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100002

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	Pakistan: Ahmadiyya
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the assassination of the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, and in particular, the recent assasination of Latif Aalam Butt.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2217
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the violence faced by the Ahmadiyya and other communities in Pakistan and continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens as laid down in the Constitution and in accordance with international standards. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office closely monitors the situation in Pakistan as documented in the annual Human Rights report and quarterly updates. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised human rights concerns with Prime Minister Sharif during his visit in May 2014.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/10/2014 15:37:50 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1046303

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2019
	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: Genetic Engineering
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of China about reports that babies have been born in China with edited genes.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL13012
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2019 answer text <p>There are conflicting media reports on claims of genetic modification in China. We shall continue to monitor the situation. We have had no discussion with the Chinese Government regarding the ethical issues and risks associated with the gene-edited babies born in China. The procedure alleged to have been carried out by Prof He Jiankui in China would be illegal in the UK. It would be an offence under the 1990 Human Fertilisation &amp; Embryology Act (1990 Act), punishable, on conviction, by a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine or both.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/02/2019 17:09:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1108826

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2019
	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	Middle East: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British children are living in refugee camps in Syria or in territory that was formerly part of the sovereign states of Syria or Iraq.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL14933
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2019 answer text <p>We are aware that some British nationals including children are living in displaced persons camps in Syria but due to the circumstances on the ground, we are not in a position to make an accurate estimate of the number. The UK has no consular presence within Syria and has advised against all travel to Syria since 2012 because of the dangers associated with the conflict there. We have not been made aware of any British children living in refugee camps in Iraq or elsewhere in the region.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/04/2019 14:49:18 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147368

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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	Iran
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the refusal by the government of Iran to admit Members of Parliament wishing to visit Iran for inter-parliamentary discussions on human rights.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2772
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text The Iranian government has not raised this issue with us. However, previous bilateral discussions over the last year have indicated that Iran views an expansion of UK/Iranian parliamentary dialogue as contingent on further progress in the broader UK/Iran bilateral relationship. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 17:05:06 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147369

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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	Iran
	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 Iran regarding Rasoul Abdollahi, imprisoned in Iran because of his religious beliefs.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2773
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text We remain deeply concerned by the detention and ill treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran, and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have not raised this individual case with the Iranian government. However, we have called for the Iranian government to end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, most recently at Iran’s Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights at the UN on 31 October. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 16:30:40 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147370

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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	Iran
	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 Iran regarding Mojtaba Seyyed Alaedin Hossein, imprisoned in Iran because of his religious beliefs.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2774
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the detention and ill treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran, and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have not raised this individual case with the Iranian Government. However, we have called for the Iranian government to end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, most recently at Iran’s Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights at the UN on 31 October.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 17:06:13 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147371

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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
	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 number, and current location, of Yezidis displaced by IS.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>The impact the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) atrocities have had on the Yezidi community and other civilians is devastating. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of communities on the basis of their religion, belief or ethnicity. <br><br>The UN estimates that 1.9 million people in Iraq have been displaced by the humanitarian emergency in total. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or ethnicity. We have therefore not carried out an assessment of the total number of Yezidis that have been displaced by ISIL and their current location, but will continue to work with the UN and the international community to ensure peoples’ basic needs are met.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 16:35:10 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

170940

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the reports of an attack on 13 December by Hindu radicals on a Christian pastor and his church members singing Christmas carols in Hyderabad.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL3847
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/12/2014 answer text <p>India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. The Indian government has a range of policies and programmes to support religious minorities. However, incidents of discrimination against minority communities in India do still occur. We are aware of the recent attack on a pastor in Hyderabad. The Chief Minister of Telangana Sri K Chandrashekar Rao made clear publicly that such attacks would not be tolerated.</p><p>The British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan met India’s new Minister of Minority Affairs, Dr Najma Heptulla, on 16 June to discuss a range of minority issues. Our High Commission in New Delhi discusses minority issues, including religious tolerance of Christians, with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with other relevant State level authorities. Minority rights were also discussed at the EU-India human rights dialogue on 27 November 2013. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the new Indian government about minority rights issues.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 31/12/2014 11:19:38 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

170941

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to, or discussions they have had with, the government of India regarding freedom of religion or belief in that country since the election of Prime Minister Modi.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL3848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/12/2014 answer text <p>The British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan met India’s new Minister of Minority Affairs, Dr Najma Heptulla, on 16 June to discuss a range of minority issues. Our High Commission in New Delhi discusses minority issues, including religious tolerance of Christians, with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with other relevant State level authorities. Minority rights were also discussed at the EU-India human rights dialogue on 27 November 2013. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the new Indian government about minority rights issues. <br><br>We also support religious and other minorities in India through the Department for International Development’s programme in India which helps to promote equal treatment and access to services for the most disadvantaged communities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 31/12/2014 11:27:37 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

178371

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2015
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the refusal of a visa by the government of India to Archbishop Roche.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4759
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2015 answer text We are aware that Archbishop Roche was refused a visa to travel to India. Decisions on issuing visas are a matter for the Indian government. The British Government is unable to intervene in another country’s visa procedure. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/02/2015 15:29:28 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

178372

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2015
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of whether coercion is being exercised on Indian citizens to reconvert to Hinduism.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2015 answer text <p>We are aware that incidents of discrimination against minority communities in India do still occur. India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. The Indian government has a range of policies and programmes to support religious minorities.</p><p>We discuss minority issues with the Indian authorities and support minority groups through the Department for International Development’s programme in India which helps to promote equal treatment and access to services for the most disadvantaged communities.</p><p>I refer the noble Baroness to my previous answers of 31 December 2014 (HL3847 and HL3848).</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 20/02/2015 13:47:29 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

224226

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2015
	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	The Gambia: Ahmadiyya
	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 situation of Ahmadi Muslims in The Gambia, particularly in the light of the statement made by the Gambian Supreme Islamic Council claiming them to be non-Muslims.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL5279
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2015 answer text <p>The British Government is concerned about the statement issued by the Gambian Supreme Islamic Council in January claiming that the Ahmadiyya community are not Muslims. The UK position on human rights is clear: they are universal and must apply equally to all people. This includes freedom of religion, and divergent views or interpretations should be allowed to co-exist. Our Embassy will be speaking to the Government of The Gambia about these statements and will continue to monitor developments closely.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/03/2015 12:17:03 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

423711

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2015
	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	Central African Republic: Politics and Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the security situation in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2975
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2015 answer text <p>The security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is grave. Outside the capital Bangui, violence, looting, road-blocks, hostage-taking and human rights abuses continue to occur with relative impunity.</p><br /><p>The security situation in Bangui is more stable than the rest of the country, having improved following the surge in violence in late September, but tensions still run high and we continue to advise against all travel to CAR.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2015 16:05:31 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

423712

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2015
	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	Central African Republic: Peacekeeping Operations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the United Kingdom contributes to the cost of the UN peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2976
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2015 answer text <p>The UK contributes £23.2 million for the financial year 2014/15, and a projected £33.02 million for the financial year 2015/16, to the UN Peacekeeping Budget for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). These are assessed (i.e. mandatory) contributions which are based on funding a fixed percentage of MINUSCA’s budget.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2015 16:05:07 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

423713

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2015
	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	Central African Republic
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the need for funds to enable the disarmament, demobilisation and re-integration of those perpetrating violence in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2977
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2015 answer text <p>Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) is essential to create the conditions for stability and security in the Central African Republic (CAR). The UN peacekeeping force in CAR, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), is the lead on DDR work in CAR. The UK works closely with MINUSCA to ensure it provides adequate support to CAR authorities to launch DDR in CAR.</p><p>MINUSCA has budgeted $28 million for a DDR programme aimed at what they expect will amount to 3,500 ex-Seleka fighters in total and 1,500-3,500 dependants. Through the UK’s contribution to MINUSCA, we support this vital work on pushing DDR forward in CAR.</p><p>MINUSCA is currently in the pre-DDR phase, preparing for the launch of DDR. This entails a sensitisation process/education process for former combatants who will take part in DDR.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2015 16:04:42 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

423714

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2015
	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	Central African Republic: Armed Conflict
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the Central African Republic should be included in the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2978
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2015 answer text Work in the Central African Republic (CAR) has been an important part of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative in recognition of the large role that sexual violence has played in the conflict in CAR which has included the sexual abuse of women and children, sexual slavery and rape. This work has, to date, been primarily carried out through our work with the African Union (AU). Since the launch of the initiative, the UK has provided £1.3 million to support the AU’s Gender Peace and Security Programme. This includes the deployment of sexual violence experts that were deployed to the CAR in 2014. These experts provided support to victims in the districts of Paoua, Kaga-Bandoro and Bambar. This Programme also supported the AU’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Madame Bineta Diop. We are working with the AU to build on this deployment and increase AU capacity to carry out similar deployments in the future. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 04/11/2015 14:04:51 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

47391

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that anti-balaka forces from the Central African Republic have attacked villages in Northern Cameroon.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL6623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>UK officials and their Cameroon counterparts hold regular discussions on the Central African Republic (CAR), including the impact of cross-border violence and refugees. We both agree that the international community's top priority is to protect civilians and stop the violence; this is in the best interests of both CAR and the region as a whole including Cameroon. We therefore welcome the continued efforts of African Union and French forces in CAR, and welcome the imminent deployment of European troops to provide further assistance.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

600516

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2016
	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	Asia Bibi
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last made representations to the government of Pakistan concerning the trial of Asia Bibi for blasphemy; what was the nature of those representations; and what was the response by the government of Pakistan to those representations.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2016 answer text <p>I remain concerned about Ms Asia Bibi, following the postponement of her Supreme Court appeal hearing on 13 October. The British High Commission in Islamabad continues to monitor developments in her case closely. We raise regularly our concerns about misuse of the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government, and continue to urge Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the rule of law. During his visit to Pakistan in March, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), made clear our concerns about minority communities and misuse of the blasphemy laws.</p><p>The UK supported the EU statement of October 2014 following the decision of the Lahore High Court to uphold the conviction of Ms Bibi. We will continue to work with our EU and other international partners to ensure our views are made clear to the Pakistani authorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2271 question first answered 24/10/2016 14:16:24 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

600518

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2016
	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	Pakistan: Blasphemy
	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 Pakistan about the application of the death penalty for blasphemy.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2016 answer text <p>I remain concerned about Ms Asia Bibi, following the postponement of her Supreme Court appeal hearing on 13 October. The British High Commission in Islamabad continues to monitor developments in her case closely. We raise regularly our concerns about misuse of the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government, and continue to urge Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the rule of law. During his visit to Pakistan in March, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), made clear our concerns about minority communities and misuse of the blasphemy laws.</p><p>The UK supported the EU statement of October 2014 following the decision of the Lahore High Court to uphold the conviction of Ms Bibi. We will continue to work with our EU and other international partners to ensure our views are made clear to the Pakistani authorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2269 question first answered 24/10/2016 14:16:24 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

657391

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	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: Ethnic Groups
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many resident heads of mission from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are from a black or minority ethnic background.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4025
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/12/2016 answer text <p>As of the 30 November, 5.3% of our Heads of Mission reported they were from a black or minority ethnic (BME) background (based on a 98% reporting rate).</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 23/12/2016 12:42:36 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

657393

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	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: Ethnic Groups
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many heads of mission to international organisations from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are from a black or minority ethnic background.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4026
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/12/2016 answer text <p>As of the 30 November, of the seven of Heads of Mission to international organisations that have reported their ethnicity (86% of the total number of Heads of Mission to international organisations), none are from a black or minority ethnic (BME) background.</p><p>Continuing to improve the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's record on diversity, equality and inclusion is fundamental to our aim of being the best diplomatic service in the world. We undertake a range of interventions to improve our leadership and management capability and to remove barriers to the progress of under-represented groups in the FCO, to help people reach their full potential. Action includes a bespoke talent development scheme for BME staff; role models from all backgrounds; diverse interview panels at all grades; diverse shortlists for senior positions as the norm; and outreach to attract diverse talent into the FCO, focused on BME candidates and those from a low-socio economic background.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 23/12/2016 12:43:12 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

657394

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2016
	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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Senior Civil Servants
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff members in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in the top five civil service grades; and how many of those are from a black or minority ethnic background.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/12/2016 answer text <p>As of the 30 November the total number of staff in the top five civil service grades and those that were from a black or minority ethnic (BME) background were:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Grade</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>Total number of staff who have reported an ethnicity</p></td><td><p>Those that reported they were BME</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>D7</p></td><td><p>430</p></td><td><p>368</p></td><td><p>22</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SMS1</p></td><td><p>263</p></td><td><p>230</p></td><td><p>11</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SMS2</p></td><td><p>102</p></td><td><p>92</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SMS3</p></td><td><p>27</p></td><td><p>24</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SMS4</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 23/12/2016 12:43:32 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

675183

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2017
	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	Central African Republic: Politics and Government
	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 current security situation in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4749
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2017 answer text <p>​Despite encouraging political advances in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2016, the security situation remains of grave concern. It is particularly bad outside the capital Bangui, where violence, looting and human rights abuses continue to occur with impunity with recent reports indicating that the violence has grown more severe since September 2016. We continue to advise against all travel to CAR.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 01/02/2017 17:00:48 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

675184

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2017
	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	Central African Republic: Armed Conflict
	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 a new armed militia group, 3R, operating in Cameroon and the Central African Republic border region; and of the capacity of that group, the weapons they possess, the impact on the distribution of aid in that region, and whether they control any territory in that border region.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4750
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2017 answer text <p>We are aware of the emergence of a new armed militia group called &quot;Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation,&quot; or &quot;3R&quot; which operates in the north of the Central African Republic (CAR). This group, and other militias operating in the transhumance corridors in the Ouham prefecture in northern CAR, are responsible for some of the most violent incidents reported in the country in the last 12 months.</p><p>We are also aware of recent claims that 3R is responsible for sexual violence, burning villages and displacing vulnerable people, with some reports listing the number of those displaced at 17,000. However, we do not hold information on the capacity of 3R or the weapons they possess.</p><p>We support President Touadera's efforts to implement disarmament, demobilization, repatriation and reintegration and call on all armed groups in the CAR to engage in the government's dialogue.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 01/02/2017 17:03:05 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

711983

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2017
	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	Religious Freedom
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy will be allocated in 2017–18 to projects on freedom of religion or belief.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL6121
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2017 answer text <p>Projects that directly support freedom of religion or belief remain an important element of the Magna Carta Fund programme. In 2017/18 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will spend £758,717 across six freedom of religion or belief projects. This equates to 7.2 percent of next year's Magna Carta Fund allocation and represents an increase on the funding awarded in 2016/17. This demonstrates Her Majesty's Government's continued commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief worldwide.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 30/03/2017 14:58:26 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

723772

	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	Egypt: Christianity
	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 Egypt regarding the bombings of the Coptic churches in Alexandria and Tanta in April.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL6814
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2017 answer text <p>We strongly condemn the recent attacks in Egypt against the Coptic Christian community, claimed by Daesh. The Government of Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of minorities and to the need to promote religious tolerance. We welcome President Sisi's calls for peaceful coexistence and the Government of Egypt's expression of support for the rights of Christians and for religious tolerance.</p><p>The UK Government continues to work closely with the Egyptian authorities on security and counter-terrorism.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 27/04/2017 12:11:33 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

723773

	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	Egypt: Christianity
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions, or meetings, they have had with (1) Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, and (2) the leadership of the Coptic Church in the UK, regarding the bombings of the Coptic churches in Alexandria and Tanta in April.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL6815
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2017 answer text <p>​We strongly condemn the recent attacks on the Coptic Christian community in Egypt, claimed by Daesh. Her Majesty's ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, met Pope Tawadros II on 22 April and offered his condolences. I regularly meet Bishop Angaelos, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, and passed on my sincere condolences following the abhorrent recent attacks. The British Government is committed to working with international partners, including Egypt, to strengthen the protection of freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 27/04/2017 12:21:26 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

79819

	registered interest
	date	30/07/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have met the administration of Kurdish-controlled Iraq since ISIS took control of other Iraqi regions; and in particular whether they have discussed the situation of Iraqi Christian refugees.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL1708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/08/2014 answer text <p>The former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met the President and Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq on 27 June, and our Consul General in Erbil regularly meets the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and others to discuss the humanitarian crisis and assistance to displaced persons including Christians from Mosul. Most recently the Consul General met the Head of the KRG’s Department for Foreign Relations on 6 August to discuss the specific needs of Christians and other minority groups including Yezidis fleeing from Sinjar. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials meet regularly with the KRG representation to the UK, and have done so several times since the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) attacks on Mosul and other parts of Iraq in mid June 2014.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 18/08/2014 10:00:43 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

810422

	registered interest
	date	21/12/2017
	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	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 statistics published by Aid to the Church in Need showing that there were 316 attacks on Christians in the first five months of 2017 compared to 365 incidents in the whole of 2016; what representations they have made to the government of India regarding the rise in violence towards religious minorities; and what assessment they have made of the situation of religious minorities in India.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4390
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/01/2018 answer text <p>The Government condemns all instances of discrimination and violence against individuals or groups because of their religion, regardless of the country or faith concerned.</p><p>We regularly engage with Indian counterparts on a range of human rights issues, including minority rights. The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. We are aware of reported incidents against religious minorities in India and continue to monitor the situation.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 08/01/2018 15:16:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

810423

	registered interest
	date	21/12/2017
	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	Nigeria: 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 the current levels of violence between religious groups in Nigeria, and of an estimate by the 2017 Global Terrorism Index which states that 60,000 people have been killed in clashes between predominantly Muslim Fulani Herders and predominantly Christian farmers; and what representations have been made to the government of Nigeria about the levels of religious violence in that country.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4391
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/01/2018 answer text <p>We are concerned by recurrent clashes involving pastoralists and local farmers over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water. They have a serious impact on lives and communities of all faiths and are a major barrier to Nigeria's economic development. We discuss the issue with Federal and State Governments and encourage them to work with the affected populations on all sides of the conflict to develop a solution. We welcome President Buhari's commitment to focus on assisting the affected communities, bringing perpetrators to justice and examining longer term peaceful solutions to the conflict.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 08/01/2018 15:20:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

899924

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2018
	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	Nigeria: Violence
	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 collusion between Boko Haram and armed Fulani Herders in Nigeria.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL7587
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2018 answer text <p>Boko Haram is known to cooperate with criminal gangs and use illicit networks to facilitate the movement of weapons and people. However, there is no evidence to show collusion between insurgent groups and Fulani Herders.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 16/05/2018 12:51:03 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

899925

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2018
	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	Leah Sharibu
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the government of Nigeria to return Leah Sharibu safely from Boko Haram.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL7588
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary spoke to Vice President Osinbajo on 26 February and extended an offer of additional UK assistance following the abductions from Dapchi. We continue to call for the release of the remaining Chibok girls, and all those abducted by Boko Haram. Attacks on schools and abductions of children are abhorrent and must stop. It is important that all abductees released or recovered receive appropriate support, including for their families. The UK remains resolute in its support for Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.</p><p>The UK provides a substantial and growing package of intelligence, military and development support to help Nigeria fight terrorism. This includes training and advice for Nigerian armed forces deploying against Boko Haram and £5 million to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional taskforce against Boko Haram.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 16/05/2018 12:52:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

968765

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2018
	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	Bangladesh: Demonstrations
	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 security situation in Bangladesh following recent security forces' responses to the road safety protests in Dhaka.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL10049
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2018 answer text <p>​I was deeply concerned by the violence we saw in Dhaka in response to road safety protests by students following the tragic deaths of two school age students on 29 July. In a statement on 7 August, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Alison Blake, together with other EU Heads of Mission, called on government to investigate incidents of unlawful or disproportionate violence or action against protestors and journalists and to hold perpetrators to account. Subsequently, Joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development Minister Alistair Burt expressed our concern regarding the response to the road safety protests with the Government of Bangladesh, during his visit to Bangladesh from 28-31 August. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We raised freedom of expression as a key concern in Bangladesh during the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/09/2018 14:36:00 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

968766

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2018
	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	Bangladesh: Demonstrations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to Bangladeshi authorities about the arrest of Shahidul Alam following comments he made about the road safety protests in Dhaka.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL10050
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2018 answer text <p>​I was deeply concerned by the violence we saw in Dhaka in response to road safety protests by students following the tragic deaths of two school age students on 29 July, and the subsequent arrest of Mr. Shahidul Alam. In a statement on 7 August, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Alison Blake, together with other EU Heads of Mission, called on government to investigate incidents of unlawful or disproportionate violence or action against protestors and journalists and to hold perpetrators to account. Subsequently, Joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development Minister Alistair Burt expressed our concern regarding the response to the road safety protests, and raised Mr Alam's case, with the Government of Bangladesh, during his visit to Bangladesh from 28-31 August. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We raised freedom of expression as a key concern in Bangladesh during the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/09/2018 14:35:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge