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861295

registered interest
date	13/03/2018
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: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of recent criminal and terrorist acts targeting members of minority communities in Iraq; and what discussions they have had with the government of Iraq about the protection of Yezidi, Christians, Shabak, Sabean Mandaeans, and other minorities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2018 answer text <p>​We are aware of credible reports of human rights abuses and violations perpetrated against minority communities in Iraq. The UK condemns all such acts.</p><p>We regularly raise the protection needs of minorities with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government regularly. We have made clear, through our Embassy in Baghdad and our Consulate General in Erbil, the importance of protecting civilians and of Iraq meeting its human rights responsibilities, including ensuring the rule of law. We welcome the commitments of Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses and violations, including those committed against minorities, and to hold those responsible to account, including those committed against minorities. We will continue to make clear that we expect the Government of Iraq to act on that commitment.</p><p>On 2 and 3 March, I <em>(the Minister for The Commonwealth and UN, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon</em>) met the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani and raised the importance of tolerance and protecting and safeguarding the rights of Christians, Yezidis and other minority groups. The Prime Minister also emphasised this message with Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi during her visit in November.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 28/03/2018 11:10:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

861296

registered interest
date	13/03/2018
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: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Iraq about reports of (1) the killing of a Christian doctor and two members of his family in a home invasion, and (2) the murder of a member of the Sabean Mandaean community who was kidnapped from his shop, in Baghdad earlier this month; and what efforts are underway to bring those responsible for those crimes to justice.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2018 answer text <p>We are aware of reports of the recent killing of a doctor and his family and of a kidnapping in Baghdad. We continue to make it clearto the Government of Iraq at the highest levels the importance of ensuring civilians are protected and that human rights are respected.We welcome Prime Minister Abadi's commitment in his weekly statement to protect all Iraqi citizens and pursue every criminal who threatens the security of Iraqi citizens.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/03/2018 16:49:45 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

861297

registered interest
date	13/03/2018
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: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq about practical steps that can be taken to (1) support and protect Iraq’s minority communities, (2) ensure the return home of members of minority communities persecuted by Daesh, and (3) encourage Iraq’s government, religious, political and civic leaders to prioritise the protection of minority communities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2018 answer text <p>The UK's Ambassador to Iraq works closely with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General to support the Government of Iraq's efforts to stabilise the country and protect all communities. Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate-General in Erbil, alongside UN officials and our other international partners, we consistently urge the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure the safe, voluntary and unhindered return of all Internally Displaced Persons, including minorities, supported by the prospect of genuine community reconciliation. We recognise that security is one of the main concerns facing not just minorities but many other displaced Iraqis wanting to return home. Ultimately, restoring security in liberated areas and creating an environment that is safe for everyone is the responsibility of the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government.</p><p><ins class="ministerial">We are also working with the UN and other international partners to support the Iraqi Government in its efforts to stablilise areas which have been liberated from Daesh.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/03/2018 16:47:59 question first ministerially corrected 28/03/2018 12:35:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 50197 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

861298

registered interest
date	13/03/2018
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: Minority Groups
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 recent statement by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq that “Iraq needs all its components, all its ethnic and religious groups, to rebuild in the post-Daesh period and prosper in the future as a stable and united country”; and what assessment they have made of progress made in bringing those responsible for persecuting minority communities in Iraq to justice.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6281
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2018 answer text <p>​We strongly agree with the statement by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq that all Iraq's communities have a role in rebuilding their country. Inclusive, representative governance is critical to winning the peace in Iraq and ensuring that all Iraq's communities can enjoy a more secure, stable and prosperous future.</p><p>The UK is at the forefront of global efforts to bring Daesh to justice, including for their crimes against minorities. On 21 September 2017, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2379 which establishes an Investigative Team to gather evidence of Daesh crimes, beginning in Iraq. The UK has committed £1m to the establishment of this team.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/03/2018 16:50:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

861299

registered interest
date	13/03/2018
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: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking, if any, to promote the conclusions and recommendations of the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, published on 9 March.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2018 answer text <p>We support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur, Ms Lee. We continue to urge the Burmese authorities to cooperate with her, not least by allowing her access into Burma. As the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field MP, made clear in his statement to the House on 15 March, we agree with many of the principal conclusions of her report, and will look for opportunities to address her recommendations where possible. The Foreign Secretary has been clear that the violence against the Rohingya is ethnic cleansing. We continue to work with our international partners on what can be done, both to assist the victims and to bring those responsible to justice. The immediate task is to support those gathering information, which may be useful for any potential future judicial process. In line with the Special Rapporteur's recommendations, the Government is considering how to support better co-ordination between organisations collecting testimony in Bangladesh, through an international or local mechanism. We continue to urge the Burmese authorities to ensure basic rights for all and stand ready to support the Government of Burma in implementing the Annan Commission's recommendations to this end.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/03/2018 16:02:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

861300

registered interest
date	13/03/2018
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: Religious Freedom
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) reported restrictions on the ability to celebrate Christian holidays in India, and (2) the diminution of religious freedom in India; and what representations they have made to the government of India on those matters.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6283
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2018 answer text <p>India has a strong democratic framework, which guarantees human rights within its constitution. However, it also faces numerous challenges relating to its size, social and economic development.</p><p>The British Government remains committed to promoting and defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for Christians, and indeed individuals of all faiths or beliefs, and to support this we engage with the Indian government to build capacity and share expertise to tackle challenges, including the promotion and protection of human rights. Our High Commission in New Delhi, our network of Deputy High Commissions, as well as Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London, maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India, including with civil society groups in India. Officials regularly meet with minority representatives to discuss minority issues and freedom of religious belief. More widely our project work has benefited a variety of minority groups in India, including promoting minority rights.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/03/2018 14:24:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

860820

registered interest
date	12/03/2018
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	Crimes against Humanity: Prosecutions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 9 March (HL5861), how many years elapsed between the atrocities committed by Ratko Mladić and his conviction; and what assessment they have made of the options for introducing more expeditious and timely ways of bring to justice those who perpetrate genocide or crimes against humanity.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6219
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2018 answer text <p>After 16 years as a fugitive from justice, Ratko Mladić was arrested in May 2011 for crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 until 1995. His trial commenced a year later and considered testimony from almost 600 witnesses and just under 10,000 exhibits. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war in November 2017, six and a half years after his arrest. We agree that justice should be dispensed as expeditiously as possible while ensuring defendants' receive a fair trial. The UK participates in regular meetings of the Security Council's Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, which deals with a range of issues relating to the functioning of the UN Tribunals, including considering evaluation reports, exchanging views with Tribunal Principals and reviewing potential efficiencies in the operation of the Tribunals.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/03/2018 14:22:24 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

860821

registered interest
date	12/03/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan: Textbooks
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in work with the provincial governments in Pakistan to eliminate bias and discrimination against religious minorities from school textbooks; and what plans they have for continuing those efforts.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6220
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2018 answer text <p>DFID’s education programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces continue to support provincial governments in the ongoing process to update and revise textbooks to improve quality and inclusion. Through the Ilm Two programme DFID is also supporting the production of additional reading materials that specifically focus on religious tolerance and inclusion. DFID has also engaged with Federal Government consultations on a new National Curriculum which will be trialled in Islamabad Capital Territory from April. The Federal Government has also agreed minimum standards for educational quality which agreed at the Inter Provincial Conference of Ministers. These standards set quality criteria for learners, curriculum, textbooks, teachers and assessment.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 22/03/2018 15:41:43 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

857877

registered interest
date	08/03/2018
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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Mining
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Earl of Courtown on 6 March (HL Deb, col 992), what assessment they have made of reports that the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with multinational mining companies to seek increased royalties; and whether any British companies took part in that meeting.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6186
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2018 answer text <p>President Kabila held a meeting with numerous mining firms on 7 March 2018 but we are unaware of any British companies taking part in the meeting.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/03/2018 15:21:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

857878

registered interest
date	08/03/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Mining
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 likelihood that the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will use funds levied from the mining industry to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in that country.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6187
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2018 answer text <p>The UK Government will continue to strongly encourage the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to increase their own commitments to the humanitarian crisis in the country, including funds generated from the sale of minerals. Currently there is a low willingness and ability on the DRC side to do this, given the lack of transparency in the management and oversight of the mining sector.</p><p> </p><p>We will do this in conjunction with other international partners, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. We will raise this directly at the upcoming UN Donor Conference on the DRC, to be held in Geneva on the 13<sup>th</sup> April 2018.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 20/03/2018 15:52:46 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool