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1135840

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Abdullah Öcalan
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2019 to Question 248721, whether he has had meetings with the Turkish Government since 2 May 2019 to raise the issue of Abdullah Öcalan's access to lawyers and family visits; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol West
	tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
	uin	271481
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>​The UK Government has raised Mr Öcalan’s case with the Turkish authorities a number of times. I raised the issue with the Turkish Ambassador on 13 May. I welcome the fact that Mr Öcalan has since been granted access to lawyers on at least two separate occasions and that the hunger strikes undertaken by some of his supporters have now come to an end. I also note that the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture paid a further visit to Imrali prison in mid-May, and that the Turkish Minister of Justice recently lifted the court restriction on lawyers' visits there. Whilst I welcome these positive developments, it is important to reiterate that Mr Öcalan remains in our view a convicted terrorist and we condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by the Kurdish Workers’ Party as we condemn all forms of terrorism.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 08/07/2019 14:15:36 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1135885

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Burundi: Press 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 recent assessment he has made of the restrictions on the independent media in Burundi.
	tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
	tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
	uin	271497
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>​We are very concerned by restrictions on the media in Burundi. Freedom of the media is essential in any functioning democracy; people must be allowed to debate issues freely, to challenge their governments, and to be informed by a strong and robust media. We condemn the decision made by the Government of Burundi to revoke the BBC's operating license, suspend the Voice of America, and the recent decisions to restrict the reporting activities of local media. These decisions are particularly concerning in light of the 2020 elections for which a free and independent media is vital.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 08/07/2019 15:40:13 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1135690

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	China: Prisoners
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration, if any, they have given to updating their travel advice for China to include the findings of the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience from China, published on 17 June.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16783
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>We do not intend to update our travel advice to include the findings of the recent report by the pressure group “The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China”. We have reviewed the report and at present, our assessment remains that there is not a strong enough evidential base to substantiate the claim that systematic state-sponsored or sanctioned organ harvesting is taking place in China. We continue to keep this issue under review.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/07/2019 14:42:02 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1135693

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	China: Prisoners
	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 Final Judgment of the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting, published on 17 June; and what actions they plan to take in response to that Judgment.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL16786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>We have noted the recent report by the pressure group “The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China”. Officials attended public hearings organised by the group, and its report is one of a number of sources of information that we are taking into account when considering this issue.</p><p>If true, the practice of systematic, state-sponsored organ harvesting would be truly horrifying. As such, we continue to monitor the allegations and consider carefully all evidence presented on this issue. We have also recently consulted the World Health Organization in both Geneva and Beijing. Their view is that China is implementing an ethical, voluntary organ transplant system in accordance with international standards, though they do have concerns about overall transparency.</p><p>There is credible evidence that practitioners of Falun Gong are subjected to serious mistreatment. We regularly raise concerns with China, including on the extensive use of the death penalty and the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities. We continue to keep this issue under review.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/07/2019 14:45:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1135886

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	China: Sub-Saharan Africa
	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 he has made of (a) China’s influence in sub-Saharan Africa and (b) the extent of Chinese investment in ports in sub-Saharan Africa.
	tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
	tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
	uin	271498
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>China is Sub-Saharan Africa's largest trading partner and a significant source of investment and development finance. Decisions about the extent of Chinese invements in ports are for the respective countries to decide. The UK want to work with China and our African partners to ensure all investments are economically viable and sustainable for the debtor.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 09/07/2019 14:10:24 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1135694

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	China: Uyghurs
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of China on the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China; and what plans they have to ensure that the human rights of Uighur Muslims are protected.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL16787
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>We have serious concerns about the situation in Xinjiang, where there are credible reports of over a million Uyghurs and other minorities being detained in so-called “re-education camps&quot;.</p><p>Ministers and senior officials frequently raise the human rights issues in the region with their Chinese counterparts. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our concerns with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his most recent visit to China in July 2018. Later that month, the Minister for Asia &amp; the Pacific did the same with his Chinese counterpart Vice Minister Guo Yezhou. Additionally, our Embassy in Beijing regularly raises the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang with the Chinese authorities.</p><p>Further, we spoke publicly about the situation in the region at the 40th UN Human Rights Council in February and March 2019. I raised our concerns during my opening address on 25 February, and the UK spoke about Xinjiang during our “Item 4” national statement on 12 March. Following this, we co-sponsored a side event on “Protecting the fundamental freedoms in Xinjiang” on 13 March which helped to raise awareness of the situation among the international community.</p><p>Moreover, in our statement at China’s Universal Periodic Review on 6 November 2018, we made clear our concern about the treatment of Uyghurs in China. The UK issued a specific recommendation to China that it implements the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s recommendations on Xinjiang and allows the UN to monitor the implementation.</p><p>We will continue to raise the human rights situation in Xinjiang with the Chinese Government at all levels bilaterally and in appropriate UN fora, including the Human Rights Council.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 08/07/2019 15:32:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1135691

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Christian Michel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India to ensure that a trial date is set for Christian Michel following his arrest in July 2018 and subsequent extradition to India in December 2018.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Couttie
	uin	HL16784
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Mr Michel's case is currently working its way through the Indian judiciary system. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial process of another country, just as we would expect India to respect the UK's legal process. That said, we encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws meet international human rights standards.</p><p>It is the responsibility of Mr Michel's legal team to ensure that a trial date is set. We have not made any representation to the Government of India about remarks made by Prime Minister Modi, but we have encouraged Mr Michel to seek advice from his legal team on this issue. Our staff in India continue to visit him and check his welfare. We are also supporting the family and in contact with the Indian authorities regarding his case.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL16785 question first answered 15/07/2019 14:43:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4583 label Biography information for Baroness Couttie

1135692

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Christian Michel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that (1) Christian Michel receives a fair trail when such a date is set, and (2) that any evidence used in such a trial is accurate; and what representations they have made, if any, to the government of India about the impact of remarks made by Prime Minister Modi during the recent elections about Christian Michel’s case.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Couttie
	uin	HL16785
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Mr Michel's case is currently working its way through the Indian judiciary system. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial process of another country, just as we would expect India to respect the UK's legal process. That said, we encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws meet international human rights standards.</p><p>It is the responsibility of Mr Michel's legal team to ensure that a trial date is set. We have not made any representation to the Government of India about remarks made by Prime Minister Modi, but we have encouraged Mr Michel to seek advice from his legal team on this issue. Our staff in India continue to visit him and check his welfare. We are also supporting the family and in contact with the Indian authorities regarding his case.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL16784 question first answered 15/07/2019 14:43:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4583 label Biography information for Baroness Couttie

1135739

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Cyprus: Guided Weapons
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they still have guarantor responsibilities in Cyprus under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee; what assessment they have made of reports that a Russian-made S-200 missile was fired from Syria and exploded in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; and what steps they intend to take in response to that incident.
	tabling member printed	Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
	uin	HL16832
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>​The UK remains one of the three Guarantor powers as set out in the Treaty of Guarantee (1960). We are aware that debris from a projectile landed in the north of Cyprus on 1 July: we believe they resulted from an S200 missile fired from Syria which missed its intended target and which may subsequently have exploded mid-air. There were no casualties. The UK enjoys excellent relations with Cyprus, including in the fields of defence and security, based on strong bonds of friendship and historical ties. We continuously assess possible threats to the island to ensure that the necessary precautions are in place.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/07/2019 14:52:21 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	648 label Biography information for Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

1135763

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Embassies: Surveillance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the recording of events surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, what assessment they have made of the adequacy of security measures to prevent surveillance of UK embassies and consulates.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL16856
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>​It is our policy not to comment publicly on the security measures that protect our people, properties and information.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/07/2019 14:54:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley