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1224919

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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	Eritrea: Detainees
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 Eritrea on reforming its policies that breach the human rights of (a) prisoners who have never been charged nor presented to a court of law but kept imprisoned without due legal process and incommunicado for decades and (b) other citizens.
tabling member constituency	Hayes and Harlington
tabling member printed	John McDonnell
uin	74425
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government, along with partners in the international community, has taken every opportunity to voice our concern about arbitrary arrests and detentions in Eritrea, and has called for the release of those arrested and detained in this way. We have done so directly with the Government of Eritrea and publicly at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, most recently on 30 June at the 44th Session. Over the past year, our Ambassador in Asmara has raised the cases of journalists detained without trial, as well as members of non-registered religious groups. We do not have a regular dialogue but we will continue to seek opportunities to raise these cases in our engagements.</p><p>On 26 February, the UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered a statement during the 43rd Session of the HRC, expressing concern at continuing human rights abuses and said that the UK would continue to press for the release of arbitrarily detained individuals. Eritrea remains a priority country for the FCO under our annual human rights reporting, and we will continue to monitor the situation there.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 23/07/2020 14:44:40 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	178 label Biography information for John McDonnell

1224927

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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	Hong Kong: British Citizenship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of people from Hong Kong who will not be eligible to apply for the Government's proposed bespoke immigration route for British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders but whose rights and freedoms remain threatened by the introduction of new national security legislation in Hong Kong.
tabling member constituency	Wigan
tabling member printed	Lisa Nandy
uin	74546
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>As the Foreign Secretary said in Parliament on 1 July, we constantly assess the numbers of those expected to take up the bespoke immigration route which we will put in place for British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O)s) and their dependants. We estimate that there are up to 2.9 million status holders eligible for BN(O) passports. Of those, there are around 350,000 passport holders.</p><p>We recognise that there will be people from Hong Kong who do not qualify for these new arrangements. The Foreign Secretary is coordinating closely with international partners, particularly those with specific and close relationships with Hong Kong, to discuss what support they might provide.</p><p>When it comes to Hong Kong, the UK will honour its historic responsibilities. We will continue to bring together our international partners, to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out the violations of their freedoms, and to hold China to its obligations, assumed under international law.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 21/07/2020 16:48:36 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38728 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4082 label Biography information for Lisa Nandy

1224964

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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	Nepal: Diplomatic Relations
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 he has taken to maintain the UK’s diplomatic relationship with Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	74585
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK and Nepal enjoy a warm and historic relationship that has been in place for over 200 years, underpinned by deep people-to-people connections through the important role of Gurkhas in the British Army and the contribution of the Nepalese diaspora in the UK. Building on the 2019 visit of PM Oli to the UK, recent months have seen significant levels of senior bilateral engagement on some of the most pressing international issues, including several Ministerial calls throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the return of over 525 British Nationals stranded in Nepal by lockdown. In 2018/19 the UK invested over £80m in Nepal's development, including support to the healthcare sector, post-earthquake reconstruction, and security and justice reform. We were also honoured by the participation of Her Excellency President Bandhari in the Global Vaccine Summit last month. Finally, Nepal continues to be an important regional partner on climate issues as we prepare to host COP26.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/07/2020 16:59:01 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38717 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1224987

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Apprentices
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 is taking to reach the public sector apprenticeship target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	74511
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2020 answer text <p>Since 2016, we and our Executive Agency, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Services, have held annual external apprenticeship recruitment campaigns enrolling new entrants and existing staff, onto a range of programmes from level 2 to level 7 (post-degree). Our current apprenticeships include business administration, human resources and finance and accounting. In 2019, we opened our level 3 business administration programme to non-graduates only, to broaden opportunities to join our department.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 24/07/2020 12:21:16 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1225012

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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: Capital Punishment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Bahrain Government on the death sentences of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husian Moos; and if the Government will cease to provide financial support to Bahrain in response to that country's breaches of human rights.
tabling member constituency	North Ayrshire and Arran
tabling member printed	Patricia Gibson
uin	74647
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p><p>Our assistance is designed to support Bahrain-led reform in areas including human rights. It is provided in line with international standards and fully complies with our human rights obligations and the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance process.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:47:06 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4435 label Biography information for Patricia Gibson

1224381

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Capital Punishment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the decision by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation to uphold death sentences against Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa on 13 July 2020, if he will suspend Government support for (a) the Bahraini Special Investigations Unit, (b) the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman and (c) other Bahraini institutions accused of complicity in the torture of both men.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	73748
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p><p>The UK welcomed the investigation by the Ombudsman and Special Investigation Unit into the cases of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa, ultimately leading to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice ordering a retrial - a first in Bahrain.</p><p>The UK is committed to supporting Bahrain's oversight bodies, including the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman and the independent Special Investigations Unit. We continue to believe that Bahrain is taking steps in the right direction to improve its record on justice and security issues. The support we provide to these bodies, including in partnership with the UN Development Programme contributing to their work to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 (strengthening institutions and increasing access to justice), contributes to the ongoing development of both their capacity and capabilities.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:52:51 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

1224385

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Integrated Activity Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the decision by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation to uphold death sentences against Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa on 13 July 2020, if the Government will take steps to increase transparency on the use of UK funding allocated to Bahrain under the Integrated Activity Fund.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	73749
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p><p>Our assistance is designed to support Bahrain-led reform in areas including human rights. It is provided in line with international standards and fully complies with our human rights obligations and the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance process. Programmes are routinely monitored by officials and evaluated, by officials, on a regular basis to ensure that they are on track for delivery.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:48:45 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

1224405

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Capital Punishment
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 representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on (a) Shagufta Kauser, (b) Hussain Moosa and (c) other prisoners facing death sentences under blasphemy laws in that country.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	73879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned about the issue of blasphemy laws, which has affected both Muslims and non-Muslims. It is our longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We continue to closely monitor, the case of Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel, whose appeal hearing is delayed until September due to court closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>The UK Government regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and blasphemy laws at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan. Most recently, the Minister of State for South Asia and human rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, raised concerns on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the death penalty with Dr Mazari, Pakistan's Human Right Minister, on 15 July. Lord Ahmad also raised our concerns regarding the blasphemy laws, including the case of Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel, with Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Nafees Zakaria, on 23 June. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti MP, has also spoken to the Pakistani High Commissioner to the UK about Freedom of Religion or Belief.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/07/2020 17:02:03 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38716 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1224406

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: Capital Punishment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether British Embassy officials attended the trial of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa in Bahrain on 13 July 2020; and what their assessment was of the decision to uphold their death sentences amid allegations of torture and due process violations.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
uin	73982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>Due to public health precautions in place for COVID-19, British Embassy officials were unable to attend the Court of Cassation. We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 20/07/2020 15:55:30 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1224461

registered interest
date	14/07/2020
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: 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, pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2019 to Question 7221 on Kashmir: telecommunications, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of his Department sponsoring the India Global 2020 Week conference as a result of recent human rights violations.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	73953
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK and India have a deep, mature and wide-ranging relationship. Our trade and investment partnership is thriving; we collaborate on defence and security and we have a shared commitment to tackling climate change. The Foreign Secretary was pleased to participate in India Global Week with many Ministerial colleagues to discuss a wide range of issues. We regard human rights as an important part of our broad relationship with India, and raise our concerns with the Government of India where we have them.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/07/2020 17:00:44 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams previous answer version 38714 answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan