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1196084

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	Caribbean: Coronavirus
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 people are registered with his Department as awaiting repatriation from the West Indies as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	47178
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>The welfare of British nationals remains our top priority, and we remain committed to ensuring that British travellers around the globe are able to return home. The UK Government is working closely with airlines, local authorities and governments in the Caribbean region to help British travellers return to the UK as part of the plan announced by the Foreign Secretary on 30 March - with up to £75 million available for special charter flights from priority countries, focused on helping the most vulnerable travellers. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff have worked round the clock to bring back more than 300 people from Jamaica and Guyana on charter flights on 8 May. We have supported over 11,000 people to return home from the Caribbean via commercial means, and Post's priority remains to continue providing advice and assistance to British nationals in-country.</p><p>We are aware that there are British travellers remaining overseas in the Caribbean region and our effort is focused on supporting their return as quickly and safely as possible. British travellers wishing to return to the UK have been actively encouraged to register with their nearest High Commission or Embassy as well as to check travel advice for updates regularly. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. It is difficult to be precise about the numbers because there have been instances of multiple registrations by the same individual, people not reporting their return to the UK via other means, and British Nationals resident overseas registering for flights even though many were not eligible.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 20/05/2020 13:47:01 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1196134

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus
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 with overseas Governments to (a) protect and (b) facilitate the return to the UK of UK seafarers who are having to work indefinitely onboard ships overseas.
tabling member constituency	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
tabling member printed	Stuart C McDonald
uin	47327
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>We recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships around the world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship operators - to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew.  The Government is in direct contact with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families, and we will continue to do what we can to ensure UK crew can access flights home.  The Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally on our obligations to seafarers welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.</p><p>Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of vessels.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/05/2020 15:11:26 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4393 label Biography information for Stuart C McDonald

1196144

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	Mexico: Religious 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 recent assessment he has made of the level of freedom of religion or belief in Mexico.
tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	47313
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2020 answer text <p>While civil society organisations continue to report cases of Freedom of Religion or Belief violations in Mexico, assessment by the Mexican Government, the local UN Human Rights office, and local civil society organisations is that while there are cases of individuals being targeted because of their religion or beliefs, people are more often targeted for their work and activities in defence of human rights or because of religious intolerance between faiths. At the UN Universal Periodic Review session in November 2018, the UK made recommendations regarding accountability for human rights violations, and addressing impunity for violence against human rights defenders.</p><p>The UK Government continues to engage regularly with Mexican authorities at ministerial, official, and state levels to discuss human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and to support a broad human rights agenda in Mexico. Most recently, I discussed human rights with the Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister when he visited London on 9 March.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 26/05/2020 14:09:55 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1196145

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on releasing prisoners of conscience (a) Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, (b) Pastor Matthias Haghnejad and (c) Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee as a result of the threat of covid-19 to detainees in overcrowded prisons.
tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	47314
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>We have regularly expressed our concerns to the Government of Iran at the ongoing incarceration of prisoners of conscience, including the sentencing of Christians for practicing their faith. The reality is that many non-Muslims in Iran face discrimination. We will continue to take action, both bilaterally and with the international community, to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 22/05/2020 09:23:45 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1196146

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	Mexico: Protestantism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Mexican Government on the reported removal of some Mexican protestants’ access to water, electricity and other basic services.
tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	47315
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports of removal of some Mexican Protestants' access to water, electricity and other basic services in Mexico. The assessment by the Mexican Government, the local UN Human Rights office, and local civil society organisations is that while there are cases of individuals being targeted because of their religion or beliefs, people are more often targeted for their work and activities in defence of human rights or because of religious intolerance between faiths. We will continue to raise our concerns when we become aware of such cases.</p><p>As I referenced in my response to PQ 47313, the UK Government continues to engage regularly with Mexican authorities at ministerial, official, and state levels to discuss human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and to support a broad human rights agenda in Mexico. Most recently, I discussed human rights with the Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister when he visited London on 9 March. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Mexico in August 2019, he raised human rights with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who expressed his support for working with the UK both bilaterally and multilaterally to protect human rights. Additionally, Baroness Williams raised FoRB with the Mexican Interior Minister in September 2019.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 26/05/2020 14:11:26 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1196148

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Chinese Government on releasing Tibetan prisoners of conscience Wangdu, Geshe Orgyen, Khenpo Pagah, Sonam Lhatso, Lobsang Gendun, Yeshe Choedron, Thardhod Gyaltsen and Jamyang Lodru in light of the threat of covid-19 to detainees in overcrowded prisons.
tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	47316
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>The risk of the spread of COVID-19 in places of detention is a matter of concern around the world. We will continue to engage closely with the Chinese authorities on the COVID-19 crisis.</p><p>We pay close attention to the human rights situation in Tibet, and raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/05/2020 15:04:25 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1196150

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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: Uyghurs
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 selection of China for the United Nations Human Rights Council Consultative Group in light of China’s ongoing detention of up to a million Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	47317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>The five members of the UN Human Rights Council Consultative Group are selected by their respective regional groupings. The Chinese official was selected by the Asia Pacific Group; as such the selection is a matter for that regional group.</p><p>We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, and regularly raise these concerns with the Chinese authorities and at the UN Human Rights Council. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue with State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 9 March.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/05/2020 15:09:57 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1196151

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	Vietnam: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Vietnamese Government on prisoners of conscience Nguyen Bac Truyen, Nguyen Trung Ton, Nguyen Van Hoa , Bui Van Trung and Phan Van Thu in light of the risk of covid-19 to detainees in overcrowded prison.
tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
uin	47318
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK is concerned by restrictions on freedom of expression in Vietnam. We regularly raise these issues at the United Nations and in bilateral contacts with the Government of Vietnam. We are concerned by prison conditions, which are affecting many inmates, including prisoners of conscience.</p><p>We raised concerns about freedom of expression and assembly, the treatment of prisoners and the protection of civil society in Vietnam during Vietnam's Universal Periodic Review in January 2019, and again in a UN Human Rights Council Item 2 Statement in March 2019.</p><p>Bilaterally, the former Minister for Asia and the Pacific, raised the UK's concerns about human rights with the Vietnamese Vice Foreign Minister during her visit to Vietnam in January 2020.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/05/2020 15:03:00 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1196176

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	St Vincent and the Grenadines: Coronavirus
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 (a) provide consular support to and (b) arrange the repatriation of British citizens in St Vincent and the Grenadines during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Reading East
tabling member printed	Matt Rodda
uin	47432
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2020 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working around the clock, through our Posts overseas and in London, to make sure all British people who need help are receiving the support and information they need. We have now brought home over 32,000 people on 155 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 29 countries and territories.</p><p>The welfare of British nationals remains our top priority, and we remain committed to ensuring that British travellers around the globe are able to return home. The UK Government is working closely with airlines, local authorities and governments in the Caribbean region to help British travellers return to the UK as part of the plan announced by the Foreign Secretary on 30 March - with up to £75 million available for special charter flights from priority countries, focused on helping the most vulnerable travellers. We have supported over 11,000 people to return home from the Caribbean via commercial means.</p><p>We are aware that there are British travellers remaining overseas in the Caribbean region and our effort is focused on supporting their return as quickly and safely as possible. British travellers wishing to return to the UK have been actively encouraged to register with their nearest High Commission or Embassy as well as to check travel advice for updates regularly: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice</a>.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 26/05/2020 14:14:38 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4654 label Biography information for Matt Rodda

1196205

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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	Xinjiang: Humanitarian Situation
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 Chinese Government on the humanitarian situation of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Province.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	47454
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary directly raised concerns about the situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. We will continue to make clear to the Chinese authorities our serious concerns about the human rights and humanitarian situation in the region, including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in &quot;political re-education camps&quot;.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 21/05/2020 14:01:18 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones