We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the Prime Minister\u2019s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK\u2019s support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4053", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Derbyshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mrs Heather Wheeler"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "291142"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-30T12:26:20.263Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review"} , "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 progress his Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro\u2019s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"} ], "uin" : "291141"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146191", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1146191/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the Prime Minister\u2019s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK\u2019s support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4053", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Derbyshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mrs Heather Wheeler"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "291141"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-30T12:26:20.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review"} , "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, which recommendations of the Bishop of Truro\u2019s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians are being prioritised; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"} ], "uin" : "291142"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138608", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138608/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
\u200bWe regularly make representations on Mr Johal<\/strong>'s behalf, including raising his right to a fair trial. Our High Commissioner in India raised this with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK most recently on 10 June.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-17T14:41:27.283Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Jagtar Singh Johal"}
, "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 discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on the time taken to conduct the trial of Jagtar Singh Johal in that country.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "276588"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1136080", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1136080/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " \u200bOur consular staff in India visit Mr Johal regularly to monitor his welfare and ensure he is able to access his legal representatives. They last visited Mr Johal on 27 June. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial processes of other countries any more than we would accept interference in our own judicial system. However, we can consider approaching the authorities if there are concerns that a trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases. In our representations to the Government of India on Mr Johal's behalf, we have raised his right to a fair trial.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-09T15:06:04.713Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Jagtar Singh Johal"}
, "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 (a) reassurances about the health of Jagtar Singh Johal and (b) information on when he will (i) stand trial or (ii) be released his Department has received from the Indian Government.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "271575"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134838", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134838/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We make frequent representations on Mr Johal<\/strong>'s behalf. Most recently, the British High Commissioner to India raised Mr Johal<\/strong>'s case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 10 May, and with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK on 10 June. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific also raised Mr Johal<\/strong>'s case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 12 March. The Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Asia and the Pacific met with Mr Johal's family and their MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes on 24 April. Our consular staff in India continue to regularly visit Mr Johal<\/strong>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1466", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Wiltshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Andrew Murrison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-01T16:42:11.673Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Jagtar Singh Johal"}
, "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 progress he has made with his Indian counterpart on securing the release of Jagtar Singh Johal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "269756"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1077394", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1077394/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I visited Iraq last month and held useful discussions with leaders from the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Governemnt. We discussed how the UK and Iraq could cooperate together to promote peace and stability in Iraq. I announced a further £30 million in funding to help rebuild Iraq and reinvigorate the economy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-26T17:33:08.423Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iraq: Politics and Government"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "What recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to support peace and stability in Iraq.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "909450"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/869260", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/869260/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The UK is taking a leading role in ending the illegal wildlife trade globally. The Government is funding practical action to reduce demand, strengthen enforcement and develop sustainable livelihoods in the communities affected by the illegal wildlife trade. We will host an ambitious high-level international conference in October to push for further progress.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-27T15:43:59.223Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wildlife: Smuggling"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "What steps his Department is taking to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "904591"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/845719", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/845719/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have not had discussions with the Government of Gibraltar on this particular issue. The Government of Gibraltar is responsible for the provision of legislation related to economic matters, including blockchain licensing regulations, to the extent they do not otherwise cross into matters falling within the Governor's special responsibilities.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/343", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rutland and Melton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Alan Duncan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-28T16:11:39.733Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gibraltar: ICT"}
, "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 have had with Gibraltar on their blockchain licensing regulations.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "128691"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/790157", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/790157/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave to question 112308.\u200b\u200b<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1405", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Field"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cities of London and Westminster"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Field"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-24T14:03:12.907Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "India: Sikhs"}
, "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 initiate an independent inquiry into the role of the Government in the 1984 killing of Sikhs in India.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "113157"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/786862", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/786862/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " \u200bI am aware of the concerns raised by the Sikh Federation UK in their report released on 1 November. I appreciate that the tragic events of 1984 are still the source of great pain to many in the Sikh community. The Cabinet Secretary's 2014 investigation into the UK military role in Operation Blue Star concluded that UK military advice and assistance was advisory, ended several months before the operation and had limited impact on the tragic events that followed. I am satisfied that the 2014 review dealt conclusively with this issue.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1405", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mark Field"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cities of London and Westminster"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Field"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-20T17:02:07.38Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "India: Sikhs"}
, "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 initiate an independent inquiry into the role of the British Government in circumstances surrounding the killing of Sikhs in India in 1984.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4635", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Eddie Hughes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Walsall North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Eddie Hughes"}
], "uin" : "112308"}
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