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872293

registered interest
date	26/03/2018
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	Religious Freedom
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 posts there are in his Department relating to policy on freedom of religion or belief.
tabling member constituency	Congleton
tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
uin	134207
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2018 answer text <p>​Many departments within the FCO promote freedom of religion and belief as part of their work. The same is true of staff at Embassies and High Commissions overseas. It is therefore not possible to give an exact figure for the number of staff working on this issue.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 29/03/2018 09:18:32 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce

844706

registered interest
date	20/02/2018
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	Religious Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to provide training on freedom of religion or belief for officials of his Department.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	903909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>The FCO provides religious literacy training and organises ad-hoc seminars on specific freedom of religion or belief related themes. These are advertised widely and are open to all staff. Our Diplomatic Academy provides in depth training on human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/02/2018 17:42:24 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

523183

registered interest
date	06/06/2016
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	Religious Freedom
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 he has made of the potential effects of the appointment of an EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	39531
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2016 answer text <p>The Government notes the designation of Mr Jan Figel as special advisor to Commissioner Mimica on religious issues. We look forward to the presentation of his proposed mandate for discussion by EU Member States’ human rights experts. The Government is strongly committed to the defence of freedom of religion or belief globally and will work to ensure that Mr Figel’s appointment contributes to this goal.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 13/06/2016 13:08:22 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington previous answer version 2872 answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

521572

registered interest
date	25/05/2016
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	Religious Freedom
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 staff of his Department at what grades have received training on the international human rights context for freedom of religion or belief in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	38582
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2016 answer text <p>Since 2010, the FCO has run an Advanced Human Rights course which has included a module on freedom of religion or belief (FORB). Approximately 160 staff from across all grades have attended this course over this period. For the vast majority of that period we have also covered FORB on our Introduction to Human Rights Course. We estimate that around 600 staff have attended this course. Training on FORB remains a core element of human rights training under the FCO’s Diplomatic Academy. In addition, we have run a course on religion and foreign policy since 2013. 188 people have completed this course since Autumn 2015.</p> answering member constituency Runnymede and Weybridge answering member printed Mr Philip Hammond question first answered 06/06/2016 16:35:51 answering member 105 label Biography information for Lord Hammond of Runnymede
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

436261

registered interest
date	08/12/2015
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	Religious Freedom
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 UK embassies are taking to promote religious freedoms.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Diana Johnson
uin	19279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2015 answer text <p>Through our network of Embassies and High Commissions, the Government regularly urges governments across the world to protect the right of all individuals to practise their religion or belief free from persecution or discrimination.</p><p>We promote this freedom bilaterally by raising individual cases with governments and by seeking to influence them to remove discriminatory legislation or practices. We also promote religious freedom in multilateral fora by working together with our international partners</p><p>For example, in Burma, we have raised our deep concern at the rise of hate speech and religious intolerance with the Burmese authorities and will continue to do so, both publicly and in private. We have supported a number of projects, including developing relationships between Burmese youth and different religious communities, and arranging exchanges between activists on religious freedom in Burma and Indonesia. In Iraq, we are funding a project to prevent intolerance and violence towards religious communities by strengthening the ability of youth and civil society to advocate the right to freedom of religion or belief.</p><p>Promoting freedom of religion or belief is a priority for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Human Rights and Democracy Programme. Since 2011, 35 projects have been funded in 12 countries.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 14/12/2015 17:34:38 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

385845

registered interest
date	25/06/2015
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	Religious Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had in the G7 and the EU on steps to reduce threats to religious freedom in Africa and the Middle East.
tabling member constituency	South Down
tabling member printed	Ms Margaret Ritchie
uin	4279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government is fully committed to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief and will stand up for the freedom of people of all religions – and non-religious people – to practise their beliefs in peace and safety. The FCO Annual Human Rights Report outlines our position and activities.</p><p>My officials and I take every opportunity to discuss this critical issue with our European and G7 counterparts. At a global level we work through bodies such as the United Nations to encourage worldwide acceptance of the importance of freedom of religion or belief. At the 27 March UN debate on the persecution of minorities in the Middle East, I called for stronger leadership from governments and communities in the region to continue working for tolerance and reconciliation. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have also represented the UK at international discussions designed to promote closer EU/transatlantic co-operation regarding religion and its impact on global affairs.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/06/2015 15:07:58 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

381151

registered interest
date	15/06/2015
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	Religious Freedom
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 that the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld across the world; and if he will appoint an envoy for that purpose.
tabling member constituency	Ilford North
tabling member printed	Wes Streeting
uin	2498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>All FCO Ministers raise the issue of freedom of religion or belief in bilateral and multilateral fora, whenever relevant, as a core part of our existing human rights work. We consider this the most effective approach.</p><p>The Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns met the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief on 17 June to set out the UK’s commitment to uphold globally freedom of religion or belief. On 18 June she met the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rabbi David Saperstein, to discuss upcoming joint action. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials attended the inaugural meeting of an International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief to discuss how we can better work together internationally. Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar addressed staff in the FCO on the subject of “Faith, Freedom and Foreign Policy” as part of the FCO’s ongoing religious literacy initiative.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 22/06/2015 13:27:56 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington previous answer version 7065 answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	4504 label Biography information for Wes Streeting

347360

registered interest
date	28/05/2015
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	Religious Freedom
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 protect international religious freedom and reduce global religious persecution.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	433
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government will stand up for the freedom of people of all religions – and non-religious people – to practise their beliefs in peace and safety. The UK will continue to work actively both bilaterally and multilaterally to ensure that States protect the right of all individuals to practise their religion or belief free from persecution or discrimination. The Government led efforts to rescue stranded Yazidis on Mount Sinjar after their persecution by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.</p><p>The UK is also active in the United Nations, European Union and other relevant international organisations in calling on States to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief and ensure the free and equal participation of all in society. The UK is an active member of the Canadian-led International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 02/06/2015 14:16:17 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

224716

registered interest
date	03/03/2015
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	Religious Freedom
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 staff in his Department's Human Rights and Democracy section work in the area of freedom of religion or belief.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	226038
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2015 answer text <p>Within the Human Rights and Democracy Department (HRDD), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has one full time Desk Officer wholly dedicated to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), who works closely with the Team Leader in the Equalities and Non-Discrimination Team, who themselves spend approximately 50% of their time on FoRB. Additionally, the Head and the Deputy Head of HRDD spend approximately 5% and 20% respectively of their time on FoRB issues; one Human Rights Advisor spends 5% and one HRDD Communications Officer approximately 10%.</p><p>As FoRB is one of only six thematic human rights priorities for the FCO, a considerable number of other FCO officials in London and overseas are engaged directly on FoRB as part of their wider human rights work.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 06/03/2015 12:10:21 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

91015

registered interest
date	08/09/2014
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	Religious Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to tackle religious persecution internationally.
tabling member constituency	North Swindon
tabling member printed	Justin Tomlinson
uin	208594
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2014 answer text <p>The promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief is one of the UK’s human rights priorities. We actively raise individual cases and work to combat discriminatory legislation and practices through multilateral systems and targeted project work. In the last month alone, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers have expressed grave concern about persecution of individuals on the grounds of their religion or belief in Syria, Pakistan and Iraq.</p><p> </p><p>Most recently, at the Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Iraq on 1 September we and international partners sponsored a resolution which commits the Council to working with the government of Iraq “to foster religious freedom and pluralism by promoting the ability of members of all religious communities to manifest their religion and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society, and to take appropriate measures to prevent attacks against persons on the basis of their religion or belief and to prosecute the perpetrators of such attacks.” We will work actively with the newly formed government of Iraq to support them in this aim.</p><p> </p><p>As a recent example of our project work, last week we also sponsored a conference to share best practice between human rights defenders and journalists working on freedom of religion or belief issues in South Asia.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to be active bilaterally, multilaterally, through project work and in providing training to our staff to tackle religious persecution internationally.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 11/09/2014 10:09:57 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson