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1129477

registered interest
date	04/06/2019
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: Detainees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they have taken to enquire about the health and well-being of Dr Essam El-Haddad and his son Gehad El-Haddad, who are being detained by Egyptian authorities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alderdice
uin	HL15962
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>Egypt is a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Human Rights Priority Country and the UK regularly raises concerns about human rights with the Government of Egypt. We are concerned about reports of torture and mistreatment in detention in Egypt. We have not raised these individual cases with the Egyptian authorities, but will continue to urge them to ensure all detainees are treated in accordance with relevant international human right standards.</p><p>We have raised these concerns in public, including in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 12 March and through the FCO’s Human Rights Priority Country reports, and in private in meetings with Egyptian Government representatives in London and in Cairo. We shall continue to call on Egypt to take action to release journalists and political detainees who remain imprisoned, review mass judicial decisions and remove restrictions on civil society.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 17/06/2019 14:14:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3478 label Biography information for Lord Alderdice

1128080

registered interest
date	22/05/2019
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	Marshall Scholarships
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 case for increasing the number of students who can participate in the Marshall Scholarship programme to 100; and what assessment they have made of the benefits of that programme to the UK's international reputation.
tabling member printed	Baroness Meyer
uin	HL15929
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2019 answer text <p>​For 65 years, the Marshall Scholarship programme has created lasting bridges between the US and the UK by funding intellectually distinguished young Americans to undertake postgraduate studies in Britain. Marshall scholars become advocates for greater depth and breadth of interaction, co-operation and mutual understanding between the two countries, with many going on to senior positions in politics, business, the law and other fields. The Government increased the programme's funding in 2017, allowing up to 50 scholarships to be awarded per year. This increased investment reflects the strengthened commitment of the British Government to the value of this programme and to the Special Relationship. The Tailored Review of the programme this year concluded that it continues to support UK-US relations, and in line with the review's recommendations, we will be building on work to develop our processes for evaluating the programme's impact.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/06/2019 16:31:46 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4699 label Biography information for Baroness Meyer

1128084

registered interest
date	22/05/2019
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	EU Countries: Embassies
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what upgrades and enhancements they have made to (1) staffing, and (2) facilities, at embassies in the EU27 nations since the EU referendum.
tabling member printed	Lord Radice
uin	HL15933
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has created approximately 550 EU Exit roles in the UK and overseas. We have used these roles to strengthen our diplomatic network in the UK and across Europe so that we are better able to represent and promote British interests and engage with our European partners in support of a successful EU Exit. In addition, other staff are also engaged on EU Exit planning as part of their wider responsibilities. We continue to keep staffing levels under constant review to ensure that they are appropriate to deliver the Government's objectives.</p><p>We undertake regular reviews of our estate portfolio around the world. This is a continuing process to ensure the estate is fit for purpose and offers the best value for money in delivering Her Majesty's Government objectives. No major estates projects were undertaken because of the result of the referendum. A number of Posts have carried out small changes to their office layouts as well as routine maintenance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/06/2019 16:32:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	510 label Biography information for Lord Radice

1127984

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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: Human Trafficking
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 by the Korea Future Initiative Sex Slaves: The Prostitution, Cybersex, and Forced Marriage of North Korean Women and Girls in China, published and presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea on 20 May which details the trafficking, abuse, forced marriage and enslavement of North Korean women by Chinese trafficking gangs; and whether they intend to raise the contents of that report with the governments of the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL15869
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>We are grateful to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for North Korea for its ongoing work to highlight the grave human rights situation in North Korea. The Korea Future Initiative’s new report presents a stark and worsening picture of the plight of North Korean women and girls in China. We are deeply concerned at its accounts of women and girls being trafficked from North Korea to China for prostitution and forced marriage, and the misery and suffering they endure.</p><p>We will continue to raise with China our concerns over the repatriation of North Korean refugees, which we believe puts them at serious risk of exploitation. We continue to emphasise to China that those fleeing North Korea should be treated as legitimate asylum claimants. The UK is at the forefront of raising global awareness of modern slavery and sexual violence. As such, we will consider the best way to address the issues in the report including raising these with the appropriate Chinese and North Korean authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:41:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127987

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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: Religious 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 report by Members of the European Parliament Religious Minorities in Pakistan, published on 13 May, which states that the situation of Pakistan’s minorities is worsening; and whether they intend to raise the contents of that report with the government of Pakistan.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL15872
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of the report on Religious Minorities in Pakistan which was published on 13 May by Members of the European Parliament.</p><p>The British Government regularly raises its concerns about discrimination against minority communities with the Pakistani Government at a senior level. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, during my visit to Islamabad in February.</p><p>At the UN Periodic Review of Pakistan's human rights record in November 2017, the UK called on Pakistan to strengthen protection of minorities and establish an independent National Commission for Minorities. The Government will continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to religious minorities, and to uphold the rule of law.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:43:34 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127988

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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: Human Trafficking
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that skewed gender ratios in China are exacerbating human trafficking from North Korea to China and leading to enforced prostitution and enslavement of women.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL15873
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>It is possible that alongside a number of other social and economic factors, China’s skewed gender balance has contributed to the creation of a market in neighbouring countries, including North Korea, for trafficked girls and young women. The UK is at the forefront of raising global awareness of modern slavery and sexual violence, and continues to raise our concerns with other governments about the trafficking of girls and young women and the misery and suffering they endure.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:43:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127999

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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	Greece: Asylum
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports they have received of refoulement and maltreatment contrary to the UN Convention on Refugees, by the Greek authorities against persons trying to claim asylum on the frontier between Greece and Turkey in Thrace; and whether they will make further enquiries and representations to the government of Greece about any such reported treatment.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL15884
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>​We are aware of recent media reports that asylum seekers have transferred back across the land border from Greece to Turkey against their will.</p><p>The British Government recognises the importance of all countries observing their obligations under international law to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, and remains committed to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.</p><p>Our Ambassador visited the border area in November 2018, and had discussions with the Hellenic Police and representatives of the Greek Reception &amp; Identification Service about the processing of arriving migrants.</p><p>Where the UK has concerns about the conditions faced by migrants we will continue to raise them as part of our regular engagement at Ministerial and official level.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:09:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1128003

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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	Saudi Arabia: Capital Punishment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised with the government of Saudi Arabia its decision to execute 37 men convicted of terrorism on 23 April; and whether they have sought further clarification of the terrorist offences for which those executed were convicted.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL15888
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>We are very concerned by the 37 executions in Saudi Arabia on 23 April. The Foreign Secretary raised this matter directly and asked for more information from the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Minister Al Jubeir. The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, including in Saudi Arabia. We regularly raise human rights concerns, including the use of the death penalty, at the highest levels with the Saudi Arabian authorities. We consistently and unreservedly condemn torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and it is a priority for us to challenge it wherever and whenever it occurs.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:59:18 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1128004

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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	Aras Amiri
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what further information they have on the case of Aras Amiri, the British Council worker whose sentence to 10 years in prison in Iran for spying was reported on 14 May; and what action they are taking to ensure her safety and wellbeing.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL15889
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/05/2019 answer text <p>​We remain very concerned about reports of Aras Amiri's sentence. We are still continuing to work closely with the British Council to understand the situation further and to provide what support and advice we can, recognising that unfortunately, as a mono-Iranian national, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no formal or practical ability to request consular access. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranian authorities at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/05/2019 15:56:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1128005

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
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	Nigeria: 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 influence of the Islamic State in West Africa Province in north eastern Nigeria and the potential for further conflict across in the region.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL15890
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>We are concerned with the increase of Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) activity in North Eastern Nigeria. Together with international partners, we will continue to support Nigeria and its neighbours to tackle threats to regional stability by ISWA. Regional governments must work together to stabilise areas affected by terrorism and reduce safe havens for terrorists. Humanitarian operations have been placed under pressure and some suspended, cutting off support for up to 120,000 people. We are working with international partners to support contingency planning to protect aid workers, providing strategic military advice, and are reviewing options for additional UK assistance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:50:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian