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771200

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	North Korea: Sanctions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their evaluation of the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on North Korea.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>There is an international effort to maximise pressure on the DPRK to change direction from its current unacceptable course. Sanctions play a crucial role in this strategy. UN Security Council Resolution 2270 (March 2016) introduced broader economic sanctions on the DPRK that aim to restrict major sources of revenue used by the DPRK regime to fund its illegal weapons programmes. UNSCRs 2371 (August 2017) and 2375 (September 2017) expanded these sanctions to include sectoral restrictions on the DPRK’s trade in coal, iron, lead, textiles, crude and refined oil, and overseas workers. It has been less than three months since the UN Security Council agreed to the full coal ban, which marked the first sector-wide ban on exports from the DPRK. The first UN Panel of Experts report on implementation of those sanctions will be released in January, with member state implementation reports due on 3 November. Sanctions take time to have effect, but there are early indications of their impact. The Chinese Central Bank has instructed all Chinese banks to comply with UN resolutions, and Chinese businesses were recently given 120 days to divest themselves of joint ventures with DPRK companies. Other countries are also playing their part, for example by restricting visas for DPRK overseas workers or prohibiting all trade with the DPRK. The EU has introduced a raft of measures that go beyond the UN-mandated sanctions, such as an oil ban and reducing the ceiling on hard currency remittances to the DPRK by two-thirds.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/10/2017 17:00:57 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

771201

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Iraq: Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they took, prior to tabling UN Security Council Resolution 2379, to assess the capacity of Iraqi national courts to conduct the recommended prosecutions of Daesh fighters.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2002
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2017 answer text <p>​We are working closely with the Government of Iraq to bring Daesh to justice. The UK continues to work with the High Judicial Council and Counter-Terrorism Investigative Judges to assess the current capability of the Iraqi judiciary, including on human-rights compliance. Most recently the Attorney General met the Chief Justice of Iraq on his visit to the UK in October, where they discussed the importance of holding Daesh to account through the courts. We have identified areas where we can share expertise and will continue to work closely with the Iraqi Judiciary to ensure due process and compliance with international law.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/10/2017 16:57:55 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

771209

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	British Overseas Territories: Diplomatic Service
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which governors of British Overseas Territories have their governors' dress uniforms funded by the FCO.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2010
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2017 answer text <p>​Since 2001 Government policy has been that those Territories wishing to keep their ceremonial uniforms pay for them themselves. Currently the Governors of Bermuda and Falkland Islands retain the uniform, both funded by their respective Territory governments.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/10/2017 15:48:12 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

771213

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Sudan: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes they have identified regarding the protection of human rights in Sudan, in the light of their support for the decision taken by the government of the United States to lift sanctions on Sudan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL2014
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>The UK remains concerned about the human rights situation in Sudan, and Sudan is a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We used the fourth session of the Strategic Dialogue this month to agree steps that the Government of Sudan would take to make further progress on human rights issues. We raised discuss specific issues including sexual and gender based violence, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and the Convention Against Torture. <br> <br>The UK welcomed the decision made by the United States permanently to lift bilateral economic sanctions on Sudan, following its judgement that progress had been made in five key areas. These included humanitarian access to conflict-affected regions, non-interference in South Sudan, and maintaining the Government’s cessations of hostilities in Darfur and the Two Areas.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/10/2017 17:09:07 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

771215

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Sudan: Ceasefires
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the government of Sudan upholds its ceasefire agreements in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL2016
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2017 answer text <p>The UK welcomes the reduction in conflict between government forces and the armed opposition in the Two Areas in recent months, as well as the extension by the government of Sudan of the unilateral cessation of hostilities until 31 December 2017. In the most recent round of the UK-Sudan Strategic Dialogue on 16 October, we urged the Government of Sudan to extend this further.</p><p>We continue to urge both sides to engage constructively with the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) peace process in order to agree upon a permanent ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/10/2017 17:04:54 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

771217

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Burma: Rohingya
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that EU Foreign Ministers, in their forthcoming meeting, respond to the situation affecting the Rohingya people with appropriate action; whether they will advocate reinforcing the arms embargo on the Burmese army, or seek a global arms embargo through the UN Security Council; and what other measures are being considered.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL2018
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 16 October, securing agreement by member states to the suspension of all Burmese military visits to the EU and a review of all defence cooperation, and to consider additional measures if the situation in Rakhine does not improve. This followed the UK's lead in suspending co-operation with the Burmese military announced by the Prime Minister in September</p><p>The EU retains its arms embargo for Burma, prohibiting the export of arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression. The UK is a vocal supporter of the ongoing retention of the EU arms embargo. Our assessment is that there is insufficient support amongst UN Security Council members for a global arms embargo on Burma.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/10/2017 16:58:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

771218

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Burma: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that the Burmese army ceases its attacks on civilians in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan states to allow unhindered access for international humanitarian aid agencies, human rights monitors and media to all affected areas in those states, and to implement the recommendations of the Rakhine Commission report, chaired by Kofi Annan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL2019
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>We continue to work with international partners to resolve this crisis. We have raised the situation in Rakhine three times at the UN Security Council, which has called for the Burmese authorities to stop the violence and allow humanitarian access. We are considering with other Council members what further steps are needed.</p><p>The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific reiterated these calls with civilian and military leaders when he visited Burma from 25-27 September. Given the scale of the humanitarian assistance required, we continue to urge the Burmese authorities and the military in particular to allow greater access urgently.</p><p>The British Government remains concerned over continued human rights abuses in Burma's ethnic border areas, where hostilities are still taking place. We have repeatedly called on the military to end hostilities comprehensively, and on all sides to enter into dialogue towards a sustainable and comprehensive nationwide ceasefire and political reconciliation process. The UK sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution in March 2017 which established a Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) to look into allegations of human right violations in Burma, and supported the Human Rights Council's decision in September 2017 to extend the FFM's mandate to cover the recent outbreak of violence in Rakhine.</p><p>The UK supports the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission led by Kofi Annan. We welcome the Burmese government's establishment of the Ministerial Implementation Committee for the Rakhine Advisory Commission and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's announcement on 12 October of the establishment of a civilian force to deliver humanitarian assistance, resettlement of refugees, and long-term development in Rakhine. We are watching closely to ensure her positive words translate into swift action, and stand ready to ensure she gets the international political and technical support needed.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/10/2017 17:03:25 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

771226

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Burma: Rohingya
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to deploy the UK team of experts on preventing sexual violence in conflict to Bangladesh to document evidence of alleged rape and sexual violence against the Rohingya people.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL2027
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2017 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development (DFID) officials are urgently assessing the UN-led Sexual and Gender-Based Violence response in Bangladesh, including the level of identification and outreach and clinical management and what additional support the UK may usefully provide.</p><p>DFID has funded the deployment of an international expert to UNFPA in Cox's Bazar to lead the Gender-Based Violence Sub-Sector, part of the UNHCR-led Protection Sector of the international humanitarian response. We are currently ​in dialogue with the Coordinator to better understand the level of incidence, response and coordination and associated challenges. We will then assess whether deploying additional UK expertise is required to reinforce UN-led efforts, including documentation, already underway in country.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/10/2017 17:03:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic

771227

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Burma: Rohingya
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 UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to deploy the UN Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict to Bangladesh to support Rohingya survivors of alleged rape and sexual violence.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL2028
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2017 answer text <p>This desperate situation in Rakhine State requires urgent action and was central to the meeting I recently had with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative. Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development colleagues are urgently assessing with the UN the level of immediate support being given to survivors of sexual violence who have come forward in Cox's Bazar and what additional medical and psycho-social support the UK can provide. We are also working with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative and humanitarian organisations to determine what capacity exists on the ground for evidence gathering and how the UK can support this work, including the possible deployment of experts from the UK.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/10/2017 17:07:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic

771228

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
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	Burma: Rohingya
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to (1) Aung San Suu Kyi, and (2) the government of Burma, regarding recent reports of rape and other sexual violence committed by the Burmese armed forces against the Rohingya people.
tabling member printed	Baroness Helic
uin	HL2029
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2017 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly been clear about the need for the Burmese authorities to end the violence in Rakhine. This includes sexual violence. He has made these calls in telephone conversations with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on 7 and 17 September, and 21 October; and to the Burmese National Security Advisor and Deputy Foreign Minister at a meeting of foreign ministers he convened at the UN on 18 September.</p><p>The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific met Burma's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 20 September at the UN and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma on 27 September, and reiterated the same messages. Our Ambassador and Embassy official in Rangoon have regularly raised concerns with Burmese Ministers, most recently on 24 October.</p><p>I made a statement at the Human Rights Council on 11 September which made clear the UK strongly condemned the violence in Rakhine, and called on all parties to de-escalate tensions and address the humanitarian crisis.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 01/11/2017 15:52:49 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4331 label Biography information for Baroness Helic