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173398

registered interest
date	13/01/2015
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	Turkey
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage the consolidation of developments in religious freedom in Turkey.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	220606
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2015 answer text <p>We regularly raise the issue of religious freedom in bilateral discussions with the Turkish government. In early January 2015, Her Majesty´s Ambassador to Turkey met with the Head of the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey) to discuss religious freedom. In 2014, we organised a round table with religious groups in Istanbul with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Our embassy in Ankara has regular meetings with religious groups and civil society to discuss strengthening freedom of religion in Turkey. The 2014 European Commission Annual Progress report on Turkey noted the need for comprehensive reform of legislation on freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and application of this legislation, in line with European Court of Human Rights rulings, Council of Europe recommendations and EU standards. We support this assessment and will continue to work closely with Turkey, EU Member States, and with the European institutions, to encourage further reforms, including on religious freedom, that will continue to underpin Turkey’s accession process.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 19/01/2015 16:46:49 question first ministerially corrected 19/01/2015 16:56:26 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington previous answer version 39095 answering member constituency Monmouth answering member printed David T. C. Davies answering member 1545
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

173400

registered interest
date	13/01/2015
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	Kashmir
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage an end to clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops in Kashmir.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	220570
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 27 November 2014 (<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&amp;max=20&amp;questiontype=AllQuestions&amp;house=commons%2clords&amp;uin=215726" target="_blank">PQ 215726</a>).</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 20/01/2015 14:54:36 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

173401

registered interest
date	13/01/2015
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions the Government has had with the South Korean authorities about (a) North Korean progress towards viable nuclear weapons and (b) protecting UK companies from North Korean hacking.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	220567
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are close partners and regularly discuss matters relating to the Korean Peninsula, as well as broader international security concerns. The most recent Ministerial discussions were on 3 December 2014, when the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), held strategic talks with the ROK Foreign Minister, Yun Byung-se. These talks covered a range of issues including international security. The Foreign Secretary made clear during these discussions our concern that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Separately, the ROK is one of a range of international partners with which we have engaged to help protect the UK and British businesses from cyber attacks. The Government is also working closely with industry to address the threat and impact of cyber attacks, as part of the UK Cyber Security Strategy.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 20/01/2015 14:47:35 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

173406

registered interest
date	13/01/2015
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	Egypt
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage better protection of religious minorities in Egypt.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	220608
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>We deplore all discrimination against religious minorities and constraints on their freedom to practise their faith. Foreign Office Ministers have been clear with Egyptian interlocutors throughout recent events in Egypt that the freedom of religious belief needs to be protected and that the ability to worship in peace is a vital component of a democratic society. UK officials raised the importance of freedom of religion with Egyptian Deputy Assistant Minister for Human Rights, Dr Mahy Abdel Latif on 14 January 2015.</p><p>The UK Government welcomed the comments made by President al-Sisi at Al-Azhar University on 1 January and at the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo on 6 January on his commitment to religious tolerance. We also welcome the protection for religious belief enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. We urge to Egyptian Government to ensure that those rights are implemented.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 20/01/2015 15:16:50 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

171139

registered interest
date	17/12/2014
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	Dalai Lama
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Dalai Lama; what topics were discussed in such meetings; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	219132
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>The Dalai Lama is recognised worldwide as a respected religious figure, and it was in this capacity that the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the Deputy Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr Clegg) met him in St Paul’s Cathedral in May 2012. Her Majesty’s Government has had no discussions with the Dalai Lama since this date. <br><br>Our position on Tibet is clear and unchanged from that of the previous Government: we regard Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China. We do not support Tibetan independence.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/01/2015 15:47:22 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167747

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
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	Indonesia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of protests against the election of a Christian as Governor of Jakarta; and what steps he is taking to promote freedoms of religion and speech in Indonesia.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	217115
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p>Following the inauguration of Basuki (Ahok) Tjahaja Purnama, as Governor of Jakarta in November, there were some small-scale protests. However, there was also a significant counter movement on social media and public demonstrations of support from a campaign called ‘Muslims in support of Ahok’. Governor Purnama is the first Chinese-Indonesian and second Christian to become Governor of Jakarta, and it is testament to Indonesia’s traditions of religious tolerance and respect for diversity that the great majority are supportive of him taking up the position of governor.</p><p>Our Ambassador designate met the Indonesian Minister for Law, Justice &amp; Human Rights on 18 November and raised the rights of religious minorities and freedom of expression. We also maintain a regular dialogue with religious leaders, civil society and government officials on freedom of religion or belief. The third EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue was held on 12 November and in response to concerns we raised the new Indonesian government underlined the importance they attach to tackling discrimination against religious minorities.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 09/12/2014 17:11:52 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167751

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
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	Vietnam
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the authorities in Vietnam about human rights and the protection of minorities.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	216971
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p>I most recently raised our human rights concerns, specifically freedom of expression, in November when I met the new Vietnamese Ambassador to London. I also raise human rights with the Vietnamese in our formal, annual Strategic Dialogue, the next of which is planned for early 2015.</p><p>British Embassy officials have regular working level discussions with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Justice on both domestic and international human rights issues. Most recently, on 3 December, our Ambassador to Vietnam raised the importance of maintaining a constructive and regular dialogue on human rights in a meeting with Pham Binh Minh, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 09/12/2014 17:02:50 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167752

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
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	Lebanon
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he had made of the effect in Lebanon of the continued fighting in Syria and the influx of refugees.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	216972
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p>The ongoing crisis in Syria is having a major impact on Lebanon. We are concerned about recent fighting around the Lebanon-Syria border and attacks by ISIL and Al Nusra Front on the Lebanese Army and Lebanese towns in the border area. There are currently around 1.2 million refugees in Lebanon, creating pressure on services which in turn has led to tensions with some host communities. We are committed to supporting Lebanon’s stability. By the end of this year, the UK will have provided £150 million since the start of the Syrian crisis to support refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon. We have also provided £20 million to support the Lebanese Armed Forces Land Border Regiments as they protect Lebanon from spillover violence in Syria.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 09/12/2014 14:05:42 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167753

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
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	Burma
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 the government of Burma on tackling sexual violence in that country.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	216969
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p>I raised this issue directly with the Commander in Chief of the Burmese military and the Northern Commander during my most recent visit to Burma in January. In October, the Minister of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest West (Mr Swayne), also raised the issue with Burma’s Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.</p><p><br>Burma has endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. This is a positive step. The Burmese authorities now need to demonstrate that they are committed to honouring the commitments contained in the Declaration, including reforming military doctrine and ending the culture of impunity for acts of conflict-related sexual violence. We will continue to press the Burmese military and government to hold perpetrators to account.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 09/12/2014 16:57:38 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

167754

registered interest
date	03/12/2014
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	Bangladesh
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage the cessation of restrictions on freedom of religion and speech in Bangladesh.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	216978
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p>During the meeting between the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Bangladesh Prime Minister in July, both agreed on the importance of an open society and political system in which democratic political participation and media freedoms are respected.</p><p><br>Where we have concerns over restrictions on freedom of religion and speech, we will continue to raise these with the government of Bangladesh.</p><p><br>Freedom of expression, including on the internet as well as more traditional media, is fundamental to building democracy. We believe that people must be allowed to freely discuss and debate issues, challenge their governments and make informed decisions in accordance with domestic and international human rights law. Encouraging free press helps to improve long-term social, political and economic stability.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 09/12/2014 17:05:58 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn