The United Kingdom is committed to defending freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as set out in international law. We attach great importance to referring to 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' in publications, as we assess this best captures the freedom to have a faith, belief, or no belief at all. On occasion, the British Government has referred to 'religious freedom' as a short-hand, but we strive to ensure that 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' is referred as often as practicable, particularly in formal publications.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-18T17:32:09.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Religious Freedom"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the consistency with which the term \u201cfreedom of religion or belief\u201d is used in their publications instead of \u201creligious freedom\u201d; and what steps they will take to ensure that only the term \u201cfreedom of religion or belief\u201d is used.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Whitaker"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Whitaker"} ], "uin" : "HL2530"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1180212", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1180212/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are aware of reports that Iran's Baha'i community are being prevented from obtaining identity cards under new rules, depriving them of accessing many basic services. We remain concerned about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority religious groups face. We support the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran is sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief to all Iranians.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-04T12:55:58.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-02-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iran: Baha'i Faith"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Iran\u2019s Baha'i minority are being prevented from obtaining identity cards under new rules, thereby depriving them of basic civil rights.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Whitaker"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Whitaker"} ], "uin" : "HL1834"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1130637", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1130637/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador for Human Rights engages bilaterally with States to support the Permanent Representative in delivery of their human rights obligations and represents the Government's position in the Human Rights Council in Geneva.<\/p>
The Government recognises that the manner of the removal of Chagossians from the British Indian Ocean Territory in the 1960s and 1970s was wrong. Substantial compensation (around £15.5 million in current prices) has been paid to Chagossians since that time. British courts and the European Court of Human Rights have confirmed that compensation has been paid in full and final settlement.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-20T11:44:16.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ilois: Human Rights"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador for Human Rights will take to promote the human rights of people who were evicted from the Chagos Islands between 1968 and 1973.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Whitaker"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Whitaker"} ], "uin" : "HL16181"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124909", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124909/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
\u200bI refer to the statement I made on 30 April 2019, Official Report<\/em>, col HLWS1491. An International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion is advice provided to the United Nations General Assembly at its request; it is not a legally binding judgment. The Government respects the ICJ and has considered the content of the Opinion carefully, however, we do not share the Court's approach. This and former Governments have expressed sincere regret about the manner in which Chagossians were removed from the British Indian Ocean Territory in the late 1960s and early 1970s.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-15T13:51:06.01Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the communiqué from the government of Mauritius on 30 April that the UK\u2019s actions over the Chagos Archipelago are \u201cin flagrant disregard of the \u2026 conclusions of the International Court of Justice\u201d; are \u201can affront to the rule of law\u201d; and have perpetuated \u201ca historically wrongful act vis-à-vis the forcibly evicted inhabitants of those islands.\u201d", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Whitaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Whitaker"}
], "uin" : "HL15584"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1042929", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1042929/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Our Embassy in Sofia regularly engages with the Bulgarian government and local authorities setting out the economic and social benefits of Roma integration. It is active in promoting minority rights in Bulgaria, with our Ambassador playing a prominent role in the \u2018Friends of Roma\u2019 Ambassadors Group, which supports initiatives related to inclusion and education.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-23T16:09:20.97Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bulgaria: Roma"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Bulgaria about (1) the demolition of Roma homes in Voivodinovo and other places with no offer of new housing, and (2) the adequacy of roads, water, sewage systems, and rubbish collection in Roma settlements in Bulgaria.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Whitaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Whitaker"}
], "uin" : "HL12920"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994372", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994372/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We are concerned by restrictions on freedom of expression, including the detention of human rights activists, in Pakistan. The freedom to hold and express views without censorship, intimidation or unnecessary restriction is a cornerstone of democracy. The arrest of Gulalai Ismail is a further worrying development against the backdrop of restrictions on fundamental rights in Pakistan.<\/p> We regularly raise at a senior level our concerns about the human rights situation with the Government of Pakistan, including on the freedom of expression. I discussed human rights in Pakistan with the Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, in September 2018. The British Government continues to urge Pakistan to honour in full its human rights obligations.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-06T16:20:20.527Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gulalai Ismail"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the government of Pakistan to restore the right to travel of Gulalai Ismail who was arrested on her return to Pakistan.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Whitaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Whitaker"}
], "uin" : "HL11016"}
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