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1006647

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Iraq: Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq about the prosecution of ISIS operatives responsible for the murder, enslavement, deportation, forcible transfer, imprisonment, torture, abduction, exploitation, abuse, rape, forced marriage, and enforced disappearance of Yazidis, Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq; and how many prosecutions have taken place.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL11427
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>We regularly urge the Government of Iraq, at both official and ministerial levels, to uphold the freedoms and rights of all minorities across Iraq. We are working with the Government of Iraq to ensure that members of Daesh are held to account for their appalling crimes. The Prime Minister underlined this message with former Prime Minister Abadi during her visit to Iraq in November 2017, and both the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa and I reiterated it during our visits in March and April 2018 respectively. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa also raised the need to protect minority communities with the new Iraqi Foreign Minister during a phone call on 14 November.</p><p>The UN Investigative Team (established under UN Security Council Resolution 2379) has deployed to Iraq to begin gathering evidence. The UK has committed £1 million to the establishment of this team. It will gather evidence of Daesh crimes, including those against the Yezidi, Christian and other minority communities; it aims to help secure justice for all Daesh's victims, regardless of their religion or belief.</p><p>The British Government does not publish details of prosecutions carried out by other governments.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/11/2018 12:58:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1006651

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Commonwealth: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the UNESCO Director-General's 2018 Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity which found that 104 journalists were killed in eight Commonwealth countries between 2006 and 2015, and that in none of these cases the perpetrators were brought to justice.
tabling member printed	Lord Chidgey
uin	HL11431
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is committed to tackling intimidation and violence against journalists wherever it occurs, including in Commonwealth countries, and to challenging impunity for such crimes. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our determination to address this issue on the International Day to End Impunity for Attacks Against Journalists on 2 November, announcing our intention to put the resources of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) behind the cause of media freedom and to hold an international conference on this issue, in 2019. We welcome the attention UNESCO has given to this problem.</p><p>We support the work of the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance, and their continued efforts to prepare them for consideration at the Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda in 2020. Officials from the FCO and Cabinet Office have offered advice and support to members of the Working Group, most recently on 12 November 2018. The Working Group was given the opportunity to brief all member states on the proposed principles at senior official level, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April 2018. However, there was no consensus amongst member states for the principles to be formally included on Heads' agenda or in their official communiqué. We have discussed the principles with the Commonwealth Secretariat on several occasions since the Heads of Government Meeting. We continue to encourage the Working Group to work with member states and the Secretariat to build consensus towards adoption of the principles.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL11432 HL11433 HL11434 question first answered 27/11/2018 13:38:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	50 label Biography information for Lord Chidgey

1006652

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Commonwealth: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Commonwealth Secretary-General about the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance’s 2018 report on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance.
tabling member printed	Lord Chidgey
uin	HL11432
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is committed to tackling intimidation and violence against journalists wherever it occurs, including in Commonwealth countries, and to challenging impunity for such crimes. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our determination to address this issue on the International Day to End Impunity for Attacks Against Journalists on 2 November, announcing our intention to put the resources of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) behind the cause of media freedom and to hold an international conference on this issue, in 2019. We welcome the attention UNESCO has given to this problem.</p><p>We support the work of the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance, and their continued efforts to prepare them for consideration at the Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda in 2020. Officials from the FCO and Cabinet Office have offered advice and support to members of the Working Group, most recently on 12 November 2018. The Working Group was given the opportunity to brief all member states on the proposed principles at senior official level, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April 2018. However, there was no consensus amongst member states for the principles to be formally included on Heads' agenda or in their official communiqué. We have discussed the principles with the Commonwealth Secretariat on several occasions since the Heads of Government Meeting. We continue to encourage the Working Group to work with member states and the Secretariat to build consensus towards adoption of the principles.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL11431 HL11433 HL11434 question first answered 27/11/2018 13:38:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	50 label Biography information for Lord Chidgey

1006653

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Commonwealth: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they were aware of the development of the Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance by the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in 2018; and what steps they took to support the principles at the summit.
tabling member printed	Lord Chidgey
uin	HL11433
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is committed to tackling intimidation and violence against journalists wherever it occurs, including in Commonwealth countries, and to challenging impunity for such crimes. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our determination to address this issue on the International Day to End Impunity for Attacks Against Journalists on 2 November, announcing our intention to put the resources of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) behind the cause of media freedom and to hold an international conference on this issue, in 2019. We welcome the attention UNESCO has given to this problem.</p><p>We support the work of the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance, and their continued efforts to prepare them for consideration at the Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda in 2020. Officials from the FCO and Cabinet Office have offered advice and support to members of the Working Group, most recently on 12 November 2018. The Working Group was given the opportunity to brief all member states on the proposed principles at senior official level, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April 2018. However, there was no consensus amongst member states for the principles to be formally included on Heads' agenda or in their official communiqué. We have discussed the principles with the Commonwealth Secretariat on several occasions since the Heads of Government Meeting. We continue to encourage the Working Group to work with member states and the Secretariat to build consensus towards adoption of the principles.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL11431 HL11432 HL11434 question first answered 27/11/2018 13:38:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	50 label Biography information for Lord Chidgey

1006654

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Commonwealth: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support the objectives of the Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance developed by the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance; what steps they will take to promote the principles within the Commonwealth; and whether they will advocate for their consideration at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in 2020.
tabling member printed	Lord Chidgey
uin	HL11434
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is committed to tackling intimidation and violence against journalists wherever it occurs, including in Commonwealth countries, and to challenging impunity for such crimes. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our determination to address this issue on the International Day to End Impunity for Attacks Against Journalists on 2 November, announcing our intention to put the resources of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) behind the cause of media freedom and to hold an international conference on this issue, in 2019. We welcome the attention UNESCO has given to this problem.</p><p>We support the work of the Commonwealth Working Group on Media and Good Governance on Commonwealth principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media in good governance, and their continued efforts to prepare them for consideration at the Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda in 2020. Officials from the FCO and Cabinet Office have offered advice and support to members of the Working Group, most recently on 12 November 2018. The Working Group was given the opportunity to brief all member states on the proposed principles at senior official level, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April 2018. However, there was no consensus amongst member states for the principles to be formally included on Heads' agenda or in their official communiqué. We have discussed the principles with the Commonwealth Secretariat on several occasions since the Heads of Government Meeting. We continue to encourage the Working Group to work with member states and the Secretariat to build consensus towards adoption of the principles.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL11431 HL11432 HL11433 question first answered 27/11/2018 13:38:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	50 label Biography information for Lord Chidgey

1006683

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Mediterranean Sea: Rescue Services
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to support non-governmental search and rescue work in the Mediterranean, including the re-flagging of the MV Aquarius.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11463
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The British Government recognises the contribution non-governmental organisations (NGOs) make towards search and rescue in the Mediterranean. We do not provide direct support to these organisations. The UK has a strong record on Mediterranean Search and Rescue: between May 2015 and July 2018, UK naval assets rescued over 31,000 people through our contributions to EU operations SOPHIA and Frontex. The British Government's understanding is that the M.V. Aquarius, following the withdrawal of its flagged status by the Gibraltar Maritime Authority on safety grounds, was subsequently registered under the Panama flag. However, the Panamanian Maritime Authority revoked its registration in September. It is not for the British Government to intervene in Panama's decision. The UK has not received a request from the owners of the Aquarius or its most recent operators, the NGOs SOS Méditerranée and Médicins Sans Frontières, for re-registration under a British flag. Should we receive such a request, the application would be considered according to the usual procedures.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/11/2018 12:56:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1006684

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Eastern Europe: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support the (1) strengthening of civil society, and (2) effectiveness of major institutions and government departments, in Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11464
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>Ensuring a stronger, more democratic and more prosperous Eastern neighbourhood remains a priority for Her Majesty's Government. We recognise that a thriving civil society and strong, independent institutions are key to achieving these objectives. The Government is already providing targeted assistance to Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine through its Global Britain, Good Governance and Conflict, Stability and Security Funds and will commit over £17 million towards these countries this year.</p><p>In Belarus, the UK is funding a number of projects on human rights and economic reform. This includes projects on improved access to justice for children, preventing domestic violence and improved transparency in financial reporting of state-owned enterprises.</p><p>In Moldova, the UK is providing support to civil society on local government accountability and independent media. We are also providing support to State institutions, especially in the financial and banking sectors.</p><p>In Ukraine, the UK is providing programme assistance to institutions including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and the Ukrainian Public Broadcaster. Projects also include support for civil society in monitoring government and increasing democratic inclusion.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/11/2018 13:39:30 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1006698

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Treaties
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions since 1988 they have unilaterally withdrawn from their obligations under international treaties.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL11478
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK has unilaterally withdrawn from 52 treaties since 1 January 1988. All of these have been multilateral treaties.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/11/2018 12:56:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1006700

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
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	Israel: Palestinians
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the demolition of Palestinian homes in the night before families have removed their possessions.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL11480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>​Whilst we have not raised this specific issue, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa last raised demolitions with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 11 October. In all but the most exceptional circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/11/2018 12:55:38 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1005573

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Iraq: Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Unearthing Atrocities: Mass Graves in territory formerly controlled by ISIL, published on 6 November.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL11344
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK welcomes the United Nations' 6 November report on Mass Graves, which underlines the scale of the horrific crimes committed by Daesh against humanity. We agree with the report's recommendations, including the pressing need for justice for victims and their families. It is important that the Government of Iraq allocates sufficient resource to this important task so that members of Daesh are held to account for their actions. The report will inform the work of the UN Investigative Team for the Accountability of Daesh in gathering evidence of Daesh crimes, for which the UK has provided £1 million in funding. UK officials in Baghdad regularly raise with the Government of Iraq the need to investigate missing persons and bring perpetrators to justice, but have not directly made representations about the number of criminal judicial processes it is engaged in nor about the planned timeline for exhumations. However, the UK and Iraq co-hosted a conference on 14 November in The Hague in order to discuss next steps on this agenda; attendees included UNITAD Special Adviser Karim Khan, the International Committee of Missing Persons and the Iraqi Chief Justice. The report makes clear the need to ensure that similar crimes are never committed again, and we are working closely with the newly elected Government of Iraq to address the conditions that led to Daesh's rise and ensure peace, stability and security for all Iraqis.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL11345 HL11346 HL11347 HL11348 HL11349 question first answered 26/11/2018 15:40:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool