Asked by: Lord Balfe (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 4 June (HL8029), whether they will now answer the question asked, namely whether they intend to make representations to the government of Turkey that Teken Ipek, who has been imprisoned for over two years without being charged, should receive swift access to justice and that before his trial consideration should be given to releasing him.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We do not currently plan to make representations over this specific case. We regularly encourage Turkey to ensure that detainees are guaranteed the right to a fair trial, and to grant release from pre-trial detention where appropriate.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (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 4 June (HL8028), whether they will now answer the question asked, namely whether they will make representations to the government of Turkey regarding the continued detention of Seyran Demir and Sise Bingol.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We do not currently plan to make representations over these specific cases. We consistently urge the Turkish authorities to ensure that detainees are guaranteed the right to a fair trial and humane treatment while in custody.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of Turkey that Teken Ipek, who has been imprisoned for over two years without being charged, should receive swift access to justice and that before his trial consideration should be given to releasing him.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is important that the Turkish Government's response to the coup attempt and the on-going terrorist challenge, is lawful, measured and democratic. We have highlighted to the Turkish Government our view that the right to a fair trial should be protected and Turkey's international obligations upheld.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (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 17 April (HL6964), whether they will now make representations to the government of Turkey regarding the continued detention of Seyran Demir and Sise Bingol.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK regularly raises with the Turkish Government the need for progress on the cases of individuals detained following the attempted coup in 2016. The Prime Minister raised detention issues with President Erdogan during his visit to the UK in May, and underlined that we want to see democratic values and international human rights obligations upheld in Turkey.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many representations they have made to the government of Turkey regarding individuals detained in prison in the last year.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have made frequent representations to the Turkish government in the last year, including over the detention of Amnesty International staff and other human rights defenders as well as the imprisoned Cumhuriyet journalists. The Prime Minister raised the subject with President Erdogan during his visit to London in May.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy position at the forthcoming NATO summit on Georgia's aspiration to join NATO.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports NATO's 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration that Georgia and Ukraine will become members of NATO, and continues to support NATO's Open Door policy, under which all European democracies are entitled to pursue NATO membership. The UK supports Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and closer integration with NATO. We acknowledge the significant progress made by Georgia on reform and its continued commitment to NATO and international security.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy position at the forthcoming NATO summit on Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports NATO's 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration that Georgia and Ukraine will become members of NATO, and continues to support NATO's Open Door policy, under which all European democracies are entitled to pursue NATO membership. Ukraine must now achieve the standards expected of an ally and be able to undertake the commitments and obligations of membership.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make representations to the government of Turkey regarding the continued detention of (1) Seyran Demir, a young female prisoner with leukaemia, and (2) Sise Bingol, a seriously ill 78 year old woman imprisoned for "willingly helping a terrorist organisation".
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the cases of Seyran Demir and Sise Bingol. We regularly engage with the Government of Turkey over the human rights situation in the country. We consistently urge Turkey to uphold the rights of all its citizens, including those in detention, in line with its domestic responsibilities and international obligations. We will continue to engage with Turkey on these important issues.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British nationals serve as EU Ambassadors or heads of mission in the European External Action Service; and how many of them are employed (1) directly, and (2) on secondment, from Her Majesty’s Government.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In October 2017 the European External Action Service (EEAS) informed us that there were four British Heads of Delegations. Of these, one was posted from the UK civil service on a temporary agent contract, and three were permanent officials of the EEAS.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 16 November (HL Deb, cols 1424–5), what steps they are taking to reduce the number of leaks of confidential communications, and in particular whether they intend to restrict distribution lists.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Everyone who works with government has a duty to respect the confidentiality and integrity of any Government information and data that they use, and is personally accountable for safeguarding assets in line with this policy. Foreign and Comonwealth Office (FCO) Guidance already recommends restricting distribution lists for particularly sensitive information. Whenever there is an alleged leak of FCO information, the Department follows established Cabinet Office investigation procedures.