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1132627

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the speech by the Foreign Secretary at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day in Addis Ababa on 2 May, what action they have taken to (1) "shine a spotlight on abuses" of media freedom in (a) Malta, and (b) Saudi Arabia, and (2) "raise the price for those who would murder, arrest or detain journalists just for doing their jobs" as part of their Media Freedom campaign.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL16405
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​As part of our Media Freedom Campaign we have been working to raise the profile of media freedom across the globe. As an example, many of our posts held events to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. We created a new Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship, enabling 60 African journalists over the next 5 years to gain experience in the newsrooms of Britain's leading media organisations. The Foreign Secretary has appointed Amal Clooney as his Special Envoy on Media Freedom and she is convening a High Level Panel of Legal Experts who will generate increased momentum around the need to amend outdated legislation. We are also building an alliance of likeminded partners who will lobby with us on individual cases.</p><p>With regards to Malta, we have made clear our position on the tragic death of Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017, that all those responsible must be held to account. We continue to raise this case with the Maltese government and have encouraged engagement with the Media Freedom campaign and its aim to increase the protection of journalists worldwide. On Saudi Arabia, we remain concerned about deterioration in freedom of expression and freedom of the press. We work closely with the Saudi Arabian government on issues related to media freedom. We also raise individual cases of detained journalists with Saudi counterparts. The UK has condemned Jamal Khashoggi's killing in the strongest possible terms. Anyone found responsible for any offence must be held fully accountable.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:02:39 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic

1132615

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Sudan: Demonstrations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following reports of the role played by the Rapid Support Forces in dispersing protesters in Sudan resulting in deaths in Khartoum and Darfur, what plans they have to reassess the UK’s role on the Steering Committee of the European Commission’s Khartoum Process, including their financial contribution to that Process.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL16393
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The purpose of the Khartoum Process is to facilitate an EU-Africa dialogue on managing migration, combatting organised immigration crime and addressing the devastating effects of trafficking in the Horn and North Africa. It is called the Khartoum Process because the agreement was signed in Khartoum but it is not specific to Sudan. It is a regional mechanism for European and Horn of Africa countries to cooperate that is currently Chaired by Eritrea. The UK remains a member of the Steering Committee, which is vital to helping steer this important work.</p><p>Part of the EU-African joint efforts to tackle organised immigration crime in the Horn of Africa is delivered through the 'Regional Operations Centre Khartoum' (ROCK), to which the UK has contributed funding for a specialist expert in the past. However, due to recent events in Sudan, EU funded work on the ROCK is suspended. Our officials in London, the region and Brussels are in frequent contact with EU partners to ensure that all work in Sudan reflects the current situation, in line with our human rights priorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:43:39 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1132632

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Mauritius: Diplomatic Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government why the lunch traditionally hosted by the British High Commissioner in Mauritius to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen did not take place this year.
tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
uin	HL16410
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​Queen's Birthday Parties are a celebration of Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday. They are an opportunity to celebrate the relationships between the UK and other countries. Coming so soon after the unjustified and incendiary remarks made about the UK by the Mauritian Prime Minister, it did not feel appropriate to hold an event in Mauritius this year.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:45:14 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

1132630

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Philippines: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of the Philippines on (1) establishing an independent investigation into the killing of Adam Moraleta in Quezon City, on 6 June, and (2) the number of journalists who have been killed in that country since 1986; and what assessment they have made of the number of journalists killed in that country.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL16408
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>We have not made representations on the case of the death of Adam Moraleta due to the ongoing investigation by the Philippines authorities.</p><p>Accurate historical figures for the number of journalists killed in the Philippines are difficult to ascertain. Estimates from NGOs vary between 82 killings since 1992 and 185 killings since 1986.</p><p>In recognition of the threat journalists face globally, the Foreign Secretary launched a Global Media Freedom campaign to shine a spotlight on the issue and raise the cost to those who target journalists.</p><p>The UK remains concerned about reports of human rights abuses in the Philippines, including the treatment of journalists and land rights campaigners. The Rt Hon Mark Field MP raised these concerns with Philippines Ministers, including the then Minister for Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, during his visit to Manila in August 2018.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:47:01 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1132633

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to reach an agreement with the government of Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Archipelago; and what consideration they have given to appointing an independent panel to lead exploratory negotiations about any such agreement.
tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
uin	HL16411
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​We remain disappointed that this matter was referred to the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly. We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. The UK values its long standing relationship with Mauritius and is keen to continue to engage productively on this issue.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:03:07 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

1132611

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Pakistan: Indigenous Peoples
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure (1) the survival of the culture and religion of the Kalash people in Pakistan, and (2) that the members of that community are not forced to convert their religious beliefs.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL16389
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable including minority groups as laid down in the Constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards.</p><p>The Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Human Rights Minister during his visit to Pakistan in February.</p><p>We strongly condemn forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan and we engage at a senior level on the mistreatment of religious and ethnic groups.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 15:51:54 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1132644

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Sudan: Demonstrations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to call for urgent action to bring the current violence in Sudan to an end and to protect the Sudanese civilian population and to establish an independent, international investigation into the use of force against protesters by the State Security Forces, and in particular the Rapid Support Forces.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL16422
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK continues to engage with a range of opposition, members of the protest movement as well as the Transitional Military Council (TMC). The UK, alongside Troika partners Norway and the US, has called for all sides to engage in an inclusive dialogue that leads to a swift, orderly and peaceful transition to civilian rule.</p><p>On 4 June in a joint Troika statement, we condemned the recent violent attacks by Sudanese security forces against peaceful protestors in Sudan which left many civilians dead or injured. We also expressed serious concern over TMC's announcement that it would cease negotiations and called for an agreed transfer of power to a civilian-led government. Our Embassy in Khartoum calls on members of the TMC both in public and directly, the steps that are needed to be taken to improve the situation in Sudan, including the release of all political detainees.</p><p>We have expressed concerns at the past role of the Rapid Support Forces, along with other forces. We have been consistent in public and in private that there must be accountability for the crimes committed by members of the former regime. We condemn the recent violent attacks by Sudanese security forces against peaceful protestors in Sudan, which left many dead or injured. The TMC bears full responsibility. The UK, through the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) issued a statement on 17 June, which called for all human rights violations and abuses committed to be investigated in an independent and transparent manner, and perpetrators held accountable for their acts.</p><p>On 6 June, the Minister for Africa summoned the Sudanese Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to express our grave concerns at the use of violence against civilians by the Sudanese authorities. The UK has called for the human rights of all Sudanese people to be respected, the resumption of the political process leading to an agreed peaceful transfer of power to a civilian-led government, as demanded by the Sudanese people. We will continue to engage with all sides to support a settlement that works for all Sudanese people.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 15:51:26 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1132626

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to invite the families of Jamal Khashoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia to the Global Conference for Media Freedom in July.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL16404
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​As this is the first ever Ministerial gathering on the issue of media freedom we want to make sure that the personal stories of journalists targeted for their work form the centre of the conference. We are therefore making sure that most panels include a journalist with a personal story, or a member of their family. High profile cases, like those of Jamal Khashoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia will feature, but there are other cases that are less high profile but whose victims also deserve justice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:40:04 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic

1132631

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Developing Countries: Prostitution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to share best practice on reducing sex tourism in developing countries, and in addressing corruption linked to sex work and slavery.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL16409
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​The illicit sex trade is closely linked to modern slavery, and the fight against modern slavery is one of the foreign policy priorities of this government. The UK is in the forefront of the international efforts to combat modern slavery, including sexual exploitation, and this government has committed over £200 million of UK Aid to this end. We work in partnership with host governments, where appropriate, to help them strengthen their domestic legislation, to build capacity in their law enforcement authorities, and to raise awareness among vulnerable communities.</p><p>We take the question of illegal sex tourism by UK nationals overseas very seriously, and Section 72 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 also allows for the prosecution of UK nationals/residents who sexually abuse or exploit children, wherever in the world they commit these acts. Combatting criminal offending and safeguarding of victims is almost always best achieved through local intervention and local support mechanisms. However, where there is a safeguarding issue or an ongoing risk to children, proceedings can be brought in England and Wales against the individual, regardless of whether the local authorities have sought to bring such action.</p><p>Our network of tri-departmental Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office and the Department For International Development Serious and Organised Crime Regional Coordinators, and National Crime Agency officers posted overseas, work closely with their host governments in the fight against all forms of organised crime, including child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). The network's aim is to fuse and enhance the response to transnational serious and organised crime. The Government is also enhancing its understanding of the nature and impact of international illicit finance (including corruption), demonstrating the UK's global leadership in tackling it. We will engage with partner governments to build both the political will and the capability to tackle this threat. In addition, as part of the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2017-2022, we are taking forward a wide range of programmes and initiatives to tackle corruption internationally.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:41:33 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1132645

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
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	Sudan: Radicalism
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have on the number of Islamist extremists, including supporters of IS, who are now located in Sudan; and what strategy they have to ensure that Sudan does not become a base for violent Islamist extremist activity.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL16423
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>We do not hold information on the number of Islamist extremists located and operating in Sudan. The British Government will continue to work with international partners to seek a sustainable long-term solution to the complex issue of suspected Daesh terrorists. We remain strongly committed to the objective of ensuring Daesh's enduring defeat. In addition we fully support the mediation efforts led by the African Union to secure a transition to a civilian-led authority in Sudan, which is vital to long term stability and to the building of democracy, which will in turn help prevent the proliferation of extremist groups and their ideology.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:45:50 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian