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1664948
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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unstar this property answer text <p>We recognise the significance of the award of the Václav Havel Prize to Osman Kavala and the subsequent PACE debate. The award and the overwhelming vote in favour of his release highlight that Osman Kavala remains in prison, despite the two European Court of Human Rights rulings calling for his immediate release. The UK has consistently joined this call. We will continue to work with Council of Europe Member States including Turkey, to find a solution to the situation.</p> more like this
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1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664949
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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answer
unstar this property answer text <p>The UK welcomes the Council of Europe (CoE) Parliamentary Assembly's 9 October debate on the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro. The UK understands the importance of election monitoring. We supported a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to provide early projections of election results, as part of a package of CSSF-funded projects to strengthen election integrity against destabilising influences. We now look forward to government formation and furthering our support for Montenegro to conduct free and fair democratic processes and to strengthen electoral practices in line with Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and CoE recommendations.</p> more like this
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1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664950
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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unstar this property answer text <p>The UK welcomed the debate on far-right ideology and human rights within Europe. We put open societies and the protection of human rights around the world at the heart of what we do. Ideologies aiming to undermine human rights, democracy and rule of law are in direct opposition of our core values.</p><p>The UK takes the challenge of far-right ideology seriously. Our counter terrorism strategy CONTEST is threat agnostic, and applicable and effective in tackling Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism. We continue to work with our partners to defend democracy and freedom globally and hold those who violate human rights to account.</p> more like this
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1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664951
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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answer
unstar this property answer text <p>We greatly value the work of the UK delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and welcome this debate, following the monitoring committee's report. The UK welcomes the French initiative to assess and reform the legal and judicial systems within France. The UK and France will continue to work closely together at the Council of Europe.</p> more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664952
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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unstar this property answer text <p>We echo the sentiments of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in wishing strength to all those who have become victims of the enormous tragedy in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We express our steadfast and united support to Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. Hamas does not speak for or act in the interests of the Palestinian people. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself and its military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. The Prime Minister has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 12 October. He reiterated the need to ensure the protection of innocent civilians and underlined the importance of safe humanitarian access to Gaza.</p><p>The UK Government has authorised the sending of a significant support package to the region, UK military assets will support regional stability and prevent escalation. On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced a further £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the escalating conflict. We will continue to work with our regional partners so that essential aid can reach civilian populations in Gaza including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.</p>
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1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664953
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Home Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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unstar this property answer text <p>The UK’s National Cyber Strategy commits the UK to countering the proliferation of high-end cyber capabilities and reducing the opportunity for states and organised crime groups to access them via commercial and criminal marketplaces, as well as tackling forums that enable, facilitate, or glamorise cyber criminality.</p><p>With respect to spyware specifically, it is vital that all cyber capabilities are used in ways that are legal, responsible, and proportionate to ensure cyberspace remains a safe and prosperous place for everyone. In March 2023, the United Kingdom signed the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware alongside 10 other like-minded countries, including the United States. As part of this, the UK and other signatories recognised the threat posed by the misuse of commercial spyware, such as Pegasus, and the need to strictly control its proliferation at both a domestic and international level.</p><p>The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 provides a legal framework for the use of investigatory powers by UK law enforcement and the intelligence community where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. The Act also contains strong safeguards, including a ‘double lock’, which requires warrants for the most intrusive powers to be authorised by a Secretary of State (or Chief Constable in case of Law Enforcement) and approved by a Judicial Commissioner, as well as rigorous independent oversight of their use by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.</p>
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1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664954
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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answer
unstar this property answer text <p>The UK values the work of the Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe as well as our UK delegation in debating these important issues. The UK reaffirms its commitment to preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in all their diversity and we welcome calls for the intensification of efforts to address this violence.</p><p>The debate included reaffirming the commitments made to women and girls with disabilities outlined in the Istanbul Convention. As a ratifier of both the Istanbul Convention and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UK is clear on our international commitments to upholding the rights of women and girls in all their diversity and preventing violence against them and prioritises this through policies and action at home and overseas.</p> more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664955
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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unstar this property answer text <p>The UK recognises the vital role the Council of Europe has played in preventing conflict within Europe and wider member states since it was founded in 1949 following World War II. The Council's recent work in establishing a Register of Damages caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine is a good example of how a regional organisation can react swiftly in response to situations of conflict. The work of the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee of Ministers plays an important role in securing rights and freedoms across Europe, including against the threats to democracy at our doorstep.</p> more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664956
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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unstar this property answer text <p>The UK supports the Council of Europe's role in highlighting the devastating consequences of Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, and welcomes the work of its Parliamentary Assembly in this regard. We support Ukraine's efforts to promote the principles needed to underpin a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter, including President Zelenskyy's 'ten-point peace formula'. There is broad international consensus that for peace to be lasting it must be based on respect for the UN Charter, international law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.</p> more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1664957
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office more like this
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25259
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WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
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answer
unstar this property answer text <p>The UK noted the debate held at the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe on the Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and looks forward to the outcomes of the recent visit of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to the region. We welcome the continued high levels of international engagement on these issues, the successful peaceful resolution of which are vital to the ongoing stability of the South Caucasus.</p> more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
unstar this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this