an invitation to the UN special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. We will continue to encourage the Government of Nepal to meet its international human rights obligations.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:16:22 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760090

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	Nepal: Religious Freedom
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 effect of the Criminal Code Bill 2014, passed on 8 August 2017 by the Nepali Government, on freedom of religion or belief in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>Whilst the final legislation is not yet public the draft version of the Criminal code criminalised religious conversion and the hurting of religious sentiment, which could be interpreted in a way that would limit people’s rights to express their religion and, potentially, their right to choose their religion.</p><p>During drafting our officials in Nepal met with the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to discuss the bill and raise the need for compliance with international human rights standards. This includes ensuring the protection of the right to change religion.</p><p>I have also raised this matter in my most recent meeting with the Nepalese Ambassador to London on 9 October 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:21:52 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760091

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	Nepal: Religious Freedom
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 effect of Article 26(3) of the Nepalese Constitution on freedom of religion or belief in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>The Constitution of Nepal, 2015 under article 26 (1) guarantees freedom of religion as a fundamental right. Sub-article 3 states that in exercise of the right conferred by this article, one cannot do, or cause to be done, any act which may be contrary to public health, decency and morality, breach public peace, convert another person from one religion to another or any other act or conduct that may jeopardize another’s religion. These subsequent provisions may be interpreted in a way that would limit people’s rights to express their religion and, potentially, their right to choose their religion.</p><p>Our Embassy in Kathmandu has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal’s parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations. This includes ensuring freedom of religion or belief. I raised these issues with the Nepalese Ambassador to London at a meeting on 9 October.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:25:36 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

758698

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
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: 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 reports he has received on the shelling of Awamiyah, Saudi Arabia; what representations he has made to the Saudi Government on that matter; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	9319
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>The British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia discussed the operation in Awamiyah with Saudi authorities on 26 July, including measures to guard against civilian casualties. We continue to monitor the situation.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 12/09/2017 15:21:40 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

757668

registered interest
date	05/09/2017
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	Yemen: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will support the Dutch Government initiative to create an international investigation into the alleged violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law in Yemen at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	8921
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2017 answer text <p>​The UK is concerned by the human rights situation in Yemen and takes allegations of violations against international humanitarian law very seriously. The UK's position is that it is first and foremost the responsibility of the parties themselves to investigate allegations and take action.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 11/09/2017 17:02:12 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt previous answer version 9970 answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

723855

registered interest
date	24/04/2017
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	Yemen: 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 reports his Department has received of mass arrests of Baha'is in Sana'a, Yemen during April 2017; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2017 answer text <p>I am deeply concerned by recent developments relating to the Baha’i community in Yemen. The Houthis and all parties in Yemen must respect freedom of religion and the rights of all Yemenis.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/04/2017 08:30:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

723856

registered interest
date	24/04/2017
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	Russia: Jehovah's Witnesses
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on recent restrictions placed on the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71716
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2017 answer text <p>The UK is very concerned by the decision of Russia's Supreme Court to categorise the Jehovah's Witnesses as &quot;extremists&quot;. This ruling effectively criminalises the peaceful worship by 175,000 Russian citizens and is at odds with the right to religious freedom enshrined in the Russian Constitution. The Minister of State, The Baroness Anelay of St Johns, issued a statement on 21 April expressing these concerns.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 27/04/2017 11:00:55 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

723867

registered interest
date	24/04/2017
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	Diplomatic Service: Religious Freedom
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 to implement its revised toolkit on freedom of religion or belief by embassies overseas.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71720
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2017 answer text <p>In October 2016, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) made available to staff a revised Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) toolkit to assist all officials working on human rights both in London and at overseas posts. The revised toolkit provides posts with ideas on how to promote freedom of religion or belief in their local context. To support implementation, we provide training to staff to increase religious literacy, including courses on religion and diplomacy. Building on the FCO's conference in October 2016, posts have been encouraged to make FoRB and countering violent extremism themes of their diplomatic and project work.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 27/04/2017 09:04:28 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon