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427666

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Burma: Human Rights
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 he has made of the human rights situation for religious minorities in Burma.
tabling member constituency	Falkirk
tabling member printed	John Mc Nally
uin	16034
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2015 answer text <p>Burma remains a country of concern in our annual Human Rights report. We, therefore, produce biannual updates on the human rights situation, the latest can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/burma-in-year-update-july-2015/burma-in-year-update-july-2015.</p><p>We have been concerned by the increase in religious intolerance in Burma and the treatment of minority groups, particularly religious miniorities. This has been evidenced starkly in the four discriminatory race and religion laws as well as in the appalling treatment of the Rohingya community in Rakhine State, their disenfranchisement from the 8 November elections, and the rise of Buddhist nationalism, hate speech and anti-Muslim violence. We have raised our concerns about this in detail with the Burmese authorities, both bilaterally, in company with our partners in the EU and in international fora like the UN. We will continue to raise this important issue facing Burma with any incoming government.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 16/11/2015 16:24:34 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4424 label Biography information for John McNally

427668

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Egypt: Aviation
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 his Department has taken to support the Russian government since the crash of Airbus 321 in Egypt.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	15887
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the day of the Sinai air crash to express the UK Government's deepest condolences for the tragic loss of life. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has spoken to President Putin on two occasions to offer his condolences and any assistance the UK might be able to provide, and to set out our assessment of the cause of the crash and the steps we have taken to ensure the safety of our citizens. The Prime Minister and President Putin also met in the margins of the G20 Summit in Antalya. We have also followed up at senior official level with further details and to offer practical cooperation and coordination in Sharm el-Sheikh.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 20/11/2015 13:08:22 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

427669

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Egypt: Christianity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he or his Ministers have had with their Egyptian counterparts on (a) the reconstruction and repair of churches and other Christian property and (b) the granting of licences for new churches in Egypt.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	15865
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>There have been no recent discussions between ministers and the Egyptian government on these issues. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have discussed these issues with church representatives in Egypt. The UK remains clear that the freedom of religious belief needs to be protected and that the ability to worship in peace is a vital component of a democratic society. We look to the Egyptian government to implement the rights contained in Egypt’s constitution, which includes protections for freedom of religious belief.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 20/11/2015 13:20:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

427670

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Caribbean and Central America: Security
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the UK's contribution to the EU Strategy on Citizen Security in Central America and the Caribbean is for 2014-15.
tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
uin	15773
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>The United Kingdom supports the EU Strategy on Citizen Security in Central America and the Caribbean, which is aligned with our own bilateral efforts and priorities. The United Kingdom has been actively involved in negotiations to develop both the Strategy and subsequent delivery-focused Action Plan. The United Kingdom’s contribution to the delivery of the Strategy in 2014-15 is reflected in our contribution to the EU Annual Budget (15.7% in2015), and in ensuring that UK and EU activities in the region are complementary.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 20/11/2015 13:53:09 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

427671

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Equatorial Guinea: Human Rights
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 Equitorial Guinea on human rights and freedom of speech in that country.
tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
uin	15774
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Equitorial Guinea, including the lack of freedom of expression and assembly, the lack of transparency and high levels of corruption. We are concerned about a recent Presidential decree which saw a total dissolution of the judiciary. Equitorial Guinea must meet its international obligations to protect the independence of the judiciary and respect the rule of law.</p><p>We have no diplomatic mission or resident diplomatic staff in Equatorial Guinea. Nonetheless we remain committed to raising human rights concerns with the Government of Equitorial Guinea where we can, and we have outlined concerns to the Equitorial Guinea Ambassador in London, and through visits to Equitorial Guinea of our non-resident Ambassador (based in Cameroon). We will continue to raise our concerns through these channels.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 20/11/2015 13:18:28 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

427672

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Burma: Ethnic Groups
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 steps his Department has taken to raise the security, humanitarian access, freedom of movement and citizenship rights of ethnic groups with the Burmese government.
tabling member constituency	Bradford East
tabling member printed	Imran Hussain
uin	15804
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>The Government consistently raises concerns about the human rights situation in Burma, including for all ethnic groups, with the Burmese government. However, these are issues that particularly affect the Muslim Rohingya community in Rakhine State, who are subject to persecution and denied the most basic rights. I and other Ministers take every appropriate opportunity, both publicly and in private, to press the Burmese authorities to take urgent steps to address the desperate situation of the Rohingya. I did this with senior Burmese ministers during my visit to Burma in July, when I travelled to Rakhine State for the second time. Most recently, I raised the issue with the Burmese Foreign Minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, in September in New York. We will continue our efforts to address the serious, ongoing human rights violations against the Rohingya community, including with whoever forms the next Government of Burma.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 20/11/2015 13:54:10 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4394 label Biography information for Imran Hussain

427673

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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 Africa: Overseas Aid
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 the Secretary of State for International Development on contributing to the European Commission's North Africa Trust Fund.
tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
uin	15912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>The UK continues to contribute to the North Africa Trust Fund at the same level as comparable EU states, and has allocated funds to tackle the root causes of migration from the Horn of Africa. There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for International Development on contributing to the European Commission's North Africa Trust Fund.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 20/11/2015 13:21:58 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry

427674

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	India: Diplomatic Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many full-time equivalent consular staff were based in (a) India and (b) Gujarat in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	16041
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2015 answer text <p>This information is represented below for each of the consular offices that we have in India for each year. Please note that consular cases in Gujarat are covered by our Deputy High Commission in Mumbai.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><br></p></td><td><p>11/12</p></td><td><p>12/13</p></td><td><p>13/14</p></td><td><p>14/15</p></td><td><p>15/16</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>New Delhi</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mumbai</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kolkata</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Goa</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Chennai</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 16/11/2015 17:01:35 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

427675

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	Central African Republic: Armed Conflict
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 tackle the conflict in Central African Republic.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	15967
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>The UK’s focus in the Central African Republic is on working with the international community to improve security throughout the country. We support the Transitional Authorities in their preparation for elections, and assist with justice, governance and state administration. The UK co-sponsored a UN Security Council Resolution authorising the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Operation, MINUSCA, which launched in September 2014. The operation is focussing on restoring stability, preventing human rights abuses, and promoting reconciliation. The UK has also supported the EU Military Advisory Mission to the Central African Republic which launched in March 2015. The mission provides the government of the Central African Republic with expert advice on security sector reform. In addition, the UK co-funded the African Union’s 2014 deployment of experts to the Central African Republic to support victims of sexual violence.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 20/11/2015 13:24:49 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

427676

registered interest
date	10/11/2015
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	India: Minority Groups
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 raise the issue of minority rights during the visit of Prime Minister Modi of India; and if he will specifically raise (a) Sikh political prisoners in India and (b) the case of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	15966
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2015 answer text <p>Human rights were discussed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United Kingdom. We welcome his reaffirmation that he governs for all Indians. The British High Commission in India regularly discusses the treatment of minorities, including the Sikh community, with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with state governments across India. I also personally raised the issue of religious minorities with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, General V K Singh on 5 November. Relations between the Sikh community in India and the Indian government are ultimately an internal matter, but we encourage both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue.</p><p>Although India’s Supreme Court partially lifted its suspension on the premature release of life prisoners by state governments on 23 July, the Court ruled that this would not apply to those cases which were investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI); central agencies or under federal law. This ruling applies to all cases regardless of the perpetrator’s ethnic identity. Specific issues of sentencing are a matter for the Indian authorities and we cannot interfere in their judicial system.</p><p>We are aware of Surat Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike and continue to monitor developments, including Mr Singh Khalsa’s health.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 20/11/2015 13:56:18 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire