Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish the UK's delegation to the COP 31 Summit in Antalya, Türkiye.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The final list of UK delegates travelling to COP will be published by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat at the end of COP31.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Council of Europe on the level of Turkey's compliance with its obligations under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals in rehousing street dogs into shelters, including under that country's Animal Protection Law, No. 7527.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
As a member of the Council of Europe, the UK expects Turkey to act in line with conventions promoting animal welfare. This includes the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. The UK will continue to support international efforts to promote the humane treatment of animals and responsible approaches to animal welfare.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Turkey on fulfilling its obligations under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals to protect the welfare of street dogs forcibly moved into shelters as a result of the 2024 Animal Protection Law.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
As a member of the Council of Europe, the UK expects Turkey to act in line with conventions promoting animal welfare. This includes the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. The UK will continue to support international efforts to promote the humane treatment of animals and responsible approaches to animal welfare.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to raise concerns with the Government of Turkey regarding the potential mistreatment of street dogs forcibly moved into shelters under the 2024 Animal Protection Law.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
As a member of the Council of Europe, the UK expects Turkey to act in line with conventions promoting animal welfare. This includes the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. The UK will continue to support international efforts to promote the humane treatment of animals and responsible approaches to animal welfare.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that officials working on human rights and international development have access to appropriate (a) tools, (b) training, and (c) research on freedom of religious belief.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
All staff working in this area are equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to support delivery of the Government's Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) strategy. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB also plays an active role in strengthening our capability, through his engagement with officials in the UK and overseas, helping to build understanding of the issues, and support implementation of the Government's approach.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking through (a) the United Nations, (b) the Organization of American States and (c) other multilateral institutions to help support members of religious minorities in indigenous communities in Mexico, including their access to basic services, and their forcibly displacement.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A number of Parliamentary Questions have been asked in recent months around the persecution of members and leaders of Christian congregations and other religious groups in Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico and Cuba, and these are issues the Government continues to take very seriously as part of our commitment to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world. Specifically, on each of the countries raised by the Hon Member, I refer her to the answers provided to Questions 5332 and 5388 on 8 June, Question 5283 on 4 June, and Question 66106 on 17 July 2025.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has raised with the Government of Cuba the arbitrary detention of Jonathan Muir Burgos on 15 March 2026.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A number of Parliamentary Questions have been asked in recent months around the persecution of members and leaders of Christian congregations and other religious groups in Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico and Cuba, and these are issues the Government continues to take very seriously as part of our commitment to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world. Specifically, on each of the countries raised by the Hon Member, I refer her to the answers provided to Questions 5332 and 5388 on 8 June, Question 5283 on 4 June, and Question 66106 on 17 July 2025.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of (a) the assassination of at least 11 religious leaders by illegal armed groups in Columbia over the past 18 months and (b) the continued refusal by the Columbian Government to restore access for religious officials to the government protection scheme; and whether her Department has made representations about these matters with the Government of Colombia.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A number of Parliamentary Questions have been asked in recent months around the persecution of members and leaders of Christian congregations and other religious groups in Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico and Cuba, and these are issues the Government continues to take very seriously as part of our commitment to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world. Specifically, on each of the countries raised by the Hon Member, I refer her to the answers provided to Questions 5332 and 5388 on 8 June, Question 5283 on 4 June, and Question 66106 on 17 July 2025.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies towards Nicaragua of requirements for Catholic and Protestant religious leaders to report regularly to police authorities and obtain permission for all religious activities; and whether she plans to raise these restrictions through bilateral or multilateral channels.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A number of Parliamentary Questions have been asked in recent months around the persecution of members and leaders of Christian congregations and other religious groups in Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico and Cuba, and these are issues the Government continues to take very seriously as part of our commitment to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world. Specifically, on each of the countries raised by the Hon Member, I refer her to the answers provided to Questions 5332 and 5388 on 8 June, Question 5283 on 4 June, and Question 66106 on 17 July 2025.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Nicaragua on the detention of Protestant Pastor Efren Vilchez.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A number of Parliamentary Questions have been asked in recent months around the persecution of members and leaders of Christian congregations and other religious groups in Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico and Cuba, and these are issues the Government continues to take very seriously as part of our commitment to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world. Specifically, on each of the countries raised by the Hon Member, I refer her to the answers provided to Questions 5332 and 5388 on 8 June, Question 5283 on 4 June, and Question 66106 on 17 July 2025.