Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - 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 the recent attacks on the Ahmadi mosque in Chakwal, and on the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Raburah; and about the arrest of Ahmadis in these incidents.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK Government is aware of reports of the raid on an Ahmadiyya Muslim office in Rabwah on 5 December and condemns the attack on the Ahmadiyya mosque in Chakwal on 12 December. The Government strongly condemns the persecution of all minorities, including the targeting of people based on their beliefs. Our concerns are reflected in the latest update to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual human rights report.
We regularly raise our concerns about the protection of minority communities, including religious minorities, with the Government of Pakistan. During his visit to Pakistan in November 2016, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), raised religious tolerance and the importance of safeguarding the rights of all Pakistan's citizens. During his visit to Pakistan in January 2017, the Minister for Asia and the Pacific, my Hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Sharma), raised the protection of minorities, including the Ahmadiyya, with Kamran Michael, Pakistani Minister for Human Rights, and Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Human Rights. The Government continues to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to religious minorities, and to uphold the rule of law.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the efficiency of the Foreign Office's vetting process for new employees; and what is the average time a successful applicant has to wait before they can start their duties.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Most new employees are cleared within 60 working days if they require Developed Vetting clearance, or 18 days if they require Security Checked clearance. Occasionally additional checks are required which may take longer. All Foreign and Commonwealth Office vetting is conducted in accordance with the requirements and standards set by the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the treatment of Russian minorities in the Baltic States, particularly Lithuania, and (2) whether such treatment would attract a response from Russia; and if so, what type of response that would be.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
There are sizeable Russian-speaking communities in Latvia and Estonia, and a smaller community in Lithuania. All EU Member States are obliged to meet the standards for minority rights and are subject to obligations and monitoring mechanisms, such as through the Council of Europe. Our Embassies in the Baltic States have supported programmes run by their host governments and non-governmental organisations to encourage integration, tolerance, diversity and respect for minorities - including programmes to support media plurality and social cohesion.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many EU proposals and initiatives, of which they are aware, are being delayed for publication until after 23 June, and what are those initiatives.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Decisions on the timing of proposals for EU Laws and Directives are solely the responsibility of the European Commission. The European Parliament publishes details of current legislation under negotiation on its website.