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1015535

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Integrity Initiative
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has (a) funded, (b) provided contracts to and (c) procured the services of the Integrity Initiative in each financial year since 2015/16.
tabling member constituency	Derby North
tabling member printed	Chris Williamson
uin	196177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The Institute for Statecraft is an independent, Scottish, charitable body whose work seeks to improve governance and enhance national security. They launched the Integrity Initiative in 2015 to defend democracy against disinformation.</p><p>In financial year 2017/18, the FCO funded the Institute for Statecraft's Integrity Initiative £296,500. This financial year, the FCO is funding a further £1,961,000. Both have been funded through grant agreements.</p><p>At the Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2017, the Prime Minister announced that the UK Government has committed £100m over five years to tackling this threat internationally.</p><p>Such funding furthers our commitment to producing important work to counter disinformation and other malign influence.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 03/12/2018 10:04:06 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	3976 label Biography information for Chris Williamson

1011237

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
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	John Cao
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the government of China about (1) the conduct of the trial of John Cao, arrested in Yunnan Province, China, on a charge of illegal border crossing, (2) the request from his representatives for his appeal to be heard in a timely manner, and (3) his treatment in detention.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL11598
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>We are concerned by the arrest and detention of John Cao and will raise his case at the next round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. We remain concerned by the restrictions placed on Christianity and other religions in China, that include individuals being harassed or detained for their beliefs. The freedom to practise, change or share ones faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right that all people should enjoy. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and resilient against violent extremism.</p><p>We are robust in raising the full range of our human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. We raised our concerns over restriction of freedom of religion or belief as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review in November 2018, and in our 27 June 2018 statement at the UN Human Rights Council.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:52:48 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1010096

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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	John Cao
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking in response to the arrest by Chinese security agents on 5 March 2017 of John Cao, a Christian pastor and humanitarian worker, and his subsequent imprisonment in China.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL11543
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is concerned by the arrest and detention of John Cao and will raise his case at the next round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. We remain concerned by the restrictions placed on Christianity and other religions in China, that include individuals being harassed or detained for their beliefs. The freedom to practise, change or share ones faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right that all people should enjoy. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and resilient against violent extremism.</p><p>We are robust in raising the full range of our human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. We raised our concerns over restriction of freedom of religion or belief as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review in November 2018, and in our 27 June 2018 statement at the UN Human Rights Council.</p><p>​</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:33:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1010097

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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	John Cao
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the government of China about the case of John Cao, a Christian pastor and humanitarian worker; what evidence they are aware of to support the charges against him; and whether they will ascertain why a charge normally used to convict human traffickers was used in this case.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL11544
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is concerned by the arrest and detention of John Cao and will raise his case at the next round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. We remain concerned by the restrictions placed on Christianity and other religions in China, that include individuals being harassed or detained for their beliefs. The freedom to practise, change or share ones faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right that all people should enjoy. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and resilient against violent extremism.</p><p>We are robust in raising the full range of our human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. We raised our concerns over restriction of freedom of religion or belief as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review in November 2018, and in our 27 June 2018 statement at the UN Human Rights Council.</p><p>​</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:48:07 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1010109

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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: Religious Freedom
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 state of freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL11556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of all minorities, including the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs. Pakistan is one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) human rights priority countries, as set out in the FCO's 2017 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report available at the gov.uk website.</p><p>We regularly raise the issues of freedom of religion and belief and the protection of minority religious communities, with the Pakistan government at a senior level. When the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan in August, she highlighted the importance of Pakistan delivering on its commitments to strengthen institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law, and to advance the rights of minorities. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, in September 2018.</p><p>Under the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy, the British Government has supported projects in Pakistan to promote greater tolerance and religious freedom.</p><p>The UK raised concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief at Pakistan's UN Universal Periodic Review of human rights in November 2017. We pressed Pakistan to strengthen the protection of minorities, including by establishing an independent National Commission for Minorities from all faith communities.</p><p>We continue to urge Pakistan to take the steps necessary to comply in full with its human rights obligations, including engaging with the UN and other international bodies, and to ensure that the rights of minorities are respected.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:51:20 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1010110

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) support religious pluralism, and (2) promote freedom of religion or belief, in Pakistan.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL11557
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of all minorities, including the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs. Pakistan is one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) human rights priority countries, as set out in the FCO 2017 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report available at the gov.uk website.</p><p>We regularly raise the issues of freedom of religion and belief and the protection of minority religious communities, with the Pakistan government at a senior level. When the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan in August, she highlighted the importance of Pakistan delivering on its commitments to strengthen institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law, and to advance the rights of minorities. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, in September 2018.</p><p>Under the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy, the British Government has supported projects in Pakistan to promote greater tolerance and religious freedom.</p><p>The UK raised concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief at Pakistan's UN Universal Periodic Review of human rights in November 2017. We pressed Pakistan to strengthen the protection of minorities, including by establishing an independent National Commission for Minorities from all faith communities.</p><p>We continue to urge Pakistan to take the steps necessary to comply in full with its human rights obligations, including engaging with the UN and other international bodies, and to ensure that the rights of minorities are respected.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:52:23 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1010112

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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	Asia Bibi
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 government of Pakistan (1) to uphold the decision by Pakistan’s Supreme Court to acquit Asia Bibi, and (2) that she be removed from any Exit Control List.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL11559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>​As the Prime Minister stated in Parliament on 14 November, the British Government's primary concern is for the safety and security of Asia Bibi and her family. We want to see a swift resolution of the situation. Prime Minister Imran Khan has made clear publicly his support for the Supreme Court of Pakistan and promised to uphold the rule of law, while providing continued protection for Asia Bibi. Pakistan's Foreign Minister has publicly confirmed that Asia Bibi will remain under the protection of the Pakistan government until the legal review process has concluded.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:53:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1010122

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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	Syria: Conflict Resolution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what the result was of the meeting in Istanbul on 27 October between the Astana Guarantor states and the Syria Small Group; and whether positive proposals towards resolving the conflict in Syria were made then or at the  meeting on 29 October.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11569
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>At their summit on Syria on 27 October the leaders of Germany, France, Turkey and Russia agreed a joint statement. We particularly welcome the commitments in the joint statement to a 'lasting ceasefire' in Idlib and to formation of a Constitutional Committee by the end of 2018. The Small Group meeting last month, affirmed the need for a negotiated political settlement to end the conflict and that the UN-led Geneva process remains the forum to do so.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 14:19:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1010127

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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	Czechia: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are making for UK citizens to be able to get married in the Czech Republic after the UK has left the European Union; and what advice, if any, they provide to those who wish to do so.
tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
uin	HL11574
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>​UK nationals will be able to continue to get married in the Czech Republic after the UK leaves the EU, as arrangements are in place for both EU and non-EU nationals to do so now. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to ensuring that clear and accessible information is available for UK nationals living, working and travelling overseas, including in the EU. UK nationals in the Czech Republic should visit the 'UK nationals in the EU' page and Living in the Czech Republic Guides on gov.uk, and follow the Embassy social media channels for the latest information on the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The FCO provides advice to those considering getting married overseas on the 'Getting Married Abroad' pages on gov.uk.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:48:46 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

1010145

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
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	Gaza: Israel
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to (1) make representations to the government of Israel, and (2) take other steps, to ensure the safety of people in Gaza (a) from incursions by the Israel Defense Forces, and (b) when protesting peacefully at border fences.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL11592
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>​The UK is very concerned at the high numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in the West Bank and Gaza. We have raised the issue with the Israeli authorities, encouraging them to carry out transparent investigations into whether the use of live fire had been appropriate. The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the IDF police protests, including use of live ammunition. We will continue to do so.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2018 13:47:19 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge