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101552

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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 steps he is taking to ensure MONUSCO peace-keepers are implementing their mandate.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212433
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has a clear mandate and we are working through the UN Security Council and with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, MONUSCO, the government of DRC and governments of the region to ensure it is fully implemented.</p><p>In August, the UK used its Presidency of the UN Security Council to draw attention to the importance of MONUSCO implementing its mandate, with the then Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds MP, chairing a discussion in the UN Security Council which also involved senior Ministers from the region. In September my Hon Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge MP), the Minister for Africa, discussed implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler (SRSG). Senior officials in Kinshasa and New York regularly discuss progress and raise issues of concern, including when we believe peacekeepers have fallen short in implementing MONUSCO’s mandate to protect civilians. This has included accompanying the SRSG on visits to peacekeepers on the ground to emphasise what more they need to do to implement the mandate. We have raised the importance of political support for implementing the mandate with governments in the region, including countries which contribute troops to the Force Intervention Brigade. We are also contributing to an ongoing strategic review of MONUSCO which will focus on ways to further deliver the robust and mobile force needed to fully implement the mandate.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 03/11/2014 14:29:53 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101560

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
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
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 in collaboration with Deputy Special Representative of MINUSCA, Diane Corner, to ensure that a comprehensive and inclusive disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process is planned and prioritised in the Central African Republic.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212432
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text MINUSCA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) assumed responsibility from the AU Mission, MISCA (African-led support mission to the Central African Republic) on 15 September. The mission’s mandate includes a call for “support for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former armed elements, with specific attention to children, and the repatriation of foreign elements, as well as community violence-reduction programmes”. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are monitoring MINUSCA’s progress on all areas of the mandate as the mission works to build up to full capacity; and are in close contact with Diane Corner (Deputy SRSG)on this. We have encouraged the UN to prioritise their efforts given the Mission is in early stages, and the operational challenges due to the surge in violence in CAR in recent weeks. Ensuring security is an essential first step in bringing peace and stability to CAR. MINUSCA has a phased mandate, with its priority task being the protection of civilians; HMG supports this approach. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 03/11/2014 14:28:12 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101128

registered interest
date	27/10/2014
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	Private Finance Initiative
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 private finance initiative projects his Department contracted for in each year from 1997 to 2010.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	212098
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contracted only one private finance initiative (PFI) in the period in question. A PFI for the British Embassy in Berlin was commissioned in 2000 and is due to run until 2030. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 03/11/2014 14:21:27 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101129

registered interest
date	27/10/2014
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 representations he has made to the government of Bahrain on that government's recent decision to revoke the nationality of 31 Bahraini political activists.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	212125
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>We have raised with the Government of Bahrain the decision to withdraw citizenship from 31 individuals in 2012. We encourage the authorities to conduct full and transparent investigations into any of those accused of crimes. Any charges against these individuals should be based on strong, credible evidence that will stand up to scrutiny. We commend the steps taken by the Bahraini government to implement the recommendations set out in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. As outlined in our recent human rights case study on Bahrain, progress has been made in a number of areas but there is still more to be done.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 03/11/2014 14:32:45 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

101130

registered interest
date	27/10/2014
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 reports he has received about allegations of a reduction in protection afforded to (a) Senator Ivan Cepeda and (b) other opposition politicians and human rights and peace campaigners in Colombia.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
tabling member printed	Jim Sheridan
uin	212049
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>I have recently become aware of allegations of a reduction in protection afforded to Ivan Cepeda and other individuals in Colombia. I have also heard that budget restrictions are causing concern. My department are looking into these cases and will raise further if appropriate.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 03/11/2014 13:20:41 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1464 label Biography information for Jim Sheridan

101136

registered interest
date	27/10/2014
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	Ukraine
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 he took with his international counterparts to ensure that the recent parliamentary elections in Ukraine were free and fair; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	212016
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The UK sent 71 observers to observe the parliamentary elections in Ukraine on 26 October as part of an Organisation for Security and Co-oporation in Europe delegation of 680 international observers. The Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe also sent a delegation of 36 which was led by my Hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr Chope) and included my Hon. Friend the Member for North Thanet (Sir Roger Gale) and my Noble Friend the Lord Balfe. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), issued a statement on 24 October in which he commended all those working to ensure a free, fair and peaceful vote. The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN also issued a statement which called on the elections to go ahead without external interference and pressed the Ukrainian authorities to take steps to ensure that as many Ukrainian citizens as possible could exercise their right to vote. On 27 October the Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), said he was proud that the UK had been able to support Ukraine in helping to make the elections free, fair and transparent and called upon Russia to respect the outcome as part of its commitment to the Minsk agreement.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 03/11/2014 14:20:19 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101138

registered interest
date	27/10/2014
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 Colombian government about the killing on 7 October 2014 of Norman Ortiz.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
tabling member printed	Jim Sheridan
uin	211960
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>I have recently become aware of reports on the death of Norman Ortiz. My department is looking into the case. <br><br></p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 03/11/2014 13:34:05 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1464 label Biography information for Jim Sheridan

101139

registered interest
date	27/10/2014
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	Trans-Dniestr
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 he is taking to promote dialogue between the Moldovan government and Transnistria; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	212015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The British Embassy in Chisinau has a number of projects in the Republic of Moldova (including in the Transnistrian region) that work to increase engagement and build confidence between the Sides (Moldova and the Transnistrian region). These projects are funded by the cross-Whitehall Conflict Pool and promote dialogue on all levels: political, business and civil society. They include conflict analysis training, summer and winter schools for young leaders and exchanges of peace-building experience based on the Northern Ireland example.</p><p>The Embassy works closely with the Organisation for Security and Co-oporation in Europe, EU, United Nations Development Programme and other interested partners in Moldova on this issue. At the UK political level, The Leader of the House (in his then capacity as Foreign Secretary), I as Minister for Europe and the All-party parliamentary group (APPG) on Moldova have all visited the country this year. The APPG also visited Transnistria. The UK Government has repeatedly called for progress in the 5+2 talks on resolving the Transnistria protracted conflict, and continues to underline the need for dialogue at all levels.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 03/11/2014 14:19:07 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

100873

registered interest
date	24/10/2014
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	Occupied Territories
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 15 October 2014, to Question 209580, whether he and his EU counterparts gave specific consideration to settlement construction in Givat Hamatos, E1 and Har Homa, and to the relocation of 12,500 Bedouin from E1, and to the implications of those developments for future relations between the EU and Israel.
tabling member constituency	Oxford East
tabling member printed	Mr Andrew Smith
uin	211912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymead and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) made clear in his statement of 3 October, the UK deplores Israel’s decision to advance plans for settlement units in Givat Hamatos. Along with a number of EU counterparts, and the European External Action Service, he urged the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision. Discussions are continuing in Brussels on how the EU can best discourage settlement expansion including in Givat Hamatos, E1 and Har Homa, and plans to relocate Bedouin from E1. The UK is working closely with other Member States to that end.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/10/2014 14:49:40 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	95 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Smith

100874

registered interest
date	24/10/2014
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, what discussions his Department has had with government officials in Pakistan on the allegations made against Aasia Bibi.
tabling member constituency	Aberconwy
tabling member printed	Guto Bebb
uin	211909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2014 answer text <p>I am concerned to hear that a Pakistan court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty in the case of Asia Bibi. We support the EU’s recent statement on her case and hope that the verdict will be overturned on appeal. We regularly raise at the highest levels the misuse of blasphemy laws against both Muslims and religious minorities. Most recently, I raised this with the Pakistan High Commissioner on 28 October. We will ensure that these issues continue to be raised at the highest levels in Pakistan and we will continue to express our concerns about such cases.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 31/10/2014 12:25:37 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3910 label Biography information for Guto Bebb