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515485
registered interest false remove filter
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2016-04-25
answering body
Leader of the House of Lords more like this
answering dept id 92 more like this
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name Leader of the House of Lords more like this
hansard heading Human Rights more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask the Leader of the House whether time will be made in the Parliamentary timetable for a full debate on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s <i>Human Rights and Democracy Report 2015</i>. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7865 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-09more like thismore than 2016-05-09
answer text <p>My Noble Friend the Government Chief Whip does not expect to be able to facilitate a full debate on the report before the end of this session, but from the start of the new session, the usual mechanisms - which include balloted debates, Thursday debates, and questions for short debate - will be available to secure a debate on the Report.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Stowell of Beeston more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-09T11:05:17.903Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-09T11:05:17.903Z
answering member
4205
label Biography information for Baroness Stowell of Beeston more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
515486
registered interest false remove filter
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2016-04-25
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Islamic State more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that they fulfil the pledge in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s <i>Human Rights and Democracy Report 2015</i> to "continue to look at every available option to ensure accountability" for the crimes committed by Daesh. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7866 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-04more like thismore than 2016-05-04
answer text <p>We continue to look at every option to ensure accountability. In the meantime we are supporting the gathering and preservation of evidence that could in future be used in a court to hold Daesh to account.</p><p>The UK co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution of September 2014 mandating investigation of Daesh abuses in Iraq. Working with international partners, we are doing everything we can to assist in the gathering and preservation of evidence that could in future be used by judicial bodies to make a judgement on this matter. It is vital that this is done now, before evidence is lost or destroyed.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-04T13:49:08.777Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-04T13:49:08.777Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
515487
registered interest false remove filter
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2016-04-25
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Middle East: Responsibility to Protect more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will apply the principles of the Responsibility to Protect to the situation in Iraq and Syria. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7867 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-04more like thismore than 2016-05-04
answer text <p>The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) imposes an obligation on all states to protect their populations, and for the international community to assist. The Asad regime has consistently ignored this obligation, using extreme violence against its own people and preventing access to humanitarian aid. The British Government is also appalled at the brutality of Daesh abuses against all communities. In line with R2P, we continue to call on all sides to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and we are working with the international community to find ways of providing justice to those who have suffered. Ultimately, the only way of safeguarding people is by defeating Daesh and establishing a lasting peace in both Syria and Iraq.</p><p>The UK is working through the International Syria Support Group to support and facilitate UN brokered intra-Syrian negotiations to end the conflict through political transition to a government that represents and protects its people, and are a leading member of the Global Coalition against Daesh. Our counter-Daesh strategy is working. Daesh have lost about 40 per cent of the territory it once held in Iraq - and significant territory in Syria. Thousands of people have been freed from Daesh’s abusive rule and have been able to return safely to their homes.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-04T13:45:35.03Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-04T13:45:35.03Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
515488
registered interest false remove filter
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2016-04-25
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading North Korea: Responsibility to Protect more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will apply the principles of the Responsibility to Protect to the situation in North Korea. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7868 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-05more like thismore than 2016-05-05
answer text <p>Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is a governing principle of the British Government's work across the conflict spectrum, including in human rights and development. R2P imposes an obligation on all UN member states to protect their populations and for the international community to assist.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government continues to maintain pressure on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to engage with the international community and take concrete steps to improve their appalling human rights record. We have urged the North Korean regime to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on DPRK Human Rights free and unfettered access to investigate the disturbing reports of human rights violations as documented in the UN Commission of Inquiry report.</p><p> </p><p>The Government strongly supported the recent Human Rights Council Resolution on DPRK which created a Panel of Experts to investigate the issue of accountability for those accused of committing human rights violations. We will continue to support this process to ensure that those who are responsible for human rights abuses are held to account.</p><p> </p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights Report 2015 designated the DPRK as a Human Rights Priority Country. Improving the human rights situation in the DPRK remains a key objective of our engagement with the North Korean government.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-05T13:36:05.433Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-05T13:36:05.433Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
515489
registered interest false remove filter
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2016-04-25
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Burma: Sexual Offences more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps the UK is taking in Burma to ensure that the three objectives of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative are met. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7869 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-10more like thismore than 2016-05-10
answer text <p>We are persistent in applying pressure to the Burmese government to live up to the commitments it made when it endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict at the London Global Summit in June 2014.</p><p> </p><p>During his visit to Burma in July 2015, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), pressed the Burmese government at senior ministerial level on the issue. He also launched the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence. We continue to raise the issue in international fora, including through UN resolutions on Burma at the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, which we co-sponsor. We also facilitated the 2015 visit of the co-founder of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, Angelina Jolie-Pitt. Along with Mr Swire, I was pleased to update selected Parliamentarians on our continuing efforts on this serious issue at the Burma briefing on Wednesday 4 May.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-10T13:29:12.837Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-10T13:29:12.837Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
515490
registered interest false remove filter
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2016-04-25
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading North Korea: Sexual Offences more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps the UK is taking in regard to North Korea to ensure that the three objectives of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative are met. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7870 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-09more like thismore than 2016-05-09
answer text <p>The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) falls outside of the scope of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), which is focused on addressing impunity for sexual violence committed in conflict zones. However whilst the Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not currently run projects directly aimed at preventing sexual violence in the DPRK, we continue to support projects aimed at improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable groups in North Korean society.</p><p>Following the launch of the PSVI initiative, our Ambassador in Pyongyang raised the campaign with the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and encouraged their endorsement. There was no response from the North Korean Government.</p><p>The British Government continues to maintain pressure on the DPRK to engage with the international community on human rights and address the appalling reports of human rights violations, as documented in the UN Commission of Inquiry report, including those of sexual violence.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-09T16:25:36.123Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-09T16:25:36.123Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
514670
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2016-04-21more like thismore than 2016-04-21
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Islamic State more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Baroness Anelay of St Johns to the private notice question from Lord Alton of Liverpool on 21 April, which members of the United Nations Security Council they believe would veto a referral to the International Criminal Court of evidence of genocide against Christian, Yazidi and other minorities in Iraq and Syria. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7816 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-03more like thismore than 2016-05-03
answer text <p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor set out some of the complicated issues involved in the ICC investigating Daesh in her press statement of 8 April 2015. It is not possible to refer Daesh itself to the ICC. Any referral would cover ALL potential crimes against international humanitarian law within a specified geographic area, rather than a specified organisation or set of actors.</p><p>When efforts were made to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC in 2014, it was vetoed by Russia and China. We expect that any Security Council resolution at this time seeking to refer the situations in Iraq or Syria to the ICC would likewise be blocked.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-03T11:12:25.393Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-03T11:12:25.393Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
514671
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2016-04-21more like thismore than 2016-04-21
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Genocide more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that non-judicial bodies such as the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the US House of Representatives are competent to make a declaration that a genocide is underway; and whether they consider that the UK Parliament can do so, and if not, why not. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7817 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-04-27more like thismore than 2016-04-27
answer text <p>The Government believes that recognition of genocide should be a matter for judicial decision. It should be a legal, rather than political determination, decided by judges after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible judicial process. Political pronouncements on whether genocide has occurred, such as the European Parliament resolution, are not legally binding and do not create legal obligations on member states.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-04-27T15:18:40.45Zmore like thismore than 2016-04-27T15:18:40.45Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
514672
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2016-04-21more like thismore than 2016-04-21
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Islamic State more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that witness statements by potential genocide survivors in Iraq and Syria are given to the International Criminal Court and that the collection of forensic evidence and the protection of mass graves is prioritised. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7818 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-04-28more like thismore than 2016-04-28
answer text <p>In Syria, the UK is supporting the work of non-governmental organisations who are gathering evidence of human rights violations. This is being done to the international standard required for criminal prosecution against high level perpetrators in a domestic or international court. In Iraq, we are considering how the UK might best complement similar efforts already underway with funds from other donor countries.</p><p>Cases are being prepared for international prosecution should a referral to the International Criminal Court be forthcoming or should individuals be subject to litigation by hybrid, specialised or national courts. We are therefore doing everything we can to assist in the gathering and preservation of evidence that could in future be used by judicial bodies to make a judgement on this matter. It is vital that this is done now, before evidence is lost or destroyed.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-04-28T15:32:08.133Zmore like thismore than 2016-04-28T15:32:08.133Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter
514297
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2016-04-20more like thismore than 2016-04-20
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading China: Christianity more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of China about (1) reports of a pastor’s wife who was buried alive during the demolition of a church in Henan Province; (2) the demolition of churches, and the imprisonment and detention of religious leaders; and (3) the disappearance of several Catholic priests in Hebei Province. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Alton of Liverpool more like this
uin HL7787 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2016-05-04more like thismore than 2016-05-04
answer text <p>We pay close attention to the human rights situation in China. We were concerned by reports that Ding Cuimei was buried alive on 14 April while protesting at the demolition of a church in Henan Province. We intend to raise Ding’s case at the next round of the annual UK-China Human Rights Dialogue.</p><p>We are aware of reports of the closure or demolition of churches and that individuals are being harassed or detained for their beliefs. We are aware, too, of reports of the recent disappearance of a number of Catholic priests in Hebei Province, such as Father Yang Jianwei. We are concerned by all instances where the whereabouts of detainees remains undisclosed, and where detainees are held without access to legal counsel or visits from relatives.</p><p>We continue to raise the full range of our concerns about freedom of religion and the restrictions placed on Christianity with the Chinese authorities. We also place on record our concerns in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy, published on 21 April, and in updates to it.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2016-05-04T12:56:34.827Zmore like thismore than 2016-05-04T12:56:34.827Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
738
label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool remove filter