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147342

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
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	Pakistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the President of Pakistan and the Pakistan High Commissioner in London about the burning to death in Kot Radha Kishan of a Christian couple following allegations of blasphemy.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2746
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>We were shocked by this brutal killing and immediately issued a statement condemning this act. It is essential the authorities investigate these atrocious murders and bring those responsible to justice. We regularly raise the misuse of blasphemy laws with representatives of the Pakistani government. Most recently, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), raised this with the Pakistan High Commissioner on 28 October. We will continue to raise our concerns at the highest levels in Pakistan.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 16:27:57 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

147343

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
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	Middle East
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for providing overseas aid to members of the Syriac Orthodox Church and other Christian communities in Iraq and Syria; and whether they consider that such Christian communities benefit from adequate protection from their governments against ISIL and other Islamic fundamentalists.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2747
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text The UK Government is horrified by the barbaric acts of the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which is seeking to stoke sectarian conflict across the Middle East. Across Syria and Northern Iraq ISIL have launched a campaign of violence and terror and carried out appalling atrocities. They have attacked people of every faith and of none. In Iraq we have committed £23 million of humanitarian assistance to help those who have fled ISIL advances. We are working closely with the Iraqi government and our international coalition partners to assist and protect civilians wherever we can. We welcome the commitments that Prime Minister al-Abadi has made to inclusivity, to protecting Iraqi citizens, addressing human rights abuses and holding those responsible to account. The UK has committed a total of £700 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region. The Syrian regime is seeking to heighten sectarian tension and fear within Christian, and other minority communities, painting the opposition as solely Islamic extremists, with Assad trying to paint himself as the only defender of the Syrian Christians. He is not; he continues to create the conditions for extremism in Syria by prosecuting a war he can’t win, destroying communities and the social fabric of the country. In the long run the only way to secure the position of Syria’s minority communities is to find an inclusive political solution to the crisis. The UK is determined to support the moderate opposition, who are working for an inclusive political settlement, and are committed to protect all of Syria’s communities and resist, extremists and authoritarian regimes. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 16:52:23 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

147345

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
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	Middle East
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking and intend to take in the future to ameliorate the situation of members of the Syriac Orthodox Church and other Christian communities in Iraq and Syria in the light of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in those countries.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2749
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2014 answer text The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of communities on the basis of their religion, belief or ethnicity. We are concerned about the growing number of reports of Christians, and other minority groups, being targeted in Syria with many having already fled to camps in Lebanon, Turkey or Jordan. The UK has committed a total of £700 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region. Of this, £314 million has already been allocated to help ensure refugees from Syria are supported in neighbouring countries. We are supporting non-governmental efforts to promote dialogue between different ethnic and sectarian groups in Syria, with a view to a future political settlement. We are also funding training for Syrian activists to document abuses to a criminal law standard with the aim that this documentation could be used in a future process of accountability. In Iraq we have committed £23 million of humanitarian assistance to help those who have fled Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) advances. Following lobbying from the UK and other international partners, a resolution was passed at the Human Rights Council in September, mandating the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to despatch a mission to investigate and report on ISIL abuses. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), met the Archbishop Athanasius of the Syriac Orthodox Church in London on 29 July to discuss the situation for religious groups in the region and issued a statement condemning reported threats against Christians in Iraq and Syria. We continue to encourage influential religious leaders in Iraq to speak out publicly and condemn sectarian violence. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 20/11/2014 14:28:15 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

105781

registered interest
date	03/11/2014
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	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the status of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advisory Group on freedom of religion or belief; and when the group is expected to next meet.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2594
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2014 answer text <p>The Advisory Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, comprised of civil society experts on this topic, is a Sub-Group of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s Advisory Group on Human Rights. It operates under my Chairmanship and directly informs Foreign and Commonwealth Office policy and activities in this area; and reports to the main Advisory Group. The Sub-Group has met twice so far, on 24 March and 14 October 2014. It is next expected to meet in the Spring.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 11/11/2014 16:08:11 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

99962

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
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	North Korea
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of imports to North Korea of luxury goods in 2013; what assessment they have made of the impact of such imports on the availability of food in that country, in the light of the World Food Programmes's analysis of the situation; and what assessment they have made about the number of goods which were imported from European states which are prohibited from selling luxury goods to North Korea under existing United Nations sanctions.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) does not produce economic statistics, meaning the UK cannot make an accurate assessment on the level of imports of luxury goods. A recent report produced by the UN Panel of Experts, established under UN Security Council Resolutions imposing sanctions on the DPRK, notes ongoing investigations regarding potential violations of sanctions through the import of luxury goods, including some items originating from European states.</p><p>We are also aware of recent South Korean media reports which suggest that the DPRK imported luxury goods worth (US) $644m during 2013. However, given the lack of reliable data, it is difficult to assess the impact of the import of luxury goods on the provision of food for the general population. Should it be proven that the DPRK authorities chose to spend resources on luxury goods rather than feeding the population, this would not only be a deliberate breach of sanctions but would seriously call into question the regime’s economic prioritisation.</p><p>Despite generally good aggregate cereal harvests for the fourth consecutive year in 2014/15, 16 million people remain chronically food insecure and highly vulnerable to production shocks. The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation/World Food Programme Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to the DPRK 2013, reported an estimated uncovered food deficit of 40,000 tonnes for that marketing year. The report stated that the food security situation remained similar to previous years with most households having borderline and poor food consumption.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 14:56:24 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

99963

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
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	North Korea
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by Mr Marzuki Darusman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, that the United Kingdom should consider implementation of all recommendations made by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry in its report, including steps to increase the flow of free and impartial information into North Korea.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2178
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK welcomes the spotlight shone by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on horrific and systemic violations of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We have urged the DPRK authorities to respond in detail to the contents of the report and to address the violations that it documents.</p><p>Although not all recommendations in the COI report apply directly to the UK, where possible we have taken steps to support implementation. For example, on the findings related to trafficking and forced repatriation, we have made clear to the Chinese government that we believe that people who have escaped from the DPRK are entitled to protection and should be allowed safe passage to resettlement in third countries.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/10/2014 15:37:08 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

99964

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
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	North Korea
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that the recommendations accepted by North Korea in the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review have been implemented; and whether they will offer support to North Korea in its implementation of accepted recommendations from its second periodic review.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2179
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>Following the adoption of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on 19 September 2014, the UK issued a statement via our Mission in Geneva welcoming the DPRK’s engagement. We urged the DPRK to fulfil the commitment made to respond to the 185 recommendations which it agreed to examine, and to take concrete steps to implement all the UPR recommendations. We also noted with regret that 83 UPR recommendations did not enjoy the support of the DPRK, particularly those related to the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry, co-operation with the Special Rapporteur, the treatment of political prisoners and closure of political prison camps.</p><p>We have made clear to the DPRK that the UK would be happy to provide technical assistance or advice to the DPRK on any aspect of its human rights performance, including for example information on the UK approach to our own UPR.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/10/2014 15:36:13 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

99965

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
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	Iraq
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of Amnesty International's report <i>Absolute Impunity: Militia Rule in Iraq</i> and its account of retaliatory attacks against IS by Shi’a militias in Baghdad, Samarra and Kirkuk.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2180
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text We have received reports from Amnesty International and others that Shia Militias have committed human rights abuses against Sunni Muslims in Iraq. The UK strongly condemns the persecution of communities on the basis of their religion, belief or ethnicity. We welcome the commitments made by Prime Minister al-Abadi to reorganising the Iraqi Security Forces, integrating volunteer civilian fighters and dissolving militia groups. He has stressed the importance of bringing arms under State supervision in order to prevent abuses by armed civilians. The UK fully supports the Iraqi government in this as well as its efforts to uphold the rule of law and bring those responsible for all violations and abuses of human rights to justice. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:41:06 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

99966

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
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	Iraq
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of Amnesty International’s reports of the discovery of unidentified bodies apparently subjected to executions and its allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by Iraqi government forces; and what discussions they have had with the new government of Iraq about entrenching fundamental human rights principles in law and practice and putting in place mechanisms to hold those responsible to account.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2181
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text The Government strongly condemns any and all abuses or violations of human rights. We have received reports from Amnesty International and others that Iraqi Security Forces have committed human rights violations in Iraq. Concerns also remain around unlawful detention, as well as deficiencies within the Iraqi justice system more generally. The newly formed Government of Iraq has committed to tackling these issues. We welcome the commitments made by Prime Minister al-Abadi to reorganising the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), integrating volunteer civilian fighters and dissolving militia groups, and his order on 13 September to ISF units fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) not to shell in civilian areas, with the aim of preventing civilian casualties. The UK fully supports the Iraqi government in this as well as its efforts to uphold the rule of law and bring those responsible for all violations and abuses of human rights to justice. At the Human Rights Council in September we co-sponsored a resolution which strongly condemns ISIL and also stresses the need for accountability. The resolution was passed by consensus and mandates the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to despatch an urgent mission to investigate and report on ISIL abuses. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 04/11/2014 17:17:20 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

99967

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
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	Pakistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the authorities in Pakistan arising from the decision of the Lahore High Court to reject the appeal of Asia Bibi, and to order her execution, following charges of alleged blasphemy.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2182
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>I am concerned to hear that a Pakistan court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty in the case of Asia Bibi. We support the EU’s recent statement of concern and hope that the verdict will be overturned on appeal. We regularly raise at the highest levels the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and expressed our principled opposition in all cases. We will continue to raise these issues.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:02:25 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool