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1200999

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
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	China and Hong Kong: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government how they are using their Defend Media Freedom campaign to raise and address the curtailing of media freedom and attacks on journalists in China and Hong Kong; and what plans they have to introduce Magnitsky-like sanctions against those responsible for abuse of journalists in China and Hong Kong.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL5342
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>Media freedom is vital to open societies and journalists must be able to investigate and report without undue interference. We must oppose attempts by any state to restrict press freedom, silence debate, abuse journalists, or spread misinformation. We are monitoring individual cases of concern around the world, and we are working with international partners on how best to support media freedom, including raising our concerns where appropriate.</p><p>The UK has publicly raised the issue of media freedom in China, including priority cases such as the sentencing of citizen journalist and rights activist Huang Qi in 2019. British diplomats have attempted to attend trials of civilian journalists and rights activists in China to show support.</p><p>In Hong Kong, media freedom is guaranteed under the Joint Declaration and Basic Law. In our six-monthly reports to Parliament on Hong Kong, we have regularly highlighted the importance of freedom of the press and set out our views on specific incidents of concern. We did so in the most recent report on 11 June. We will continue to raise the need to uphold Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, as the Foreign Secretary did with State Councillor and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 8 June.</p><p>We have announced our intention to establish a UK autonomous Global Human Rights ('Magnitsky-style') sanctions regime. The regulations will come into force in the coming months. It is not appropriate to confirm who might be designated under the sanctions regime before the designations are in place. To do this could reduce the impact of the designations.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 18/06/2020 12:46:22 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1200787

registered interest
date	05/06/2020
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	Bahrain: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2020 to Question HL3434, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policy on the veracity of statements on covid-19 in Bahrain prisons from the Bahraini National Institute for Human Rights of the 9 April 2020 Reuters article which found that prisoners in that country were subject to overcrowding, poor sanitation and lack of medical care.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
tabling member printed	David Linden
uin	55115
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government of Bahrain has been clear in public statements that access to appropriate medical care for those in detention is guaranteed by the Constitution of Bahrain. Bahrain has stated publicly that under normal circumstances, any prisoner wishing to see a doctor is taken to the prison clinic, with referral to specialist facilities where required, but as part of the COVID-19 precautions, all medical consultations now take place via a video call, ensuring the safety of the patient and the medical staff. We welcome these assurances from the Government of Bahrain and urge continued transparency.</p><p>We encourage those with concerns about treatment in detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini human rights oversight body. We continue to encourage the oversight bodies in Bahrain to carry out thorough and swift investigations into any such claims.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 09/06/2020 15:37:27 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1200808

registered interest
date	05/06/2020
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: 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 the implications for regional security in Iran of the expiration of the UN conventional arms embargo on Iran in October 2020.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	55143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK remains committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), a reciprocal deal that lifts sanctions in exchange for tough nuclear limits. Iran has broken the nuclear limits in the JCPoA and we are working to bring Iran back into compliance through the deal's Dispute Resolution Mechanism.</p><p>UNSCR 2231, which underpins the JCPoA, includes a number of clauses designed to allow sanctions to expire on fixed dates: the UN conventional arms embargo is due to expire in October 2020. The EU arms embargo and UN ballistic missile restrictions will remain in place until 2023. We are consulting partners on the broader implications of the UN arms embargo expiry for Iran as well as the region, and encourage all states to implement national export control best practice.</p><p>We have repeatedly set out concerns about Iranian destabilising behaviour, including proliferation to non-state actors. UNSCRs 1540, 2216 and 1701, which prohibit the proliferation of weapons to the Houthis and Lebanese Hizballah, will remain in place after the arms embargo expires.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 12/06/2020 13:18:27 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1200809

registered interest
date	05/06/2020
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: Palestinians
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 he has had with his international counterparts on the Middle East peace process.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	55144
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>We continue to work closely with international partners strongly advocating a two state solution and encouraging a return to meaningful negotiations between both parties. I have continued to encourage the Palestinians to offer their own detailed proposals for a settlement, and to find a means of restarting discussions with the US. I did so with Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh on 3 May and in a virtual meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee with Israel, the Palestinians, and the international community on 2 June. As well as, most recently, on 4 June when I met with Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki during my virtual visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Foreign Secretary discussed the Middle East peace process and our opposition to the unilateral annexation of territory during calls with Alternate Israeli Prime Minister Gantz on 20 May, Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry on 21 May, Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi on 28 May and Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi on 2 June.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 15/06/2020 15:28:12 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1200810

registered interest
date	05/06/2020
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: Hamas
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 has made of the effect of Hamas’s rule in Gaza on regional stability.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	55145
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK remains concerned about the situation in Gaza and any actions by Hamas which increase instability. We utterly condemn rocket fire by Hamas and other militants in Gaza; Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live in safety and peace. We encourage the Palestinian Authority, Israel, regional and international actors to put forward long-term sustainable proposals, to resolve the threat posed to Israel's security by Hamas, and see the Palestinian Authority's return to government functions in Gaza. This will help to improve the dire humanitarian and economic situation in the region.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 12/06/2020 13:17:25 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1200457

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
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	Israeli Settlements
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government plans to provide to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the event that the Government of Israel attempts to annex parts of those territories.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	54922
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK remains committed to excellent relationships with the Palestinians and our partnership with the Palestinians is improving healthcare, education and security. As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May, we are concerned by reports that the new Israeli Government coalition has reached an agreement which may pave the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law. The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution. We will continue to press Israel and the Palestinians strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions which make peace more difficult.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 09/06/2020 15:26:09 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1200473

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
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	China: Prisoners
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 counterpart in the Chinese Government on the findings of the investigation into organ harvesting carried out by the China Tribunal chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice.
tabling member constituency	East Antrim
tabling member printed	Sammy Wilson
uin	54880
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>We have noted the findings of the recent China Tribunal report. The testimonies added to the growing body of evidence about the disturbing situation that Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs and other minorities are facing in China. The Government's position remains that, if true, the practice of systematic, state-sponsored organ harvesting would constitute a serious violation of human rights.</p><p>We regularly raise our human rights concerns with China, including on the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities. The Foreign Secretary did so most recently on 9 March with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 11/06/2020 16:31:23 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	1593 label Biography information for Sammy Wilson

1200479

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
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	Libya: 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 assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate violations of international (a) humanitarian law and (b) human rights law committed by all armed actors in Libya.
tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
tabling member printed	Margaret Ferrier
uin	54927
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>Ensuring justice and reconciliation will be a vital part of securing a lasting peace in Libya. It is imperative that those who have committed and are still committing violations and abuses, including unlawful killings, do not evade justice for their crimes. The UK has strongly supported resolutions at the United Nations Human Rights Council aimed at increasing accountability, and fully supports the International Criminal Court's efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the most serious crimes in Libya. Where justice through prosecutions is proving elusive or limited, the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council can promote greater accountability and deter further violations and abuses.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 11/06/2020 14:47:29 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4386 label Biography information for Margaret Ferrier

1200480

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
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: Detainees
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 has made of the (a) adequacy of conditions in detention facilities and (b) appropriateness of the use of extended pre-trial detention periods in Egypt.
tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
tabling member printed	Margaret Ferrier
uin	54928
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2020 answer text <p>Egypt is a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Priority Country and the UK continues to urge the Egyptian Government to ensure the full implementation of the rights and freedoms set out in Egypt's constitution. We have concerns about mass detentions and sentencing, prison conditions, access to justice, and restrictions on freedom of expression and the media. We regularly raise these and other issues with the Egyptian Government, both in public and in private, and including at Ministerial level.</p><p>During Egypt's Universal Periodic Review in the United Nations Human Rights Council in November 2019, we called upon the Egyptian Government to ensure access to medical care and family visits in prisons, and to release all those detained for exercising the right to freedom of expression. We also raised the issue of extended pre-trial detention in our questions ahead of the Universal Periodic Review. On prison conditions, the Egyptian Government has undertaken to follow up our Universal Periodic Review recommendation.</p><p>In addition to these issues, we regularly raise specific cases with the Egyptian authorities, including that of Mohamed el-Baqer, on 17 February. The Foreign Secretary also raised human rights issues with his Egyptian counterpart at this year's UK-Africa Investment Summit.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 54122 54123 question first answered 10/06/2020 15:58:30 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4386 label Biography information for Margaret Ferrier

1200489

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
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	Zimbabwe: Abduction
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 his counterpart in Zimbabwe on a Government of Zimbabwe investigation into the recent abduction and torture of opposition Member of Parliament Joana Mamombe and fellow MDC-Alliance members Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
tabling member constituency	Wigan
tabling member printed	Lisa Nandy
uin	54909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK is seriously concerned about the challenging human rights situation in Zimbabwe. It remains one of the UK's 30 Human Rights Priority Countries globally. I spoke to the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister on 8 June and expressed my deep concern regarding recent reports of the abduction and torture of three female opposition activists, including a Member of Parliament. I urged the Foreign Minister to ensure the Government of Zimbabwe makes concrete progress on human rights, including investigations into violations.</p><p>It is vital that the Zimbabwean authorities adhere to their international human rights obligations and respect their Constitution, which prohibits enforced disappearances and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The UK will continue to monitor developments in Zimbabwe closely and call for the Government of Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law and respect human rights.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 09/06/2020 14:53:08 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4082 label Biography information for Lisa Nandy