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1196530

	registered interest
	date	18/05/2020
	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	Kashmir: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Government of India on Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	48403
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>We are in regular contact with the Indian Government regarding the situation in Kashmir. The Foreign Secretary most recently spoke about Kashmir with India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on 20 April. Our longstanding position is that it is for India and Pakistan to identify a lasting, political resolution that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to mediate or prescribe a solution.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 02/06/2020 08:05:11 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1195508

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2020
	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	Kashmir: Coronavirus
	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 discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on internet communication between UK citizens with friends and family in Indian-administered Kashmir during the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	46633
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>We are in regular contact with the Indian Government regarding the situation in Kashmir. The Foreign Secretary most recently spoke about Kashmir with Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar on 20 April. We remain concerned about ongoing restrictions on internet services in India-administered Kashmir and call for these to be lifted as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 18/05/2020 16:10:45 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1183871

	registered interest
	date	10/03/2020
	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: Press Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affair, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China 2019 survey findings on intimidation and harassment of journalists in China.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	27534
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned by the credible findings of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China's Annual Report. On 2 March, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad publicly set out his concerns that more foreign journalists in China are facing visa restrictions, and more are being harassed, intimidated and monitored by the authorities.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 19/03/2020 16:08:57 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1175582

	registered interest
	date	03/02/2020
	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: Nationality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on international human rights of (a) recent protests against and (b) allegations of mistreatment of people arrested under the Government of India's Citizenship Amendment Act.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	11491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2020 answer text <p>The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India are following reports on the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens, as well as the Government of India's response. We raise our concerns with the Government of India where appropriate. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon discussed the Government of India's intent with the CAA, and public response to the legislation, with India's Minister of State for External Affairs on 19 December 2019. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials also raised the issue with the High Commission of India in London on 14 January.</p><p>India has a proud history of inclusive government and religious tolerance. Post-election, Prime Minister Modi promised to continue this under the guiding principles of &quot;together with all, development for all, trust of all&quot;. We trust the Government of India will provide reassurances to its citizens who are expressing concern about the impact this legislation may have. We will continue to monitor the situation.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 06/02/2020 15:36:02 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1175583

	registered interest
	date	03/02/2020
	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	Human Rights
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to promote (a) human rights and (b) secular government throughout the world.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	11492
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2020 answer text <p>The UK is committed to protecting and promoting human rights throughout the world through both bilateral and multilateral engagement, by working with and supporting human rights defenders, who play an essential role in upholding and promoting respect for human rights, democratic freedoms and civil society. We regularly raise concerns about countries that do not comply with their human rights obligations at the UN Human Rights Council, the Council of Europe and other multilateral fora; the UK has provided recommendations at every country's Universal Periodic Review since it began in 2008.</p><p>Additionally, we work to support democracies across the globe, whether secular or otherwise, as the system that best allows for societies that are more secure, more prosperous, and better equipped to meet the needs of their people. Effective democracy allows people to discuss and debate issues freely, to challenge their governments and to make informed decisions. Through our work with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and others, the UK works to strengthen democracy and to create inclusive, accountable and transparent democratic systems across the globe.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 06/02/2020 16:17:18 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168740

	registered interest
	date	20/12/2019
	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	India: Nationality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect on the human rights of Muslims in India of that Government's recent decision to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	282
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The British Government and the British High Commission in New Delhi are following the human rights situation across India and raise issues with Indian officials where appropriate.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:39:07 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168743

	registered interest
	date	20/12/2019
	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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his timescale is for implementing the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	284
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The British government is committed to implementing the recommendations from the Bishop of Truro's Review. The recommendations have been divided into short, medium and longer term priorities and we have already implemented a good number of them. This includes recently appointing a Director General level champion for Freedom of Religion or Belief and marking Red Wednesday in support of persecuted Christians and members of other minority groups. Some of the recommendations will take longer to implement and many will require an ongoing effort to embed into the working practice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Departments.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:44:12 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168744

	registered interest
	date	20/12/2019
	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	Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will (a) reappoint and (b) adequately resource the Prime Minister's Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	285
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>Rehman Chishti MP has been reappointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. Funding has been agreed for the office which should adequately cover travel and administrative costs.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:46:15 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168472

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	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	Kashmir: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) humanitarian and (b) political situation in Indian-administered Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	107
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>We are following the situation in Kashmir closely. Events in Kashmir can have regional and international implications and we urge calm and caution from all. We encourage the Government of India to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the people of India-administered Kashmir are being met. It is important that individual rights are fully respected and that there is constructive dialogue with affected communities. We have raised our concerns, including on the continued use of detentions and restrictions on communications, with the Government of India,​ most recently during Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon's meeting with Indian MEA Minsiter Muraleedharan on 19 December.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:09:14 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168473

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	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	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 human rights situation affecting Uighur Muslims in China; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	108
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>We have particularly serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in “political re-education camps”, systematic restrictions on Uyghur culture and the practice of Islam, and extensive and invasive surveillance targeting minorities. Reports indicating that forced labour is being used and children are being forcibly separated from their parents add to the growing body of evidence about the disturbing situation that Uyghurs and other minorities are facing in Xinjiang.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:12:29 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1167185

	registered interest
	date	29/10/2019
	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	Kashmir: Cluster Munitions
	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 his Answer of 24 October 2019 to Question 5006, for what reason he did not provide an assessment of the accuracy of reports on the use of cluster munitions by Indian security forces against civilians in Kashmir.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	7130
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>We recognise the concerns surrounding the reported use of cluster munitions by Indian security forces in Kashmir, however ​it is difficult to judge the accuracy of information relating to incidents across the Line of Control. We strongly discourage states from using cluster munitions and urge non-States Parties such as India to accede to the Cluster Munitions Convention without delay. We continue to urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and improve channels of communication.</p><p> </p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 04/11/2019 17:41:56 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1167186

	registered interest
	date	29/10/2019
	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	Cluster Munitions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether it is Government policy that the use of cluster munitions against civilians constitutes a grave violation of human rights.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	7131
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>Attacks directed against civilians constitute a breach of international humanitarian law, irrespective of the weapon used. We discourage states from using cluster munitions, and urge states not party to the Cluster Munitions Convention to accede without delay.​</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 04/11/2019 15:30:11 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1156075

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2019
	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	Kashmir: Cluster Munitions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of claims made by the Pakistani Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari in a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that India has used cluster munitions in Kashmir.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	5006
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of reports of the use of cluster munitions by Indian security forces. We discourage states from using cluster munitions, and urge non-States Parties such as India to accede to the Cluster Munitions Convention without delay.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 29/10/2019 13:23:57 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1156076

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2019
	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	Kashmir: Human Rights
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports of alleged human rights abuses in Indian-administered Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	5007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>​We recognise that there are human rights concerns in India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegations of human rights violations and abuses are deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly, transparently and independently.</p><p>We are in regular contact with the Governments of India and Pakistan and have discussed the situation in Kashmir, including the issue of human rights. We will continue to monitor the situation in Kashmir closely.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 29/10/2019 13:26:53 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1156077

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2019
	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	Kashmir: India
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to acquire accurate information on the situation on the ground in Indian-administered Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	5008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>​We are following the situation in Kashmir closely and are in regular contact with the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan. The Prime Minister has spoken to both Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Khan about the situation in Kashmir. The Foreign Secretary has spoken to the Indian Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar. The Minister for South Asia has discussed the situation with the Indian Minister for Minority Affairs and engages regularly with the Indian and Pakistani High Commissioners. In addition our High Commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad are also engaging the Indian and Pakistani Governments and monitoring events and developments closely. Events in Kashmir can have regional and international implications and we continue to urge calm and caution from all.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 29/10/2019 13:30:23 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1138804

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	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	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports of Uighur Muslim children in western Xinjiang being separated from their parents; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
	uin	277175
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>Reports about forced separation of children, including Dr Adrian Zenz's report of 4 July 2019, add to the growing body of evidence about the disturbing situation that Uyghurs and other minorities are facing in Xinjiang. We assess that there could be more than a million Uyghurs and other minorities who have been or are currently detained extra-judicially in detention camps in the province. As Mr Field explained in a Westminster Hall debate on 29 January 2019, these detentions have split up families and have had a significant impact on the children of those detained.</p><p>We also frequently raise our concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang bilaterally with the Chinese Government and in multilateral fora. Most recently on 3 July at the 41<sup>st</sup> session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, we noted our increasing concern at the growing use of detention camps in Xinjiang and re-iterated our call on China to allow UN observers unrestricted access.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 23/07/2019 16:10:55 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker