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1144877

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
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	Sudan and Syria: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 31 July (HL17137), what considerations led them to adopt the positions that “the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy” and that they “have no intention of encouraging the Global Coalition to cooperate with its security forces”; whether they have applied similar considerations in developing their position on Sudan; and, if so, how those considerations were applied to their decision to engage in strategic dialogue with the regime there.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL17711
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The basis for reaching the conclusion that the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy is the clear evidence of the atrocities the regime has committed against the Syrian people, as documented by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and other independent bodies. These atrocities include, but are not limited to, the repeated use of chemical weapons; repeated violations of international humanitarian law including attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals; and systematic use of torture, including sexual violence, and summary execution against those suspected of opposition to the regime. As the regime's security forces have played a major role in directing and committing these atrocities, we have no intention of encouraging the Global Coalition to cooperate with them.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial">The UK policy towards Sudan has been one of clear and public condemnation of human rights abuses, alongside a very limited process of engagement to explain to the Sudanese Government what needed to change in order that Sudan could progress and their relations with the international community could improve. As the protest movement gathered pace in 2018 and 2019, we publicly supported the calls of those protestors and pressured the government to heed those demands. Our approach has been described by many in the protest movement, and those now in government, as well judged and critical.<ins class="ministerial"> </ins></ins></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Our engagement with Sudan's former regime sought to maintain pressure on the then Sudanese authorities to make democratic reforms. The Strategic Dialogues also enabled us to have frank and constructive exchanges on pressing issues such as increasing protections for human rights and macroeconomic reform; the resolution of conflict and matters related to UN peacekeeping; and, to address shared threats including terrorism, modern slavery and illegal migration. We repeatedly raised our deep concern, both publicly and directly on a range of issues, including the response to the protest movement. The UK, alongside Troika partners (US and Norway) and Canada, made clear in a statement of 8 January that the (then) Government of Sudan's actions and decisions towards protestors would impact our approach to future engagement.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial">Following the overthrow of Omar al Bashir, an agreement was reached between the Transitional Military Council and Forces of Freedom and Change who represented the protestors. The UK welcomes the appointment of a civilian led government and Prime Minister Hamdok's agenda of freedom, peace and justice for all in Sudan. We are engaging with him and the newly formed government on how best we can practically support these ambitions towards Sudan's democratic transition. In addition to supporting the reforms and changes that the people of Sudan deserve, we will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need across Sudan.</ins></ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:24:04 question first ministerially corrected 07/10/2019 11:21:27 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133944 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1144878

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
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	Syria: Sanctions
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 (1) impact of the EU's sanctions on Syria since their imposition in 2012 on (a) the behaviour of the government of Syria, and (b) the economic wellbeing of the population of Syria, (2) the likely impact of those sanctions in the near future, and (3) the effectiveness of measures seeking to deprive Syria of access to oil.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL17712
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">These sanctions are aimed at ending the violent repression of the civilian population in Syria by the Assad regime, and achieving a negotiated political settlement to bring about a peaceful end to the conflict in Syria. We will continue to use sanctions, along with other levers, to support that goal. We have sought to minimise the impact of sanctions on ordinary Syrians. The sanctions regime prohibits giving economic resources (which may include oil) to any designated person. Baniyas Refinery Company in Syria, has been designated by the EU since 2014, for providing financial support for the regime. We keep these sanctions under regular review.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:33:26 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:45:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133946 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1144879

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
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	Sudan and Syria: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 31 July (HL17137), what was the basis for reaching their conclusions that (1) the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy, and (2) they will not encourage the Global Coalition to cooperate with the Assad regime's security forces; whether they have applied similar considerations in developing their position on Sudan; and if so, how those considerations were applied in their decision to engage in strategic dialogue with the regime in Sudan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL17713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The basis for reaching the conclusion that the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy is the clear evidence of the atrocities the regime has committed against the Syrian people, as documented by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and other independent bodies. These atrocities include, but are not limited to, the repeated use of chemical weapons; repeated violations of international humanitarian law including attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals; and systematic use of torture, including sexual violence, and summary execution against those suspected of opposition to the regime. As the regime's security forces have played a major role in directing and committing these atrocities, we have no intention of encouraging the Global Coalition to cooperate with them.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The UK policy towards Sudan has been one of clear and public condemnation of human rights abuses, alongside a very limited process of engagement to explain to the Sudanese Government what needed to change in order that Sudan could progress and their relations with the international community could improve. As the protest movement gathered pace in 2018 and 2019, we publicly supported the calls of those protestors and pressured the government to heed those demands. Our approach has been described by many in the protest movement, and those now in government, as well judged and critical.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Our engagement with Sudan's former regime sought to maintain pressure on the then Sudanese authorities to make democratic reforms. The Strategic Dialogues also enabled us to have frank and constructive exchanges on pressing issues such as increasing protections for human rights and macroeconomic reform; the resolution of conflict and matters related to UN peacekeeping; and, to address shared threats including terrorism, modern slavery and illegal migration. We repeatedly raised our deep concern, both publicly and directly on a range of issues, including the response to the protest movement. The UK, alongside Troika partners (US and Norway) and Canada, made clear in a statement of 8 January that the (then) Government of Sudan's actions and decisions towards protestors would impact our approach to future engagement.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Following the overthrow of Omar al Bashir, an agreement was reached between the Transitional Military Council and Forces of Freedom and Change who represented the protestors. The UK welcomes the appointment of a civilian led government and Prime Minister Hamdok's agenda of freedom, peace and justice for all in Sudan. We are engaging with him and the newly formed government on how best we can practically support these ambitions towards Sudan's democratic transition. In addition to supporting the reforms and changes that the people of Sudan deserve, we will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need across Sudan.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:33:22 question first ministerially corrected 07/10/2019 11:21:57 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133947 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1144899

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
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	Nassim Abu Roumi
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has decided to withhold the body of Nassim Abu Roumi from East Jerusalem to exchange it for the body of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza; and whether they intend to take any action in response to those reports.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL17733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Whilst we have not made an assessment on this specific issue, we urge all sides to treat the dead with respect and to return any bodies they are holding.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:27:52 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:45:05 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133949 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1144900

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
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	Jerusalem: Palestinians
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they will make to the government of Israel regarding the breaking up of a Palestinian soccer team in East Jerusalem on the grounds that the location is under Israeli sovereignty.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL17734
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The UK’s position is clear. In line with Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) and subsequent Council resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as under Israeli military occupation. We do not recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, including East Jerusalem.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:24:52 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:44:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133950 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1144901

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
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	Jerusalem: Demolition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they will make to the government of Israel regarding the recent break up by Israeli forces of a Palestinian Bar Association conference on Israel's home demolition policy in East Jerusalem.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL17735
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Whilst we have not raised this specific issue, we regularly make clear our serious concerns about the situation in East Jerusalem to the Israeli authorities, both bilaterally and in co-operation with EU partners. We are strongly opposed to any attempts to change the facts on the ground in the East Jerusalem. These concerns include the evictions of Palestinians and demolition of Palestinian property; the construction of illegal Israeli settlements; removal of residency rights from Palestinians; possible unilateral changes to the municipal borders; and severe difficulties of access to Jerusalem for Palestinians from the West Bank or even for those residents of Jerusalem who live beyond the Separation Barrier.</ins></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:25:05 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:44:28 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133952 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1144071

registered interest
date	03/09/2019
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	Eritrea: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Eritrea about (1) ending indefinite conscription, and (2) parliamentarians who have been detained since 2001; and what additional aid, if any, was allocated to Eritrea as a result of international sanctions being lifted.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL17559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We continue to be concerned by reports that indefinite conscription is ongoing in Eritrea. We raise human rights in Eritrea regularly, both directly with the Government, as the former Minister for Africa did with the Eritrean President's senior adviser when she saw him in July, and when our Ambassador in Asmara saw the same advisor in August. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial">In a statement at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council on 12 July the UK welcomed the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, which we co-sponsored. The UK also urged Eritrea to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and to reform national service, implement the constitution, respect freedom of religion or belief, and release all those in arbitrary detention – including, but not exclusive to detained parliamentarians; journalists; and those observing banned religions. </ins></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial">No additional aid has been allocated as a result of sanctions being lifted. The Department for International Development (DfID) has funded life-saving activity in Eritrea for several years, including providing £3.24m to UNICEF in 2018-19 to help treat malnutrition in under-fives and provide access to safe hygiene and sanitation services. DFID has extended this funding to UNICEF Eritrea until March 2021.</ins></ins></ins></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:29:22 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:53:35 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133916 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1144072

registered interest
date	03/09/2019
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	Hong Kong: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to secure the support of Commonwealth countries to provide Hong Kong citizens with a second citizenship and potential place of abode should China resile on its commitment to one country, two systems.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL17560
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We maintain that the best solution for all the people of Hong Kong, including the British national (overseas) passport holders that live there, is full respect for the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework which is set out in the Joint Declaration.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Joint Declaration remains fully valid. It is a legally binding international treaty registered with the UN. Its objectives clearly apply to both signatories – The People's Republic of China and the UK. It remains in force, and remains acutely relevant to the conduct of life in Hong Kong. We expect China to abide by its obligations and to uphold the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Whilst we will continue to raise the situation in Hong Kong with a wide range of international partners, it is for individual countries to decide their own policy on citizenship issues.</ins></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:29:06 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:52:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133917 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1144073

registered interest
date	03/09/2019
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	Hong Kong: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to (1) raising concerns about the erosion of democracy and human rights, and (2) encouraging Commonwealth countries to provide Hong Kong citizens with a second citizenship and potential place of abode should China resile on its commitment to one country, two systems, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL17561
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The British Government has raised its concerns about the situation in Hong Kong with the Government of China and the Hong Kong SAR government, as we well as with a wide range of international partners, and will continue to do so, including at upcoming international gatherings and summits.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:29:13 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:52:10 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133918 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1144074

registered interest
date	03/09/2019
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	Iraq: Yazidis
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received the information sent to them by Lord Alton of Liverpool concerning allegations made by the Clarion Project, that young Yazidi girls kidnapped and enslaved by ISIS in Iraq, and now held in Iran, have been put up for sale; and what action they are taking to (1) highlight that issue, and (2) seek the rescue of these girls.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL17562
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We have received the letter that you sent regarding the allegations made by Clarion Project, and will be responding shortly. We remain deeply concerned by the situation faced by Yazidi women who were abducted and enslaved by Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The UN calculates that up to 3,000 Yazidi women are still missing, mostly in Iraq. The UK continues to support efforts to reunite families with their loved ones. I discussed the need for justice and support for Yazidi women and other victims of Daesh's crimes with Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mohamed Al-Hakim, on 25 June.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:28:15 question first ministerially corrected 07/10/2019 11:19:51 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133922 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool