During my visit to Colombia in June 2014 I met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Heads of the Colombian government\u2019s major human rights agencies. I set out the UK\u2019s concerns regarding attacks against human rights defenders and cases of impunity for those responsible. I also handed over a list of specific cases that our Embassy in Bogotá has been monitoring.
The Director of the National Protection Unit explained that Colombia has the largest protection system for human rights defenders anywhere in the world. The Attorney-General\u2019s office confirmed that sentences for those attacking human rights defenders were rising (including sentences against servicemen).
Improving the respect for human rights in Colombia remains a top priority for the government of President Santos, and the UK welcomes the progress they have made, while noting that there is, of course, still more that can be done. I am delighted to be co-hosting a Members\u2013only \u2018Dialogue on Colombia\u2019 on 10 March, which His Excellency Mr Néstor Osorio is kindly holding at the Colombian Embassy in London. This highlights the willingness of both our governments to engage with parliamentarians on human rights issues.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1408", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Swire"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Hugo Swire"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-02T14:45:05.653Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Colombia"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2014 to Question 211346, what response the Colombian government provided to the Minister for Latin American Affairs when human rights were raised during the Minister's visit in June 2014; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"}
], "uin" : "225466"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223589", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223589/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK Government has gifted £1.266m in protective gear (helmets, body armour), medical kits, winter clothing and winter fuel to the Ukraine Armed Forces. In addition to this, 10 armoured vehicles at a cost of £1.2m were also gifted to the OSCE\u2019s Special Monitoring Mission.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/15", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Lidington"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aylesbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Lidington"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T14:47:56.633Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ukraine"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what military equipment has been gifted to Ukraine in the last two years; and what estimate he has made of the value of that equipment when it was gifted.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angus Robertson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Moray"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angus Robertson"} ], "uin" : "225372"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223612", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223612/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have condemned these horrific suicide bombings in northern Nigeria, which are heinous examples of Boko Haram\u2019s brutality. We discuss Boko Haram's ongoing campaign of violence with the Nigerian government on a regular basis. We remain committed to helping the Nigerian authorities defeat Boko Haram and end the violence in northern Nigeria, and are providing a substantial package of military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria to help achieve that goal.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir James Duddridge"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochford and Southend East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Duddridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T17:27:48.427Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nigeria"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Nigerian government on the two recent suicide bombings in the north of that country.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"} ], "uin" : "225398"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223613", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223613/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are concerned with the increasing political tensions in the Maldives and the arrest on 22 February 2015 of former President Mohamed Nasheed on charges of terrorism. I issued a statement on 26 February urging calm across the Maldives and calling for all political parties to act with moderation and restraint. I also expressed concern at the continued detention of former President Nasheed, and that it is made clear the importance for international confidence in the Maldives that Mr Nasheed, like all other citizens, is seen to be enjoying due legal process and respect for his fundamental rights. I have also raised these concerns directly with the Maldives Foreign Minister.
The UK continues to coordinate with the US, Commonwealth, EU and others.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1408", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Swire"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Hugo Swire"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-02T14:27:00.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Maldives"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the Maldives.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
], "uin" : "225391"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223614", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223614/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The British Embassy in Prague was in contact with the Czech police throughout this incident and monitored the situation closely. No British citizens were involved in the incident. Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/15", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Lidington"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aylesbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Lidington"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T14:39:31.357Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Czechia"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Czech government on the shooting of eight people in a restaurant in Uherský Brod on 24 February 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"} ], "uin" : "225403"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223615", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223615/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have no immediate plans to meet my Philippines counterpart. However, there is ongoing dialogue with the Philippines on this issue, including regular contact through our Embassy in Manila, and with the Philippine delegates to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Climate change has also been discussed during senior British visits to the Philippines - for example when Sir Simon Fraser, the Permanent Under Secretary to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited in December 2014, and when Sir David King, Special Representative on Climate Change, visited in February 2014.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1408", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Swire"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Hugo Swire"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-02T14:29:59.873Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Philippines"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2015 to Question 223612, whether he plans to meet his counterpart in the Philippines to discuss climate change.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1591", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tim Farron"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Westmorland and Lonsdale"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tim Farron"}
], "uin" : "225378"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223616", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223616/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The review of the Balance of Competences provides the most extensive analysis of the impact of EU membership ever undertaken by the UK or any Member State. Across the entire review, the reports draw on nearly 2,300 pieces of evidence. The reports provide a wealth of evidence that supports the government\u2019s aim to reform the EU to make it more open, competitive, flexible and democratically accountable, with fair treatment of countries inside and outside the eurozone for the benefit of everyone in Europe. This includes the need for a broader and deeper Single Market, greater competitiveness and flexibility, better (and less) regulation and more transparent and accountable institutions and processes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/15", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Lidington"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aylesbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr David Lidington"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T14:46:43.463Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "EU Reform"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the outcome of the Government's Balance of Competences Review on his Department's policy on EU reforms.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "225414"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223617", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223617/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The honourable Member should contact the Department for Natural Resources within the Falkland Islands Government, who can supply her with this information.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1408", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Swire"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Devon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Hugo Swire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T17:40:50.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Falkland Islands"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many of the (a) vessels and (b) companies which have been sold licences to fish in the Falkland Islands in each of the last three years have been found guilty of criminal behaviour in other legal jurisdictions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1564", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angela Smith"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penistone and Stocksbridge"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angela Smith"} ], "uin" : "225445"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223618", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223618/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We strongly condemned the attacks on churches and other buildings in Niger in January, which followed the \u201cJe suis Charlie\u201d rally in Paris. The UK will continue to raise the importance of freedom of belief and expression with the Nigerien Government, bilaterally and in concert with international partners such as the EU. However, we welcome the Nigerien government's condemnation of the attacks.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir James Duddridge"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochford and Southend East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Duddridge"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T17:29:50.63Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Niger"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the government of Niger to press for further action to be taken against people perpetrating attacks on civilians and church property.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"} ], "uin" : "225459"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223619", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/223619/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei has held discussions with the Taiwanese authorities over fishing issues around the Falklands, most commonly regarding fishing licences.<\/p>
Although we have not raised labour conditions aboard Taiwanese flagged vessels in recent conversations, we are seeking to approach the Taiwanese authorities on this issue.<\/p>
The Falkland Islands Government has devolved responsibility for the Falkland Islands' fishing industry, including its legislation, regulations, and licensing.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1408", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Swire"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Devon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Hugo Swire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-03-04T17:39:41.25Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Taiwan"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Taiwanese government on labour conditions on board Taiwanese-flagged vessels operating in Falkland Islands waters in each of the last two years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1564", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angela Smith"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penistone and Stocksbridge"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angela Smith"} ], "uin" : "225443"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&AnsweringBody.=Foreign+and+Commonwealth+Office&dateTabled=2015-02-25", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 26, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }