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1258290

registered interest
date	03/12/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	China: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the next UK-China Human Rights dialogue will take place; and whether that dialogue will include concerns on violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief against Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and others.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	124865
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2020 answer text <p>The last round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue took place in Beijing on 27 and 28 June 2017. We do not have dates for the next round of the Dialogue, but continue to raise our serious concerns about human rights in China, including violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief directly with the Chinese authorities and at the UN. The Foreign Secretary has raised his concerns with his Chinese counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a number of occasions in the past year.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 09/12/2020 16:04:01 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1258291

registered interest
date	03/12/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Early Rain Covenant Church
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of reports of harassment of members of Early Rain Church in China during the pandemic; and whether he has made representations to his Chinese counterpart about the alleged harassment.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	124866
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of credible reports of the closure or demolition of unregistered churches in some areas of China, including the Early Rain Covenant Church and the arrest and detention of it's Pastor Wang Yi.</p><p>In January 2020 Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, raised concerns about his sentence to 9 years in prison after a secret trial. We regularly raise our concerns about restrictions on freedom of religion and belief with the Chinese authorities.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 11/12/2020 14:15:58 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1258292

registered interest
date	03/12/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Zhang Zhan
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he has made representations to his Chinese counterpart on behalf of the detained Christian lawyer and journalist Zhang Zhan.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	124867
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned by Zhang Zhan's case, and will continue to follow it closely. A free press and the free flow of information are vital for good governance. We have consistently raised our concerns about media freedoms in China and will continue to do so</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 09/12/2020 16:06:18 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1255388

registered interest
date	25/11/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Zimbabwe.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	121015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2020 answer text <p>The UK regularly engages with the Government of Zimbabwe to raise serious concerns about the political, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. I delivered these messages when I last spoke to Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, and in a letter I wrote to him on 12 August. Our Ambassador in Harare reinforced these messages when she met representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe on 24 November. In particular, she raised our deep concerns on human rights, lack of progress on political reform and chronic economic mismanagement. Most recently, I tweeted on 17 November about the prosecution of MDC activists, Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri. I also tweeted on 13 November to express my concerns regarding continued prosecutions of journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, reiterating that the UK is committed to defending media freedom and human rights. We will continue to speak out, both privately and in public, where we have concerns and will work alongside the international community to support a better future for all Zimbabweans.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 04/12/2020 11:24:42 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1234124

registered interest
date	14/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Baha'i Faith
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has received reports of a court hearing in Sana’a, Yemen on 22 August 2020 in which six Baha'i's who were pardoned and released from custody were declared fugitives; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	89857
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>We welcome the long overdue release of six Baha'is from Houthi detention, but it is deeply concerning that they were detained for their beliefs in the first place and that they cannot live freely and peacefully in their country. We are monitoring the situation closely and we strongly condemn the continued persecution of the Baha'i in Yemen for their religious beliefs. We are working closely with our partners to raise these concerns directly with the Houthi authorities and urge the release of all Yemenis detained for their beliefs or nationality. We continue to follow the treatment of the Baha'is in Yemen closely, including through meeting their representatives in the UK and lobbying the relevant authorities. We continue to call on the parties to the conflict to respect the human rights of all Yemenis.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 89858 question first answered 21/09/2020 13:20:11 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1234126

registered interest
date	14/09/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Baha'i Faith
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reports he has received on the situation of the Baha'i' community in north Yemen; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	89858
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>We welcome the long overdue release of six Baha'is from Houthi detention, but it is deeply concerning that they were detained for their beliefs in the first place and that they cannot live freely and peacefully in their country. We are monitoring the situation closely and we strongly condemn the continued persecution of the Baha'i in Yemen for their religious beliefs. We are working closely with our partners to raise these concerns directly with the Houthi authorities and urge the release of all Yemenis detained for their beliefs or nationality. We continue to follow the treatment of the Baha'is in Yemen closely, including through meeting their representatives in the UK and lobbying the relevant authorities. We continue to call on the parties to the conflict to respect the human rights of all Yemenis.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 89857 question first answered 21/09/2020 13:20:11 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1229100

registered interest
date	28/08/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Zimbabwe.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	82371
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2020 answer text <p>The UK is seriously concerned about the challenging human rights situation and the continuing abductions, arrests and assault of civil society and opposition activists. We have been clear that the Government of Zimbabwe must meet its international and domestic obligations by respecting the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and committing to genuine political and economic reform for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. This is a prerequisite for further international support. I delivered these messages when I spoke to Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, and in a letter I wrote to the Foreign Minister on 12 August.</p><p>The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is also deeply worrying. Before the onset of Covid-19 Zimbabwe was already facing a humanitarian crisis due to drought and a deteriorating economy. According to recent estimates, by December more than 8.6 million Zimbabweans will likely be without the food they need. In response, we have committed £35.4 million to a Programme managed by the UN World Food Programme to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable Zimbabweans. We have also allocated £5 million to UNICEF for cholera prevention and emergency response, and £21.24 million to the Covid-19 response in Zimbabwe to ensure vital care services can continue. None of this money is channelled directly through the government.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge grouped question UIN 82373 question first answered 07/09/2020 15:14:00 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1229133

registered interest
date	28/08/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Maira Shahbaz
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to hold discussions with his Pakistani counterpart to raise concerns on the recent ruling of Lahore High Court in Pakistan in favour of a man who kidnapped at gunpoint a 14-year-old Christian girl, Maira Shahbaz, and allegedly fabricated a marriage certificate and forced her to convert to Islam.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	82372
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2020 answer text <p>We are closely monitoring Maira Shahbaz's case following her reported abduction in April. We are concerned about women's and girls' rights and ongoing reports of forced marriage and forced conversion in Pakistan, including such reports of this happening to women and girls from religious minorities such as Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls.</p><p>We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girl's rights and gender equality with the government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised our human rights concerns with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 15 July.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 09/09/2020 12:44:14 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1229146

registered interest
date	28/08/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Humanitarian Situation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	82373
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2020 answer text <p>The UK is seriously concerned about the challenging human rights situation and the continuing abductions, arrests and assault of civil society and opposition activists. We have been clear that the Government of Zimbabwe must meet its international and domestic obligations by respecting the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and committing to genuine political and economic reform for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. This is a prerequisite for further international support. I delivered these messages when I spoke to Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, and in a letter I wrote to the Foreign Minister on 12 August.</p><p>The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is also deeply worrying. Before the onset of Covid-19 Zimbabwe was already facing a humanitarian crisis due to drought and a deteriorating economy. According to recent estimates, by December more than 8.6 million Zimbabweans will likely be without the food they need. In response, we have committed £35.4 million to a Programme managed by the UN World Food Programme to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable Zimbabweans. We have also allocated £5 million to UNICEF for cholera prevention and emergency response, and £21.24 million to the Covid-19 response in Zimbabwe to ensure vital care services can continue. None of this money is channelled directly through the government.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge grouped question UIN 82371 question first answered 07/09/2020 15:14:00 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1229275

registered interest
date	28/08/2020
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	New Zealand: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his New Zealand counterpart.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	82374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2020 answer text <p>As one of our closest international partners, the Government has frequent contact with New Zealand. The Foreign Secretary last spoke to his New Zealand counterpart on 30 April. They discussed the international response to Covid-19 and Commonwealth Engagement. The Minister for Pacific and the Environment spoke to the New Zealand Climate Change Minister on 7 May to discuss COP 26 and the recovery from Covid-19.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 18/09/2020 13:36:00 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones