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1129525

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	Turkey: Kurds
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 statement made by Abdullah Ocalan, through his lawyers, on 22 May and the subsequent ending of hunger strikes; and what steps they will take to help develop a democratic process within Turkey aimed at peace and national reconciliation.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL16010
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>​I am pleased to note that Abdullah Öcalan was granted access to lawyers on two occasions in May and I welcome the end of the hunger strikes. We hope that a peace process can be resumed in the future and have provided funding to a number of civil society organisations in Turkey seeking to build dialogue between different relevant actors on the Kurdish issue. We shall maintain our support for legitimate and democratic Kurdish groups in Turkey. Nevertheless, Mr Öcalan remains in our view a convicted terrorist and we condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by the PKK as we condemn all forms of terrorism.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 17/06/2019 14:07:20 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1129531

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	Cameroon: France
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 May (HL15677), whether in their discussions with the government of France they raised the impact of that country’s policies on the humanitarian situation in Cameroon; and what has been the response by the government of France to any such discussion.
tabling member printed	Lord Judd
uin	HL16016
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>​We regularly discuss the humanitarian situation in Cameroon with our French counterparts, who share our concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon, as highlighted in statements made by the UK and France on 4 June at the UN Security Council briefing on the UN Regional Office on Central Africa. France supported the joint UK/Austria statement on Cameroon at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2019 which called for safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations and for the establishment of an inclusive political dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict. We will continue to discuss developments in Cameroon with international partners, including France, to encourage and support efforts to resolve the crisis. It is vital that all parties now work together to secure a peaceful future for all Cameroonians.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 17/06/2019 14:05:56 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

1129532

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	Cameroon: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 May (HL15677), what has been the outcome of their representations to the government of Cameroon about (1) the recent violence in that country, including the razing of villages and the killing of women and children, and (2) that government’s ban on the video recording of such violence.
tabling member printed	Lord Judd
uin	HL16017
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>​The UK remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon and regularly makes representations to the Government of Cameroon about high levels of violence, the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations and the importance of upholding human rights including freedom of expression. We welcome the recent visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Cameroon's reported openness to working with the UN to address the severe humanitarian and human rights situation. It is imperative that urgent action is now taken by the Government of Cameroon, with the support of regional partners and the wider international community, to prevent further escalation of the crisis. This includes the establishment of a credible political dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict and the investigation of all human rights abuses and violations and abuses. The UK stands ready to support.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 17/06/2019 14:02:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

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