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419694

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, and in particular its commitment to freedom of religion or belief.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Bristol
uin	HL2397
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2015 answer text <p>Saudi Arabia is a Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office priority country because of the human rights situation, particularly on the death penalty, access to justice, women’s rights, restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion or belief. The British Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief. Islamic law is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia and the public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal. The Saudi authorities do accept foreign workers privately practising religions other than Islam. <br> <br>We believe that the key to increasing freedom in this area is to focus on tolerance. We have worked with Saudi Arabia to identify areas where different faiths could work together and foster trust.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/10/2015 14:40:17 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3892 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Bristol

419695

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Saudi Arabia: UN Human Rights Council
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the appointment of Saudi Arabia to head a panel at the UN Human Rights Council.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Bristol
uin	HL2398
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2015 answer text <p>The appointment of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the UN Consultative Group as Chair was an internal decision of the Consultative Group, which is comprised of five Ambassadors, one from each of the five regional groups of the UN. The Saudi Arabian Ambassador is the Asian Group representative in the Consultative Group, to which appointment lasts for one year.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/10/2015 14:40:58 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3892 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Bristol

419696

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Ali Mohammed al-Nimr
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the decision by the Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia to uphold the sentencing of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, who was arrested as a juvenile, to death by crucifixion for seeking democratic reforms in that country.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL2399
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2015 answer text <p>The British Government is very concerned about the case of Ali Mohammed Al-Nimr. We have raised this case with the Saudi Arabian authorities at a senior level including by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond). We will continue to follow this case closely. The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, especially in cases which do not meet the minimum standards defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This includes the execution of a minor and the use of the death penalty for a crime which isn’t deemed “the most serious”.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/10/2015 14:41:38 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

419697

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Saudi Arabia: Capital Punishment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to Saudi Arabia regarding the use of beheading and crucifixion as criminal punishments.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL2400
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2015 answer text <p>The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, especially in cases which do not meet the minimum standards defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We believe it undermines human dignity and there is no evidence that it works as a deterrent.</p><p>Ministers, our Ambassador in Riyadh, and the Embassy team in Riyadh frequently raise the issue of the death penalty with the Saudi authorities, bilaterally and through the European Union.</p><p /> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/10/2015 14:42:04 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

419699

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Sudan: Cluster Munitions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Sudan following the findings by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor that Sudanese armed forces used air-dropped cluster bombs in Darfur and South Kordofan’s Nuba Mountains in the first half of 2015.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL2402
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2015 answer text <p>We have brought this issue to the attention of the Government of Sudan. We have also raised the use of cluster munitions in Darfur through the UN Security Council and will continue to do so. Most recently, the UK-drafted Security Council resolution 2228 called for the Government of Sudan to immediately investigate evidence on cluster munitions presented by the Secretary General. The UK is clear that cluster munitions should in no circumstances be used to target civilians, and urge all States to act in accordance with international humanitarian law.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/10/2015 14:42:50 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

419700

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Stephan Templ
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed with the government of Austria the case of Stephan Templ, chronicler of Nazi looting in Vienna, who has been sentenced to imprisonment in connection with his claim for restitution.
tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
uin	HL2403
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2015 answer text We are aware of the legal case concerning Stephan Templ. Our Embassy has close relations with the Secretary General of the Austrian National Fund for Victims of National Socialism, which was established in 1995 to fulfil Austria’s responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism. The British Government encourages the authorities in Austria and other countries in the region to address restitution and compensation claims from those who were tragically affected by the Holocaust as soon as possible, in a way that would be just and satisfactory to the claimants. We will continue to engage with the authorities to press the case for victims of National Socialism to receive justice and fair compensation, particularly through the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The Government has appointed Sir Eric Pickles as its envoy for post holocaust issues, and he will continue to raise such issues at every opportunity. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 15/10/2015 16:03:37 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

419701

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Georgia: NATO Enlargement
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of Georgia’s suitability to become a member of NATO.
tabling member printed	Baroness Falkner of Margravine
uin	HL2404
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2015 answer text <p>The UK supports the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)’s Open Door policy and welcomes the membership aspirations of all countries currently seeking to join the Alliance. Allies declared at the NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008 that Georgia will one day become a member of NATO. Georgia is a highly valued partner of NATO. Georgia co-operates with NATO through a number of mechanisms which provide Allies with on-going assessments of Georgia’s progress. In 2008, the NATO-Georgia Commission was established to serve as a forum for political consultations and practical co-operation to help Georgia achieve its goal of membership of NATO. At the NATO Summit in Wales, the Alliance also agreed a ‘Substantial Package’ of support for Georgia to strengthen defence capabilities, and interoperability with the Alliance, and provide a new “enhanced partnership” status. Separately Allies agreed to establish Defence Capacity Building Missions in Georgia and Moldova. The UK has contributed £1,750,000 to a new Trust Fund to help facilitate these. Allies will next assess Georgia’s progress in advance of the next NATO Foreign Ministers meeting on 2 December.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 15/10/2015 16:04:53 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3670 label Biography information for Baroness Falkner of Margravine

419702

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Georgia: Russia
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent reports of creeping annexation of Georgian territory by Russia.
tabling member printed	Baroness Falkner of Margravine
uin	HL2405
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2015 answer text <p>The UK continues to be concerned by ongoing reports of Russian supported borderisation (building fences and putting up “border” signs) along the Administrative Boundary Line with the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A recent example occurred in July 2015 when so-called border signs were moved closer to the South Ossetian Administrative Boundary Line. Regular reporting by the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia provides valuable updates on the constant, low-level borderisation process by Russian and South Ossetian personnel.</p><p>The UK has a clear policy of non recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s claims to independence, and recognises Georgia’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty over these two regions. We reject any actions which will increase tensions and the isolation in communities living along the Administrative Boundary Lines and call on Russia to fulfil all of its 2008 ceasefire commitments, including removing its troops from South Ossetia to pre-conflict positions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 15/10/2015 16:05:47 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3670 label Biography information for Baroness Falkner of Margravine

419703

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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	Catalonia: Sovereignty
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place at a senior level with the government of Spain regarding a referendum on Catalonian independence, following the regional elections on 27 September.
tabling member printed	Baroness Falkner of Margravine
uin	HL2406
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2015 answer text There have been no official discussions with the Government of Spain regarding a referendum on Catalonian independence since Catalonia’s regional election on 27 September. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 15/10/2015 16:12:43 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3670 label Biography information for Baroness Falkner of Margravine

419712

registered interest
date	05/10/2015
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: Elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, or other similar bodies, will be sending official observers to the general election on 1 November in Turkey; and if not, why not.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL2415
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2015 answer text <p>The British Government has already deployed 2 Long Term Observers to Turkey to join the 18 other Long Term Observers in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Limited Election Observation Mission for the early parliamentary elections in Turkey scheduled for 1 November 2015.</p><p>Delegations from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and from the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE will also observe the elections in Turkey on 1 November.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/10/2015 14:43:46 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton