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174732

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Colombia
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 Amnesty International on human rights in Colombia.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	221442
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London held a roundtable meeting on 28 October 2014 with Amnesty International, ABColombia, Peace Brigades International, CORE Coalition as well as two Colombian community Leaders, Ms Yomaira Mendoza and Mr Enrique Cabezas, to discuss human rights in Colombia, including the threats against human rights defenders and land claimants. <br><br>Subsequently, on 28 November, an official attended Amnesty International's briefing on their report on the progress of the Land Restitution Law, entitled 'A Land Title is not Enough: Ensuring Sustainable Land Restitution in Colombia'. Our Embassy in Bogota has subsequently held several conversations with Amnesty International regarding the Afro-descendant community of La Toma, Cauca, which is affected by mining. Our officials will meet Amnesty International in London again this month.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 14:51:15 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

174733

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Democratic Republic of Congo
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 support the Government has given to the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	221357
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK is making a significant contribution to international efforts to promote stability, development and greater democratisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). DFID’s programme in the DRC will spend £790 million over the years 2011-2016 and is committed to addressing the urgent needs of the most vulnerable and poorest people.</p><p>DFID’s operational plan, updated in December 2014, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389482/DRC_Operational_Plan.pdf outlines how HMG will use its role as the second biggest bilateral donor in DRC to deliver support and expertise in a wide range of sectors; most notably in humanitarian assistance, security sector reform, education, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) and private sector development.</p><p>We strongly support the role played by MONUSCO, the UN’s biggest peacekeeping mission, in resolving the conflict in the eastern part of the DRC, and our contribution to MONUSCO in 2014-2015 is estimated to be £61 million. UK diplomatic influence supports efforts to build a stronger, more stable and more prosperous future in the DRC, making conflict and humanitarian crises less likely.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 14:40:04 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

174734

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Russia
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 EU counterparts on expansion of the sanctions regime on Russia.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	221358
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2015 answer text <p>I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commowealth Affairs, my right hon. friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), to the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) on 20 January 2015 (PQ 907106) official report column 77. The UK and our EU partners have been very clear with Russia about what it needs to do for the easing of sanctions to be considered. Conversely, if it continues to ignore its obligations under the Minsk agreements, and continues to destabilise Ukraine, we will need to consider strengthening our sanctions.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 26/01/2015 16:25:27 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

174735

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Sri Lanka
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 his Department has made of the election in Sri Lanka and the prospects for an independent war crime inquiry in that country.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	221359
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>The Sri Lankan Presidential Election was generally peaceful and well-managed with a high voter turnout. We commend Sri Lanka’s Election Commission for its conduct of the election, and all Sri Lanka’s political parties and people for accepting the final result and committing to the peaceful transfer of power. The result on the day reflected the will of the Sri Lankan people.</p><p> </p><p>However, we also note the view of Commonwealth Observers that an inadequate electoral and legal framework coupled with an unequal pre-electoral environment, meant the election contest fell short of key benchmarks for democratic elections. We hope that this is something Sri Lanka will now address, with the support of the international community.</p><p> </p><p>We are encouraging the new government to engage with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, including over the UN Human Rights Council resolution agreed in March 2014. This is consistent with the Prime Minister's, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), statement after the elections that the UK “encourages President Sirisena to support the ongoing UN Office of the High Commission for Human rights investigation into human rights abuses so that the issues of the past can be addressed and the country can move forward to a brighter, peaceful future where all Sri Lankan’s can play a role.”</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/01/2015 14:48:10 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

174737

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Libya
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to help the Libyan government bring peace and stability to that country.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	221361
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK Government, working closely with our international partners, continues to support the people of Libya and the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Libya, Bernardino Leon, to resolve the political crisis. Since 2011, the UK has also funded much practical support to Libya. The current focus is on contributing to UN political settlement efforts through the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Libyan Political Transition, Jonathan Powell. The UK is also providing expert advice to the Constitutional Drafting Assembly; helping to enhance the quality and coverage of media reporting of events in Libya; providing support in the areas of border controls and humanitarian demining; and helping Libyan institutions to effectively manage their public finances.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/01/2015 14:52:47 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

174738

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Turkey
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 his Department has made of the human rights situation in Turkey.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	221362
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>We and our EU partners monitor closely the human rights situation in Turkey. The UK supports the European Commission’s assessment of human rights in Turkey, set out in its 2014 Annual Progress Report on Turkey’s EU accession.</p><p>In 2014, Turkey made progress on its human rights reform agenda and adopted an Action Plan for the Prevention of Human Rights Violations. Turkey also continued to build the capacity of its human rights institutions. We welcome this progress and the continuing efforts of the Turkish government aimed at resolving the Kurdish issue.</p><p>However, as the EU’s report has underlined, there is still much to do to implement action plans, strengthen further the institutional framework, and bring Turkish human rights legislation into line with European and international standards, including on rights for minority religious and ethnic groups. The report also highlighted areas of concern over the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, the rule of law, and restrictions on the freedom of expression, including temporary bans on social media imposed by the Turkish government. We will continue to work with our EU partners and international institutions, such as the EU and Council of Europe, to support Turkey in its continuing reform agenda.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 27/01/2015 16:15:06 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

174739

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Pakistan
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 make representations to his Pakistani counterpart on the protection and maintenance of Jewish cemeteries in that country.
tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
uin	221385
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p>We urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens regardless of their faith. We raise this on a regular basis at a senior level with the authorities in Pakistan. The UK supports UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 which calls upon states to adopt measures and policies to promote the full respect for and protection of places of worship and religious sites, including cemeteries and shrines.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 04/02/2015 11:38:25 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

174740

registered interest
date	20/01/2015
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	Bahrain
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) press freedom and (b) other human rights in Bahrain.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	221298
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text I welcome the steps taken by the Government of Bahrain in implementing its reform programme based on recommendations made by the Independent Commission of Inquiry. There is more to do, and I encourage greater progress in relaxing censorship and allowing the opposition greater access to the media. In 2014 the UK hosted a delegation from Bahrain’s Ministry of Information to share best practice on media relations and press freedom. The British Government is supporting Bahrain's reform programme on a range of issues. Assistance is focused on strengthening human rights and the rule of law, including torture prevention and capacity building in the Ombudsman's Office for the Ministry of Interior, which has responsibility for investigating allegations of detainee mistreatment. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/01/2015 14:41:08 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

174401

registered interest
date	19/01/2015
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	Colombia
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 make representations to the government of Colombia urging action on recent death threats to former Colombian Senator, Piedad Cordoba.
tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent South
tabling member printed	Robert Flello
uin	221285
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of death threats to former Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba made on 12 January, Mrs Córdoba and other members of congress have since met President Santos, to request an investigation. As a result the Attorney General announced the creation of inter-agency groups in charge of investigating the threats.</p><p> </p><p>Our Ambassador in Bogota met the President’s Minister-Counsellor for post conflict and human rights, Oscar Naranjo, on 15 January where they discussed the case of Piedad Córdoba and the importance of security for human rights defenders in general. Our Ambassador received assurances that the necessary security measures were already in place in order to mitigate any risk to former Senator Cordoba.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 22/01/2015 13:01:40 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1569 label Biography information for Robert Flello

174402

registered interest
date	19/01/2015
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	North Korea
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 his Department has made of North Korea's nuclear activities.
tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
uin	221224
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2015 answer text <p>We keep the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and ballistic missile programmes under constant review. We are concerned that the DPRK has restarted its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, coupled with reports that a nearby uranium enrichment facility has been expanded. DPRK threats to conduct a fourth nuclear test are extremely worrying and only serve to destabilise regional security further. We continue to urge the DPRK to comply with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, to refrain from any further provocations, to abide by its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to permit full access by the International Atomic Energy Agency.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/01/2015 15:46:40 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans