Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what issues they will raise as a priority at the next meeting of the UN Human Rights Council due to be held between 25 February and 22 March in Geneva; and which countries they will highlight as countries of concern in their statement to the Council.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's priority for all sessions of the UN Human Rights Council is to ensure that it holds those responsible for human rights violations and abuses to account, effectively addresses global threats to human rights, and strengthens protections for the future. At the 40th session, specific priorities will include the human rights situation in Syria, Sri Lanka, Burma, Iran, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Libya and South Sudan, and thematic priorities of media freedom, human rights defenders, and freedom of religion or belief. The UK will continue to use statements to the Council to hold countries that violate human rights to account.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which Government department leads on the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) is a Foreign and Commonwealth Office lead. The Foreign Secretary continues to represent the PSVI at the Cabinet, while I, as the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, lead work across government, internationally with key partners including the UN, Commonwealth and civil society organisations.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the impact of the harassment and abuse of monitors from the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mission, reported to have been carried out by the South Sudanese National Security Service, near Juba in December 2018.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We strongly condemn the unacceptable harassment and abuse of monitors from the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mission (CTSAMVM) on 18 December 2018. This incident not only constitutes a breach of the 12 September peace agreement, but is also an appalling violation of the human rights of the individuals targeted who are doing an important job in the interests of peace in South Sudan.
Through our bilateral engagement, and as part of the Troika (with the USA and Norway), we have joined the UN, EU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in publicly condemning this incident in the strongest terms. We urge the Government of South Sudan to conduct a full investigation and hold to account those found responsible. CTSAMVM is a vital monitoring mechanism under the peace agreement and any hindrance in their ability to conduct their operations safely and effectively is a hindrance to the peace process itself.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations were made by the Foreign Secretary to the government of Singapore during his visit in January 2019 to press for the abolition of the death penalty there.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary visited Singapore on 2-4 January 2019. He held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Foreign Minister Balakrishnan. The main focus was on post-Brexit trade, regional security, the rules-based international system and long-term UK/Singapore cooperation. He also raised judicial corporal punishment. The Singapore government is fully aware of our position on corporal punishment and the death penalty. We continue to raise these issues at the highest levels.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to support calls from Cuban Catholic and Protestant religious leaders to include protections for freedom of religion or belief and freedom of conscience in the new constitution of Cuba in line with international human rights law.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK welcomes the proposed constitutional reforms in Cuba, which we hope will improve the political, social and economic rights of the Cuban people, including guarantees for freedom of religion and belief. However, human rights violations, including against freedom of religion or belief, remain a cause for concern. The Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, raised these concerns most recently during his meeting with the Cuban Foreign Minister in November. The UK also addresses these issues through multilateral human rights fora, including the UN Universal Periodic Review and the EU-Cuba Human Rights Dialogue.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan about securing the safety of Asia Bibi, and all those associated with her and her trial, following her acquittal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on 31 October.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As the Prime Minister has said, Asia Bibi's acquittal is very welcome news to her family and those who have campaigned in Pakistan and around the world for her release.
We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and the protection of minority religious communities, with the Pakistani Government at a senior level. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific raised discrimination against religious minorities with the Ministry of Human Rights during his visit to Pakistan in November 2017. I discussed the treatment of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, in September 2018.
We will continue to press the new Government of Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the rule of law.
Due to the sensitivity of Asia Bibi's situation it would be inappropriate to comment in detail. The long-term safety of Asia Bibi and her family remains utmost in our considerations.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 15 October (HL10375 and HL10376), what assurances they have received from the government of South Sudan that there will now be appropriate accountability by that government for the management of its oil revenues; and what discussions they have had with non-governmental organisations in South Sudan about this issue.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK welcomes the signing of the revised peace agreement on 12 September. As part of this deal, all of the parties committed to economic reforms, including more transparent and accountable management of oil revenues. They must now show genuine commitment to implement all of this agreement in full. They have taken some important steps but there is a very long way to go.
Through our bilateral engagement, and as a member of the Troika, we continue to urge the Government and other parties to meet their commitments and ensure that the country's resources are managed in a transparent and accountable way, for the benefit of all South Sudanese. We also continue to support civil society's important and active role in all aspects of the peace process and its implementation.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take following their support for the resolution passed at the Human Rights Council on 27 September 2018 to promote and protect human rights in Venezuela and to call upon the government of Venezuela to open its doors to humanitarian assistance to address the scarcity of food and medicines and rise in malnutrition.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has long expressed its deep concern at the human rights situation in Venezuela. In November 2017, the EU unanimously agreed a sanctions regime on Venezuela. Targeted measures have been imposed on 18 individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses, and undermining democracy and the rule of law. We are continuing to work closely with EU, regional and international partners and urge the Venezuelan government to engage in serious, credible, and results-based negotiations with the opposition; to respect democratic institutions; to ensure free and fair elections, and to release all political prisoners.
The UK is already providing support to the crisis through our funding to key UN and humanitarian agencies, as well as through our support to the EU Commission which is providing 35 million Euros. The UK is deploying two humanitarian advisors to the region. The Department for International Development is also funding 5 UN experts through the Stand-by partnership mechanism, who are helping to coordinate the response in the region.
Venezuelan government political restrictions pose constraints for the delivery of assistance to those most in need. It will remain difficult until the Venezuelan government recognises the plight of its citizens and accepts international cooperation.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress which could be made as a result of the signing of a Peace Agreement in South Sudan in September 2018; and what assurances they have received that there will now be appropriate accountability by the government of South Sudan for the management of its oil revenues.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Cessation of Hostilities signed on 21 December 2017 was violated repeatedly by all sides. The September 2018 peace agreement recommits the parties to laying down their weapons. In order for meaningful progress to be made, all parties must now deliver on their promises, including: an immediate and verifiable end to fighting; the release of political prisoners; unimpeded access for humanitarian actors; and access for UN peacekeepers.
The UK urges the parties to implement the September agreement sincerely and inclusively. We continue to call for an end to the culture of impunity for those working against peace, including by implementation of UN sanctions and the arms embargo that the UK played a leading role in securing in July.
Asked by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the outcome of the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement by leaders in South Sudan at the end of 2017.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Cessation of Hostilities signed on 21 December 2017 was violated repeatedly by all sides. The September 2018 peace agreement recommits the parties to laying down their weapons. In order for meaningful progress to be made, all parties must now deliver on their promises, including: an immediate and verifiable end to fighting; the release of political prisoners; unimpeded access for humanitarian actors; and access for UN peacekeepers.
The UK urges the parties to implement the September agreement sincerely and inclusively. We continue to call for an end to the culture of impunity for those working against peace, including by implementation of UN sanctions and the arms embargo that the UK played a leading role in securing in July.