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747973
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-04more like thismore than 2017-07-04
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to ban the Jehovah's Witnesses on the grounds that the group is considered to be an extremist organisation. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL427 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-19more like thismore than 2017-07-19
answer text <p>The UK is deeply concerned by the dismissal of an appeal against the decision of Russia's Supreme Court to categorise the Jehovah's Witnesses as extremists. This ruling effectively criminalises the peaceful worship of some 175,000 Russian citizens and is at odds with the right to religious freedom which is enshrined in the Russian Constitution.</p><p>I issued a statement on 18 July expressing our concerns. We have raised this issue with the Russian Government and continue to call on them to uphold their commitment to this basic freedom in international fora, including in the Council of Europe.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-19T15:57:06.487Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-19T15:57:06.487Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
747974
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-04more like thismore than 2017-07-04
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the peace accord between the government of the Central African Republic and 13 armed groups, signed in Rome on 19 June. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL428 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-13more like thismore than 2017-07-13
answer text <p>Her Majesty's Government welcomes the peace accord, signed on 19 June. However, we remain concerned by continued violence between armed groups in the Central African Republic, which is causing heavy civilian loss of life and significant population displacement, despite the agreement including an immediate cessation of hostilities. We call on all armed group leaders immediately to implement the cessation provisions in the agreement as well as to honour their commitment, without any restriction, to the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-13T14:40:08.97Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-13T14:40:08.97Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
747975
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-04more like thismore than 2017-07-04
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation facing Bahá'ís and other religious minorities in Yemen. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL429 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-19more like thismore than 2017-07-19
answer text <p>The Government is concerned about the situation faced by the Bahá'ís in Yemen. This is particularly the case in areas under the control of the Houthis and forces loyal to ex-president Saleh, where they have faced persecution due to their religious beliefs. The UK has raised the issue with the Government of Yemen and highlighted their plight through public diplomacy. Mr Burt, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, also met with representatives of the Bahá'í community on 13 July.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-19T15:56:43.543Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-19T15:56:43.543Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
747976
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-04more like thismore than 2017-07-04
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Tajikistan’s commitment to freedom of religion of belief following the decision by the State Committee for Religious Affairs to ban anyone under the age of 40 from participating in the August Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL430 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-18more like thismore than 2017-07-18
answer text <p>The restrictions on freedom of religion in Tajikistan are a growing concern and indicative of Tajikistan's heavy-handed approach to countering extremism. Our Embassy in Dushanbe raises concerns over human rights issues both bilaterally and in collaboration with the EU and like-minded partners​.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Goldie more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-18T17:00:24.487Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-18T17:00:24.487Z
answering member
4306
label Biography information for Baroness Goldie more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
747977
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-04more like thismore than 2017-07-04
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include freedom of religion or belief on the agenda of the 2018 Commonwealth Summit. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL431 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-17more like thismore than 2017-07-17
answer text <p>The Government believes that the Commonwealth is a force for good around the world, through its promotion of freedom, democracy, human rights, development and prosperity.</p><p>The UK-hosted 2018 Commonwealth Summit will encourage all Commonwealth members to uphold the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and this includes freedom of religion and belief. We are currently working on finalising the key themes and agenda for the summit which will include a focus on shared values and the human rights agenda.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-17T11:31:05.827Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-17T11:31:05.827Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
747373
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-03more like thismore than 2017-07-03
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Indonesia that Indonesia's blasphemy laws will not be applied in a discriminatory manner, including against those who do not practise one of the six religions recognised under Indonesian law. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL337 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-17more like thismore than 2017-07-17
answer text <p>We raise these issues regularly and appropriately with the Indonesian government. We supported the EU statement, issued following the conviction of the former governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (known as 'Ahok') on blasphemy charges. This called on the Indonesian government, its institutions and its people to continue the long standing tradition of tolerance and pluralism in Indonesia and stated that laws criminalising blasphemy when applied in a discriminatory manner can have a serious inhibiting effect on freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Our Ambassador to Indonesia also publicly expressed concern about the blasphemy verdict against 'Ahok' on social media. More generally, and in meetings with political and religious leaders, the Ambassador and Embassy officials have actively cautioned against mixing issues of race, ethnicity and religion with politics.</p><p>In addition, we are also supporting the Indonesian parliament in their ongoing revision of the Indonesian Penal Code to encourage respect for human rights, including freedom of religion.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Goldie more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-17T16:52:25.29Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-17T16:52:25.29Z
answering member
4306
label Biography information for Baroness Goldie more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
747374
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-07-03more like thismore than 2017-07-03
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assist the government of Indonesia in strengthening Indonesia's resilience to violent extremism. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL338 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-17more like thismore than 2017-07-17
answer text <p>The British Government has provided resilience assistance to the Indonesian government since the appalling terrorist attacks in Bali in 2002. Since then, the UK has supported Indonesian efforts to improve its capabilities in disrupting terrorist activity in Indonesia, particularly through the work of the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) which provides training to law enforcement officials and enables sharing of UK expertise. We remain concerned by current trends in violent extremism in Indonesia, including terrorist attacks such as in central Jakarta in January 2016. We are supporting work to increase community resilience to extremism as well as continuing efforts with the Indonesian authorities to counter violent extremism. This includes support for legal reform as well as the promotion of human rights.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Goldie more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-17T16:56:39.353Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-17T16:56:39.353Z
answering member
4306
label Biography information for Baroness Goldie more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
731100
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-06-21more like thismore than 2017-06-21
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding the death sentence handed down by Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Court on 10 June to Taimoor Raza, a Shi'a Muslim, for allegedly committing blasphemy on Facebook. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL108 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-07-03more like thismore than 2017-07-03
answer text <p>The UK remains firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. We have repeatedly called upon the Government of Pakistan to end capital punishment and, at a minimum, commit publicly to renewing the previously imposed moratorium on the death penalty. We regularly raise our concerns about freedom of expression and the misuse of the blasphemy laws with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Our concerns are reflected in the latest update to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual human rights report.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary raised religious tolerance and misuse of the blasphemy laws during his visit to Pakistan in November 2016. Mr Sharma, in his previous role as Minister for Asia, discussed the death penalty and the importance we attach to freedom of expression with Kamran Michael, Pakistani Minister for Human Rights, and Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Human Rights, during his visit to Pakistan in January 2017.</p><p>The Government will continue to urge Pakistan to honour, promote and protect its human rights obligations, including those related to the death penalty and freedom of expression and religion.</p>
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-07-03T15:15:09.83Zmore like thismore than 2017-07-03T15:15:09.83Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
731101
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-06-21more like thismore than 2017-06-21
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Indonesia in respect of Indonesia's blasphemy laws following the two-year prison sentence handed down on 9 May to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the former Christian Governor of Jakarta, for allegedly committing blasphemy against Islam. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL109 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-06-29more like thismore than 2017-06-29
answer text <p>In response to the verdict, the UK, along with other EU member states, issued a statement through the EU Mission to Indonesia which stated that laws criminalising blasphemy when applied in a discriminatory manner can have a serious inhibiting effect on freedom of expression and freedom of religion. The statement called on the Indonesian government, its institutions and its people to continue the long standing tradition of tolerance and pluralism in Indonesia.</p><p>Our Ambassador to Indonesia publicly expressed concern about the blasphemy verdict against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. In his meetings with political and religious leaders, the Ambassador has actively cautioned against mixing issues of race, ethnicity and religion with politics.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-06-29T16:04:14.557Zmore like thismore than 2017-06-29T16:04:14.557Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
731102
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2017-06-21more like thismore than 2017-06-21
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 more like this
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
house id 2 remove filter
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this
uin HL110 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2017-06-29more like thismore than 2017-06-29
answer text <p>Indonesia has a strong tradition of religious diversity and tolerance, with freedom of religion guaranteed under the Constitution of 1945 and more recently in Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights which upholds freedom of religion as a fundamental right. Nevertheless, there continue to be localised instances of religious conflict where the rights of religious minority groups have not been protected.</p><p>We have made representations encouraging the Indonesian government to ensure that blasphemy laws are not applied in a discriminatory manner, including against those who do not practice one of the six religions recognised under Indonesian law. We therefore welcome recent statements by Indonesian President Joko Widodo reaffirming his commitment to pluralism and religious diversity.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
question first answered
less than 2017-06-29T16:06:54.877Zmore like thismore than 2017-06-29T16:06:54.877Z
answering member
4210
label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon more like this
tabling member
4266
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry more like this