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1197199

registered interest
date	19/05/2020
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	China: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) cooperated with the government of China to suppress information about the emergence of COVID-19, and (2) the extent of the influence of that government within the WHO. [T]
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL4668
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has an important role to play in coordinating the global health response - underpinned by the latest public health and scientific evidence. The UK has always been clear that, at the right time, there will need to be a full and independent review into the pandemic. The World Health Assembly resolution on COVID-19, which the UK co-sponsored, calls on the WHO to initiate an independent and comprehensive evaluation. This is an important step in learning the lessons of this pandemic.</p><p>China is currently one of 34 member states represented on the World Health Assembly's Executive Board, as is the United Kingdom. The World Health Assembly, which is the WHO's supreme decision making body, includes representatives of all 194 member states. In line with their responsibilities in the international community, China has a vital role in the global response to the pandemic and any long-term health challenge. The immediate focus continues to be stopping the spread of the virus through global action but, at the right time, we will work with the international community, including China, to learn lessons.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/05/2020 14:15:16 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1196390

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Crimes against Humanity: Victims
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure accountability for victims of (a) war crimes and (b) crimes against humanity in (i) Sri Lanka and (b) overseas.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	48430
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The British Government regularly engages with international partners on the importance of truth, accountability and justice for all victims of the civil war in Sri Lanka. At the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the UK works closely with the Core Group on Sri Lanka, and made clear our continued support for justice for victims of conflict in a joint statement delivered at the UNHRC in February. While in Geneva in February, Minister of State for South Asia Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon met with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to underline this message, and the Foreign Secretary raised the importance of accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka during a call with Foreign Minister Gunawardena in May.</p><p>The British High Commission in Colombo also regularly engages with international partners on this important issue. The UK has long supported Sri Lanka's accountability commitments made to the UNHRC through resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 as the best way to establish truth regarding alleged crimes committed by all sides during the Sri Lankan civil war, as well as to achieve accountability and reconciliation. We continue to underline the importance of accountability, justice and reconciliation in our engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka Supporting international criminal justice continues to be a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. The UK is one of the foremost contributors to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international tribunals, which can play a key role in deterring future acts, supporting victims, and helping to establish accountability around the globe. The UK has provided both practical and financial support to the ICC, contributing £10.2 million, and working with the Court on sentence enforcement. The UK has also been at the forefront of international efforts to gather and analyse evidence of atrocities in conflict affected areas such as Myanmar, Syria, and Iraq.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 02/06/2020 14:43:55 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1196391

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Emergency Powers: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he has taken to help coordinate an international response to the potential state misuse of emergency powers during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	48431
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK is aware of and concerned by reports of measures taken by some countries in response to the Coronavirus outbreak that may unduly restrict human rights or have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable or marginalised groups. All States must ensure they respect their human rights obligations in responding to Coronavirus.</p><p>Through our international engagement, we have made clear that any actions taken which may restrict certain human rights, for example freedom of assembly or association, must be lawful, non-discriminatory, targeted, time-limited, and subject to regular review to ensure they remain strictly necessary as a response to Coronavirus. The Foreign Secretary issued a statement with his French, German and Dutch counterparts to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, in which he emphasised the need to &quot;oppose all attempts by any state to use the pandemic to adopt restrictions on press freedom, silence debate, abuse journalists or spread information&quot;. On 20 May, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State with responsibility for Human Rights, discussed with Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the critical importance of working together to ensure everyone's human rights are protected in responding to COVID-19, and welcomed plans for the Human Rights Council to resume in June.</p><p>Our Ambassadors to multilateral institutions in New York, Geneva, Strasbourg and Vienna have all raised the importance of human rights in States' response to Coronavirus. We also support the call the UN Secretary-General made when launching his policy brief on COVID-19 and human rights on 22 April that human rights must be at the front and centre of the Coronavirus response and recovery. The UK Government remains committed to standing up for human rights and supports all efforts by the UN to minimise long-term damage to global economies, societies, politics and freedoms.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 02/06/2020 14:38:00 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1196405

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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: Arrests
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the location of 20 people arrested by the Eritrean security forces in November 2019 in the Mendefera and Adi Quala areas in the Southern Zone of the State of Eritrea.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	48457
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that at least 20 Muslim males, including local businessmen, religious teachers and community leaders, were arrested in Mendefera and Adi Quala on 28 November by Eritrean security forces. It is difficult for diplomatic staff to verify such reports given the lack of free media reporting in Eritrea and Eritrean Government restrictions on internal travel by diplomats.</p><p>Eritrea remains a priority country for the FCO in our annual human rights reporting, and we will continue to monitor the situation there. We regularly raise our concerns about human rights in Eritrea with their Government and in international fora. On 26 February, the UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights delivered a statement during the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council expressing concern at continuing human rights abuses; she welcomed Eritrean acceptance of Universal Periodic Review recommendations with an offer to support their implementation, and called for the UN Special Rapporteur to be allowed to visit Eritrea.</p><p>During visits to Eritrea, the FCO's Head of East Africa Department, in November 2019, and the Home Office International Director, in February 2020, both raised human rights issues with senior members of the Eritrean government, including Freedom of Expression and National Service. In April our Ambassador in Asmara raised the prospect of releasing prisoners given their increasing risk of infection from Covid-19 with the President's chief political adviser, Yemane Gebreab.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 27/05/2020 14:15:45 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1196406

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Ethiopia: Refugees
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 his Ethiopian counterpart on that country's change to its asylum policy in January 2020 towards Eritrean refugees.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	48458
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government is concerned about the recent changes in Ethiopia's status determination procedures for asylum seekers. We have sought a dialogue with the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) on its changes so that we can discuss how they will be delivered and the implications for those fleeing from Eritrea and elsewhere. Through our £170 million refugee and migration programme in Ethiopia (2016-2023), the UK is a leading donor to the refugee response in Ethiopia and plays a proactive role in the coordination of the refugee response alongside UN agencies, other donors and the GoE.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 27/05/2020 14:18:12 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1196437

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Israeli Settlements
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications of the proposed annexation of the West Bank for (a) peace in Israel and the Middle East and (b) the future of a two-state solution.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	48599
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May, we are concerned by reports that the new Israeli Government coalition has reached an agreement which may pave the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law. The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution. We will continue to press Israel and the Palestinians strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions which make peace more difficult.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 27/05/2020 16:31:20 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1196551

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Human Rights: Finance
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 publish the amount of funding allocated by his Department to UK human rights organisations and what the (a) subject and (b) campaign category for each of those allocations.
tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
uin	48343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>The FCO allocated £17.66m to its human rights, democracy and the rules based international system programme work in financial year 2019-2020. Projects included efforts to combat modern slavery; defending the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief; supporting the right of human rights defenders to carry out their work; promoting the development and strengthening of democracy; opposing the death penalty and the use of torture; gender equality; and defending the right to freedom of the media and freedom of expression. Programme funding allocations for financial year 2020-2021 are yet to be confirmed.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 27/05/2020 16:18:04 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

1196579

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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: Chief Scientific Advisers
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 meetings he had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (a) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (b) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.
tabling member constituency	Tunbridge Wells
tabling member printed	Greg Clark
uin	48355
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have continued to have contact with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser, and her office, during this period. Most recently I [Minister Adams] met with her on 11 March 2020.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 27/05/2020 16:47:54 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark

1196670

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Punjab: Coronavirus
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 UK nationals stranded in (a) Amritsar and (b) Punjab; and what steps he is taking to repatriate them.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	48576
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working around the clock, through our Posts overseas and in London, to make sure all British travellers who need and want to return to the UK are receiving the support and information they need. We have now brought home over 33,600 people on 162 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 32 countries and territories.</p><p>India is a priority for the UK Government and we have been working closely with both airlines and the government of India to ensure British travellers can return home.</p><p>As of 26 May, we have brought home over 17,000 people from 11 locations in India, including Amritsar and Punjab. These have carried almost all of those in India who registered, are eligible, and took up the option of a flight when given the chance to do so. We continue to review and assess both the demand for flights and the situation in India and our consular teams are supporting British travellers who have not been able to fly.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 02/06/2020 14:41:37 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1196792

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
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	Trade Unions: Coronavirus
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 monitor abuse of trade union rights during the worldwide economic downturn.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	48267
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK is aware of and concerned by reports of measures taken by some countries in response to the Coronavirus outbreak that may unduly restrict human rights or have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable or marginalised groups. All States must ensure they respect their human rights obligations in responding to Coronavirus. Through our international engagement, we have made clear that any actions taken which may restrict certain human rights, for example freedom of assembly or association, must be lawful, non-discriminatory, targeted, time-limited, and subject to regular review to ensure they remain strictly necessary as a response to Coronavirus. The UK Government remains committed to standing up for human rights and supports all efforts by the UN to minimise long-term damage to global economies, societies, politics and freedoms.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 27/05/2020 16:50:00 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar