Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the recent decision by the government of the Cayman Islands to recognise LGBT relationships in law, what steps they are taking to ensure that LGBT citizens of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Monserrat, and Northern Ireland have the right to enter into a same sex marriage.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
After the Cayman Islands court judgement (which has been appealed by the Cayman Island Government) ten Overseas Territories have legal recognition and protection for same sex relationships. The British Overseas Territories are separate, largely self-governing jurisdictions with their own democratically elected representatives. Our relationship with the Overseas Territories is based on partnership and therefore as policy on marriage law is an area of devolved responsibility it should be for the territories to decide and legislate on. As has been demonstrated by recent LGBT cases, the Territories' justice mechanisms and processes should be allowed the space to address these matters. We are working to encourage those Territories that have not put in place arrangements to recognise and protect same sex relationships, to do so, and continue to engage with all the Overseas Territories to ensure that their legislation is compliant with their international human rights obligations. We continue to raise LGBT rights and broader human rights obligations consistently with the leaders of Overseas Territories - both bilaterally, and at the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Councils. This is also a matter that is raised by Governors' Offices.
As marriage is devolved in Northern Ireland, any question of reform to law or policy is rightly one for a devolved Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland to carefully consider and debate. The Government would hope and encourage a restored Executive to progress legislation on this issue.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to authorities in Chechnya regarding the disappearance of Zelim Bakeav in August 2017.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK remains deeply concerned by the disappearance of Zelim Bakaev and the persecution of many other individuals in Chechnya due to their sexual orientation. Together with our international partners, we continue to raise our serious concerns with the Russian authorities in a number of multilateral fora – including the UN, Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe for the release and safe return of all those abducted and urging them to investigate fully and bring those responsible to justice.
Asked by: Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the living conditions for gay men in Chechnya, including whether those conditions have changed for the better or worse in 2017.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We have long held concerns about the human rights situation in Chechnya, in particular the hostile environment for members of the LGBT community. We assess the situation to have deteriorated significantly in 2017, and remain deeply concerned by the continued detention, torture and murder of LGBT people. Statements attributed to the authorities in Chechnya, implying that such treatment towards LGBT people is acceptable, are particularly abhorrent and could incite further violence against LGBT persons.