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914715

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	Iran: BBC Persian Service
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 his Department has made of the criminal charges issued by the Iranian authorities against BBC Persian staff; and what representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart on that subject.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	148591
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>We are concerned by the charges against BBC Persian staff. I call upon the Government of Iran to cease all such action against BBC staff and their families, and to end harassment of independent journalists, whether affiliated to the BBC or not. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are essential to a free and open society.</p><p>We expressed our concern about Iranian treatment of BBC Persian staff at the UN Human Rights Council on 12 March and both the Foreign Secretary and I have raised the issue, including the criminal charges, with our Iranian counterparts on several occasions. Most recently I raised these issues during my visit to Tehran on 29 April. We will continue to raise the treatment of BBC Persian staff and their families with the Iranian government at all levels.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/06/2018 14:17:06 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

914716

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	Iran: BBC Persian Service
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 personally raise the matter of criminal charges against BBC Persian staff during his next meeting with his Iranian counterpart or at the earliest opportunity.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	148592
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>We are concerned by the charges against BBC Persian staff. I call upon the Government of Iran to cease all such action against BBC staff and their families, and to end harassment of independent journalists, whether affiliated to the BBC or not. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are essential to a free and open society.</p><p>We expressed our concern about Iranian treatment of BBC Persian staff at the UN Human Rights Council on 12 March and both the Foreign Secretary and I have raised the issue, including the criminal charges, with our Iranian counterparts on several occasions. Most recently I raised these issues during my visit to Tehran on 29 April. We will continue to raise the treatment of BBC Persian staff and their families with the Iranian government at all levels.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/06/2018 14:19:54 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

914749

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	Nigeria: 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, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his Department’s policies of the findings of the Amnesty International report on human rights and the Nigerian military, They betrayed us, published in May.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	148698
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>​We are concerned about the allegations raised in the Amnesty International report 'They Betrayed Us.' We routinely make clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of protecting civilians and upholding human rights standards. It is essential that actions taken by the Nigerian Armed Forces and security services are in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian laws. We call on the Nigerian Government to investigate these allegations and, where confirmed, hold those responsible to account.</p><p>The UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram. Since 2015 over 30,000 Nigerian military personnel have received UK training which has helped to weaken significantly Boko Haram. UK military training and assistance emphasises the importance of adherence to internationally-recognised Rules of Engagement as well as International Human Rights and Humanitarian Laws. We will continue to monitor the situation in Nigeria, and regularly assess the risks associated with the delivery of UK military assistance in line with the UK's Overseas Security and Justice Assistance guidance.</p> answering member constituency Uxbridge and South Ruislip answering member printed Boris Johnson question first answered 06/06/2018 16:46:39 answering member 1423 label Biography information for Boris Johnson
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

914751

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	Cameroon: Refugees
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 representations he has made to his Cameroonian counterpart on reports of forced repatriation of Nigerian refugees by the Government of that country.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	148700
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>​The Minister for Africa raised this issue with the Secretary General to the Cameroonian President when he visited London last month. She reinforced that Cameroon must respect its international obligations to protect refugees. Our High Commissions in Abuja and Yaoundé are following this issue closely and continue to stress the importance of protecting the rights of refugees throughout the region, including through the conclusion of the Tripartite Agreement between Cameroon, Nigeria and the UNHCR that will govern the safe return of refugees to Nigeria.</p> answering member constituency Uxbridge and South Ruislip answering member printed Boris Johnson question first answered 06/06/2018 16:52:44 answering member 1423 label Biography information for Boris Johnson
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

914766

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	United Nations: Peacekeeping Operations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of UK ODA spending has been spent on UN peacekeeping in each of the last eight years.
tabling member constituency	Llanelli
tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
uin	148703
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>UK ODA spending as part of our assessed (mandatory) contributions to the UN peacekeeping budget, in each of the last eight years has been: 2010 0.25%; 2011 0.24%; 2012 0.23%; 2013 0.22%; 2014 0.16%; 2015 0.16%; 2016 0.38%; and 2017 data will be published in Autumn 2018 in the &quot;Statistics on International Development: Final UK aid spend 2017&quot; report.</p><p>The UK has also given other voluntary ODA funding to UN peacekeeping on a case by case basis.</p><p> </p><p><strong>UK's ODA Assessed Contributions to UN Peacekeeping Missions as a proportion of total UK ODA 2010-2016</strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Total UK ODA (£m)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total core contributions to UN Peacekeeping Missions (£m)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Proportion of total UK ODA</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>8,529</p></td><td><p>21.4</p></td><td><p>0.25%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>8,629</p></td><td><p>21.0</p></td><td><p>0.24%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>8,802</p></td><td><p>20.3</p></td><td><p>0.23%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>11,407</p></td><td><p>25.6</p></td><td><p>0.22%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>11,700</p></td><td><p>19.1</p></td><td><p>0.16%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>12,138</p></td><td><p>19.1</p></td><td><p>0.16%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>13,377</p></td><td><p>50.9</p></td><td><p>0.38%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>​</p></td><td><p>​</p></td><td><p>​</p></td><td><p>​</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Source: Statistics on International Development 2017</p></td><td><p>​</p></td><td><p>​</p></td><td><p>​</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/06/2018 16:27:12 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

914789

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	Israel: Arms Trade
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 whether any arms licensed for export from the UK to Israel over the last three years have been used by the Israeli authorities in their policing of the Gaza border in recent weeks.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North East
tabling member printed	Mr Paul Sweeney
uin	149035
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>The Government takes its defence exports responsibilities extremely seriously and we have been keeping the situation in Israel under review. We have no information to suggest that UK supplied equipment has been used in contravention of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/06/2018 14:28:37 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4642 label Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney

914790

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	Turkey: Press Freedom
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 the Government is taking to support and protect media workers in Turkey.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North East
tabling member printed	Mr Paul Sweeney
uin	149036
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>We have long encouraged Turkey to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, particularly in the area of freedom of expression. The Prime Minister raised media freedom with President Erdogan during his visit to the UK in May. Our Embassy in Turkey also monitors high profile media trials. We will continue to engage the Turkish government on these issues and to urge respect for freedom of media, which is essential to the long-term health of Turkish democracy.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 06/06/2018 15:47:50 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4642 label Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney

914791

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	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 plans the Government has to respond to the reported surge in the repression of human rights defenders worldwide; and whether the Government plans to commit to a renewed strategy of support and protection.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North East
tabling member printed	Mr Paul Sweeney
uin	149037
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>In light of the increasing level of intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders in many parts of the world, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has worked with several civil society organisations to update its internal guidance on working with human rights defenders. The Foreign Secretary issued this updated guidance to all Embassies and High Commissions in December 2017. The guidance tasks the FCO's network of Embassies and High Commissions to find practical ways to support human rights defenders. The FCO keeps the implementation of the guidance under constant review.</p><p>The FCO supports the work of human rights defenders through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy, most of which is allocated for implementation of projects by human rights defenders and civil society organisations. The FCO also highlights repression of human rights defenders in its Annual Human Rights Report.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/06/2018 16:21:16 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4642 label Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney

914792

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	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 plans he has to maintain the level of funding that is given to the EU to support human rights defenders after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North East
tabling member printed	Mr Paul Sweeney
uin	149038
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2018 answer text <p>Supporting human rights defenders, especially where they face persecution and repression, is (and will remain) a key element in the Government's policy of promoting universal human rights. The Foreign Secretary issued revised guidance on this to British Embassies and High Commissions in December, 2017. How best to pursue this policy after Brexit and with which international partners will depend on future circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/06/2018 16:23:48 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4642 label Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney

914847

registered interest
date	01/06/2018
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	British Indian Ocean Territory: Ilois
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Chagossians have been invited to participate in scientific expeditions to the Chagos Archipelago in 2018 to date.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	148860
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2018 answer text <p>Although we encourage scientific expeditions to include participants of Chagossian heritage, no Chagossians have been invited to participate in scientific expeditions to the British Indian Ocean Territory in 2018 to date.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 14/06/2018 06:42:14 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady