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1168740

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
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	India: Nationality
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 on the human rights of Muslims in India of that Government's recent decision to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The British Government and the British High Commission in New Delhi are following the human rights situation across India and raise issues with Indian officials where appropriate.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:39:07 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168743

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
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	Persecution of Christians across the Globe Independent Review
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his timescale is for implementing the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	284
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The British government is committed to implementing the recommendations from the Bishop of Truro's Review. The recommendations have been divided into short, medium and longer term priorities and we have already implemented a good number of them. This includes recently appointing a Director General level champion for Freedom of Religion or Belief and marking Red Wednesday in support of persecuted Christians and members of other minority groups. Some of the recommendations will take longer to implement and many will require an ongoing effort to embed into the working practice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Departments.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:44:12 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168744

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
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	Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief
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 (a) reappoint and (b) adequately resource the Prime Minister's Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Wycombe
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Baker
uin	285
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>Rehman Chishti MP has been reappointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. Funding has been agreed for the office which should adequately cover travel and administrative costs.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:46:15 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

1168773

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
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	Iran: Scientists
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Iranian counterpart on the cases of Iranian conservation scientists (a) Niloufar Bayani, (b) Taher Ghadirian, (c) Houman Jokar, (d) Amirhossein Khaleghi Hamidi and (e) Sepideh Kashani; and if he will (i) request the immediate release of the scientists, and (ii) make a statement on the use of torture to extract forced confessions.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	277
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>​We are aware of reports of the sentencing of the Iranian conservation scientists Niloufar Bayani, Taher Ghadirian, Houman Jokar, Amirhossein Khaleghi Hamidi and Sepideh Kashani. The Foreign Secretary has not made representations to his counterpart specifically on these cases because they do not involve British nationals. The UK regularly raises human rights with the Iranian authorities at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues. Any report of the use of torture to extract forced confessions is extremely concerning. The UK consistently and unreservedly condemns torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and it is a priority for us to challenge it wherever and whenever it occurs.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 07/01/2020 10:49:36 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1168774

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
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	Morad Tahbaz
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 Iranian Government on the case of Morad Tahbaz, of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation and British-Iranian citizen; what steps he is taking to secure his release; and what support his Department are providing to him.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>​The British Government remains extremely concerned about the welfare of British-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iran, including Morad Tahbaz. Iran does not recognise dual nationality and therefore does not permit consular access to British-Iranian detainees. We are committed to ensuring that we do everything we can to secure Mr Tahbaz's release, including continuing to press the Iranian authorities for exceptional consular access. The Prime Minister raised his concerns about dual national detentions with President Rouhani on 24 September, and the Foreign Secretary did so with Foreign Minister Zarif on 13 November. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon hosted an event at the UN General Assembly on 25 September to call out the failings of the Iranian judiciary. I raised the issue of dual national detentions with my Iranian counterparts in Tehran in June.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 07/01/2020 10:51:06 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1168831

registered interest
date	20/12/2019
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	India: Nationality
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 implications for protestors' human rights of the recent response by police and security services to protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 in India.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Ms Lyn Brown
uin	271
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions are following reports on the continued protests in India and the Indian Government response. We are following the situation and raise issues with Indian officials where appropriate.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:41:10 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1168288

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
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	Cyprus: Politics and Government
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 support a solution to the division on the island of Cyprus.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	86
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to reunite Cyprus, based on the internationally accepted model of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality for all. I visited Cyprus on 4 October to encourage progress towards an enduring solution. We will continue this regular dialogue. We call on all parties to engage constructively in talks about a settlement and demonstrate they are committed to making progress.</p><p>The United Kingdom believes a reunited Cyprus would unlock significant economic benefits through increased opportunities for trade, investment and tourism, and open up the possibility of new energy and economic partnerships in the region. This will benefit everyone on the island of Cyprus. A settlement would bolster the island's security and help to advance regional stability.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 07/01/2020 16:14:05 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1168322

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
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	Cameroon: Peace Negotiations
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 his Cameroonian counterpart on a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Cameroon.
tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
uin	68
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The British Government remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon. We continue to maintain a spotlight on the crisis and raise our concerns at the highest levels, including with the Government of Cameroon, at the United Nations (UN) and with international partners. At a UN security Council briefing session on 6 December, the UK welcomed the National Dialogue that took place in Cameroon from 30 September – 4 October. The latter was called by the government and is an initial step to bring parties together. During a visit to Cameroon in September the FCO’s Permanent Under-Secretary urged the government to ensure the National Dialogue was comprehensive and inclusive. It is imperative that the Government of Cameroon now engages in inclusive discussions about the root causes of the crisis and follows up on all the recommendations made at the National Dialogue. Supporting security, stability and good governance in Africa is a foreign policy priority and we urge all sides to engage in efforts to bring peace to the North-West and South-West regions. The UK has shared experiences with the Government of Cameroon on conflict resolution and remains ready to support.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 07/01/2020 10:47:54 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

1168328

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
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	China: Uyghurs
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 adequacy of the (a) governance and (b) humanitarian situation of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province, China.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	225
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>We have serious concerns about the human rights and humanitarian situation in Xinjiang, where there are credible reports of Uyghurs and other minorities being detained.” British diplomats in China visit Xinjiang regularly, most recently in November, in order to see the situation at first-hand. Their observations have supported much of the recent open source reporting, including reports of widespread surveillance measures, restrictions targeted at specific ethnic groups, and restrictions on the ability to freely practice religion.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:25:00 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1168329

registered interest
date	19/12/2019
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	China: Human Rights
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 his UN counterparts on improving humanitarian access in Xinjiang province, China.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	226
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>We regularly discuss concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang with likeminded partners at the UN. We have issued or joined a number of statements of concern in recent months: on 29 October at UN Third Committee, the UK read out a joint statement signed by 22 others drawing attention to the human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang and called on China to uphold its obligations to respect human rights; on 24 September, during the UN General Assembly Lord (Tariq) Ahmad called on China to allow UN observers immediate and unfettered access to the region; on 17 September, at the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK again called for UN experts to be granted unfettered access to Xinjiang and raised our concerns on arbitrary detention.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 07/01/2020 09:29:23 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan