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760087

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Nepal: 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 state of freedom of religion or belief in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>The right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Nepali Constitution of September 2015, however we are concerned that provisions around changing religion are open to interpretation. Freedom of religion or belief – particularly conversion - remains a sensitive issue. Our Embassy in Kathmandu monitors the human rights situation closely and has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal's parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations, this includes freedom of religion or belief, and we will continue to do so. I also raise these issues with the Nepalese Ambassador to London at a meeting on 9 October 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:35:15 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760088

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Nepal: Freedom of Expression
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 the Government of Nepal on the state of freedom of expression in that country following the arrest of eight Christians in Charikot in June 2016.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>Our Embassy in Kathmandu has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal’s parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations, including freedom of religion or belief. I raised these issues with the Nepalese Ambassador to London at a meeting on 9 October 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:24:38 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760089

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Nepal: United Nations
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 take steps to encourage the Government of Nepal to extend standing invitations to UN Special Procedures, including the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>​Our officials in Kathmandu have encouraged the Government of Nepal to implement the recommendations made by the UN Working Group on Universal Periodic Review: Nepal which includes extending an invitation to the UN special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. We will continue to encourage the Government of Nepal to meet its international human rights obligations.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:16:22 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760090

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Nepal: 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 effect of the Criminal Code Bill 2014, passed on 8 August 2017 by the Nepali Government, on freedom of religion or belief in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>Whilst the final legislation is not yet public the draft version of the Criminal code criminalised religious conversion and the hurting of religious sentiment, which could be interpreted in a way that would limit people’s rights to express their religion and, potentially, their right to choose their religion.</p><p>During drafting our officials in Nepal met with the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to discuss the bill and raise the need for compliance with international human rights standards. This includes ensuring the protection of the right to change religion.</p><p>I have also raised this matter in my most recent meeting with the Nepalese Ambassador to London on 9 October 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:21:52 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760091

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Nepal: 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 effect of Article 26(3) of the Nepalese Constitution on freedom of religion or belief in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/10/2017 answer text <p>The Constitution of Nepal, 2015 under article 26 (1) guarantees freedom of religion as a fundamental right. Sub-article 3 states that in exercise of the right conferred by this article, one cannot do, or cause to be done, any act which may be contrary to public health, decency and morality, breach public peace, convert another person from one religion to another or any other act or conduct that may jeopardize another’s religion. These subsequent provisions may be interpreted in a way that would limit people’s rights to express their religion and, potentially, their right to choose their religion.</p><p>Our Embassy in Kathmandu has consistently encouraged the Government of Nepal and members of Nepal’s parliament to ensure Nepal meets its international human rights obligations. This includes ensuring freedom of religion or belief. I raised these issues with the Nepalese Ambassador to London at a meeting on 9 October.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 09/10/2017 15:25:36 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

760093

registered interest
date	13/09/2017
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	Somalia: Piracy
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 reduce levels of maritime piracy off the Somali coast.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2017 answer text <p>​The UK plays a leading role in the fight against piracy in the Western Indian Ocean. We contribute to the Commander and Operational Headquarters of the EU's counter piracy mission, EU Navel Force (NAVFOR) Operation Atalanta. We also contribute to the Deputy Commander for the Combined Maritime Force, whose Task Force 151 has a specific focus on counter piracy. We are also a supporter of bilateral and multilateral maritime security capacity building programmes in the region. Between 2010 and 2016, the UK contributed over £17.2m to these programmes, which have helped to support counter-piracy efforts, increase regional maritime awareness and improve legal frameworks.</p><p>In May 2017, the UK hosted and co-chaired the London Somalia Conference, at which the international community reaffirmed its commitment to deterring and combatting piracy, and the Federal Government and the Federal Member States of Somalia reiterated their commitment to improving maritime security and building a capable coastguard.</p><p>According to EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta, there have been six piracy attacks on commercial vessels in the region in 2017. Of those, only one – an attack against a Comoros flagged oil tanker, the <em>Aris 13,</em> on 13 March 2017 – was successful. By contrast, in 2011, there were 176 reported piracy attacks.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 11/10/2017 16:42:06 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

759318

registered interest
date	11/09/2017
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	Malaysia: Corporal Punishment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Malaysia on introducing public caning under Sharia law.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	9990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>​We are aware of the Private Member's Bill proposed by the PAS party to the Malaysian Parliament to expand the jurisdiction of Sharia courts in Malaysia to allow Islamic punishments (hudud). We have a regular dialogue on human rights with the Malaysian government, including at Ministerial level. Former Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Alok Sharma MP, discussed a number of issues, including human rights, with Malaysian Ministers during his visit to Kuala Lumpur in April 2017. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London meet periodically with representatives of Malaysian Civil Society to hear their concerns. We will continue to monitor human rights issues and internal developments in Malaysia, working with the EU and other foreign missions in Kuala Lumpur, raising our concerns as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 19/09/2017 15:23:53 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

759319

registered interest
date	11/09/2017
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	Qatar: Counter-terrorism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions the Government has had with the Government of Qatar to reduce terrorism and potential conflict in the Middle East.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>The UK Government regularly raises a range of issues with Qatar. This includes terrorism and regional conflicts, notably Syria, Libya, and Yemen. Discussions on these topics are conducted at all levels – by our officials in Doha and the UK, and in ministerial meetings – including the Sharaka bilateral forum.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/09/2017 10:41:04 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

759320

registered interest
date	11/09/2017
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	South Sudan: Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan on the recent outbreak of violence in South Sudan; and what assistance the Government has offered to the Sudanese Government.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	9993
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>The UK Government is deeply concerned by the conflict in South Sudan, which has caused 2 million people to flee to neighbouring countries, including Sudan. The UK Government does not provide any direct funding to the Government of Sudan. However, through the Department for International Development (DFID)’s South Sudanese Refugees and Migration programme, the UK is providing up to £5 million of support this year to meet the essential humanitarian needs of up to 150,000 South Sudanese refugees in Sudan. DFID is also the largest donor to the UN’s Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which provides support to South Sudanese refugees and other vulnerable people in Sudan. We regularly discuss the conflict with the Government of Sudan, and welcome the opening of three humanitarian corridors by the Government, which has allowed aid to be delivered to the most affected populations.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 19/09/2017 10:45:33 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

759339

registered interest
date	11/09/2017
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	Egypt: Saudi Arabia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Egyptian Government on the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir Islands to Saudi Arabia.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10009
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>The transfer of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir is a sovereign matter between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The UK Government has not had any substantive discussions on the matter with the Egyptian Government.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/09/2017 10:38:18 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon