Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of violence towards (1) bystanders, and (2) protestors, in the National Day protests in Hong Kong.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We remain seriously concerned by the situation in Hong Kong, including the violent scenes that occurred on 1 October. It is essential that protests are conducted peacefully and lawfully, and that the response of the authorities is proportionate.
As we have repeatedly made clear, we believe the Hong Kong SAR Government should establish a robust, independent investigation into events. We note that the Independent Police Complaints Council are carrying out an inquiry and we look forward to further details on its scope. Whatever the format of the inquiry, it is crucial that it is credible, transparent, can rebuild trust and help to resolve the current tensions.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are deeply concerned that North Korea has conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test. This follows ten other sets of ballistic missile tests this year and is another clear violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. The UK Government has repeatedly expressed its concern at North Korea’s breaches of international law and has ensured UN Security Council consideration of the matter, most recently on Tuesday 27 August. We urge North Korea to cease these tests and engage in good faith with the United States. Until the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, UN sanctions must remain in place and be fully enforced. It is our firm belief that complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation is the path to a peaceful and more prosperous future for the North Korean people.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that people crossing the border in Gibraltar have as minimum a time delay as possible after the UK departs the EU.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Since June 2016, the British Government has engaged constructively with the Government of Gibraltar and our European partners, including Spain, to address the practical implications - including border crossings - for Gibraltar arising from EU Exit. The Spanish Government, including most recently Foreign Minister Borrell, has made clear the importance of maintaining border fluidity to avoid long delays. The Government of Gibraltar is focussed on keeping its side of the border moving quickly.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the safe passage of British tankers overseas.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The shipping industry is understandably concerned about recent regional tensions and attacks on international shipping in the Persian Gulf. These events culminated in Iran's illegal seizure of the Stena Impero, a UK-flagged tanker, on 19 July.
It is vital to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation and ensure that merchant shipping can pass through the Gulf safely. That begins with clear information flows between Government and the shipping industry. The Department for Transport (DfT) regularly reviews threats and reporting worldwide and issues the most up to date advice available to operators to assist with their risk assessments, to enable their safety while travelling overseas.
In late July, following the illegal seizure of the Stena Impero, the Royal Navy began to accompany British-flagged ships in the region to provide reassurance to the shipping industry. In parallel, we have been talking to allies and partners about the threat to international shipping in the region. On 5 August, the Government announced its decision to join an international maritime security construct in the Gulf, focused on freedom of navigation and restoring safe passage for shipping. The mission involves the Royal Navy working with international partners to accompany merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, building on existing cooperation which has seen Royal Navy vessels accompany 50 merchant ships through the Strait since 24 July.
Our participation in this construct is focused entirely on the issue of reassuring the shipping industry and deterring further attacks. The Government has not changed its wider policy towards Iran. We remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which is the best way to prevent a nuclear armed Iran. We are not part of the US maximum pressure campaign and have no wish to escalate tensions with Iran, but we also have to ensure that international law and rules are upheld and respected.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to de-escalate tensions with Iran.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK remains in close contact with Iran and other international partners, including at Ministerial level, to find diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions and to encourage all actors present in the region to avoid taking provocative actions.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the UK’s participation in the Iran nuclear agreement following escalating tensions in the region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We regard the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) as a crucial agreement that makes the world a safer place by neutralising the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. We are urging Iran not to take escalatory steps and to continue to meet its commitments under the deal. While Iran is in compliance, we remain fully committed to the JCPoA, a key achievement of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, which is in our shared security interests.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) recent protests in Hong Kong, and (2) the impact of plans to allow extradition to China on the judicial independence of Hong Kong.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The significant protests in Hong Kong show the strength of feeling among the people of Hong Kong. We are pleased to see that, in the most part, the people of Hong Kong have peacefully exercised their rights to freedom of speech and assembly, as guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. However all allegations of inappropriate use of force by the Hong Kong police should be fully investigated by the Hong Kong SAR Government.
We welcome the Chief Executive's statement that she would not proceed with the second reading of the bill, if the fears and anxieties of the people of Hong Kong were not addressed. It is vital that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and the rights and freedoms set down in the Joint Declaration are respected in full.
The most recent 6 monthly report on Hong Kong published on 27 March, made clear our view that judicial independence in Hong Kong remains robust. The proposals themselves have no direct impact on judicial independence. However we are concerned that the proposals could risk leaving the extradition process open to political interference, and could, in future, undermine Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Joint Declaration.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of possible human rights violations in Hungary; and what steps they are taking to work with EU member states to address any such problem.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK plays a leading role in the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law around the world. Our Embassy in Budapest works closely with a wide range of partners in Hungary on this agenda, including with civil society organisations. Whilst the UK remains a Member of the EU, it will continue to take part in discussion of such issues within the EU. When the UK leaves the EU, it expects to maintain its dialogue with its European partners and allies bilaterally on all matters of interest to the UK, including on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent escalating diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are concerned by the risk of unintended escalation between the United States and Iran. That is why we are speaking to all parties and specifically advising Iran – using our diplomatic relationship – that escalation is not in their interest. We are also concerned by the potential of further tension as a result of the failure of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. We are clear that maintaining this deal is important to our national security interests; the UK Government is working with our European partners to ensure it is upheld as long as Iran continues to meet its nuclear commitments in full.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking following comments by the Prime Minister of New Zealand calling for a global response to tackle racism.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The shocking attack by a terrorist, who targeted Muslims in Christchurch while they were praying, underscores the need for us all to continue our work to tackle hatred head on. As the Prime Minister has said, there can be no place in our societies for the vile ideology that drives and incites hatred and fear. The events in New Zealand must strengthen our resolve on this issue.
On racism, the Government is committed, both domestically and internationally, to eliminating any form of racial discrimination. At home, our focus is on creating a fair society where all people, regardless of ethnic origin or background, are valued and able to participate fully and realise their own potential. Internationally, we believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate for respect amongst different ethnic groups is to encourage countries to uphold their human rights obligations, including by working with international institutions, such as the United Nations. For example, the UK strongly supports the work of UN special procedure mandate holders, including the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and we encourage other States to also support their work. The UK continues to engage on resolutions which consider racism, and work with member states at a ministerial and official level.