Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will support the Government of Ukraine to raise international awareness of the deaths that occurred during the Holodomor of 1932-33.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Holodomor was a horrific, man-made disaster of unimaginable scale. We recognise the human tragedy that occurred and its importance in the history of Ukraine and Europe. The UK remembers this tragic event each year. In the absence of a large-scale commemoration this year due to COVID-19, the British Ambassador to Ukraine paid her respects and laid flowers at the Holodomor memorial in Kyiv.
On 28 November 2020, I tweeted a message in remembrance of the victims of Holodomor, and paid tribute to those keeping their memories alive. We will continue to raise international awareness of the appalling famine brought about by Soviet policies 87 years ago.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the Sunday Times report of 15 November 2020 on the Belgium’s security authorities' allegations that the Iranian Government were involved in a bomb plot to attack a conference of Iranian dissidents in 2018.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We are aware of the trial of four Iranians in Belgium in relation to the 2018 plot against a conference in Paris. We are deeply concerned about the plot, and particularly that an Iranian diplomat may be involved with the incident. While the legal process is ongoing, however, it would be inappropriate to comment further and we have not made specific representations to the Iranian Government. The UK strongly condemns the targeting of civilians and welcomes steps taken to hold those responsible to account. We continue to work closely with our European partners on security and counter-terrorism issues. We are not aware at this stage of a link to the UK.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Turkish counterpart condemning the recent visit of President Erdogan to Varosha.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK continues to follow the situation in Varosha with concern. Prior to the visit of President Erdogan to the island, we made representations to Turkey through our Embassy in Ankara. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue of Varosha during his call with Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Ersin Tatar on 12 November and will discuss with the Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusolgu on 19 November.
The UK continues to strongly support the numerous Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha, notably 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). The issue underlines the importance of reaching a comprehensive Cyprus Settlement as a matter of urgency.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Nigerian counterpart on recent human rights abuses in Nigeria.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK Government's position on human rights is firm: they are universal and must apply equally to all people. We condemn all human rights abuses in Nigeria and encourage all parties to work together to enable the people of Nigeria to exercise their rights safely, peacefully and in line with the rule of law.
The UK Government works closely with the Nigerian Government and international and civil society partners on improving the human rights compliance and accountability of the Nigerian authorities. We are deeply concerned by violence during protests in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria, which has tragically claimed lives. Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected. The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 21 October calling for the Nigerian Government to urgently investigate reports of brutality by its security forces and hold those responsible to account. I repeated this message to the Nigerian Foreign Minister on 23 October. We also remain committed to helping Nigeria tackle the ongoing terrorist threat from groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, who commit human rights abuses in North East Nigeria. The Prime Minister raised security concerns in North East Nigeria and UK support during his meeting with President Buhari at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in January 2020. We will continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting human rights for all.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish any assessment he has made of the effectiveness of human rights training programmes which his Department has supported in Nigeria in the last two years.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK Government is firmly committed to promoting and protecting human rights around the world. We have supported efforts to bring about the long-term changes needed to improve human rights compliance in Nigeria, including through providing human rights training to the Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Armed Forces. For example, under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, the Nigeria Policing Programme provided human rights training to the Nigerian Police Force. Evaluations show this led to improved relationships and trust with communities and the police continue to work on community safety and security. We will continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting human rights for all Nigerians.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Turkish counterpart on the decision to re-open beachfront areas in Famagusta in violation of UN resolutions.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK continues to be concerned by the announcement on 6 October to open the beach within the fenced-off area of Varosha and the subsequent opening of this beach on 8 October. We have made representations to Turkey through our Embassy in Ankara both prior to and following the announcement. These have been reinforced by conversations held with the Turkish Representative at the United Nations in New York and with the Turkish Ambassador in London.
In response to the announcement, the UK called for the UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on the matter on 9 October. The UK continues to strongly support the numerous Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha, notably 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). In this regard, we support the UN Presidential Statement reaffirming its support for the relevant Security Council Resolutions and expressing deep concern regarding the announcement. The issue of Varosha underlines the importance of reaching a comprehensive Cyprus Settlement as a matter of urgency. On 19 October the Foreign Secretary spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusolgu and stressed the importance of resuming the UN Cyprus Settlement process.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations in the UN Security Council on the decision to re-open beachfront areas in Famagusta in violation of UN resolutions.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK continues to be concerned by the announcement on 6 October to open the beach within the fenced-off area of Varosha and the subsequent opening of this beach on 8 October. We have made representations to Turkey through our Embassy in Ankara both prior to and following the announcement. These have been reinforced by conversations held with the Turkish Representative at the United Nations in New York and with the Turkish Ambassador in London.
In response to the announcement, the UK called for the UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on the matter on 9 October. The UK continues to strongly support the numerous Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha, notably 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). In this regard, we support the UN Presidential Statement reaffirming its support for the relevant Security Council Resolutions and expressing deep concern regarding the announcement. The issue of Varosha underlines the importance of reaching a comprehensive Cyprus Settlement as a matter of urgency. On 19 October the Foreign Secretary spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusolgu and stressed the importance of resuming the UN Cyprus Settlement process.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he is making to his Turkish counterpart on compliance with UN resolutions on Famagusta.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK continues to be concerned by the announcement on 6 October to open the beach within the fenced-off area of Varosha and the subsequent opening of this beach on 8 October. We have made representations to Turkey through our Embassy in Ankara both prior to and following the announcement. These have been reinforced by conversations held with the Turkish Representative at the United Nations in New York and with the Turkish Ambassador in London.
In response to the announcement, the UK called for the UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on the matter on 9 October. The UK continues to strongly support the numerous Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha, notably 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). In this regard, we support the UN Presidential Statement reaffirming its support for the relevant Security Council Resolutions and expressing deep concern regarding the announcement. The issue of Varosha underlines the importance of reaching a comprehensive Cyprus Settlement as a matter of urgency. On 19 October the Foreign Secretary spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusolgu and stressed the importance of resuming the UN Cyprus Settlement process.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Pakistani Government on the series of attacks made against Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan during August 2020.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are aware of the concerning reports of violence against members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan including in August. The UK Government remains deeply concerned by reports of discrimination and violence against religious communities in Pakistan, including against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan at senior levels to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens, regardless of their belief. Most recently, Lord Ahmad raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 27 August.
Asked by: Theresa Villiers (Conservative - Chipping Barnet)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Pakistani Government about the welfare of Maria Shahbaz, the 14-year-old Christian girl who was kidnapped and forcibly married and converted to Islam in Faisalabad in April 2020.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are closely monitoring Maira Shahbaz's case following her reported abduction in April. The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls. We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girl's rights and gender equality with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently, on 27 August, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised our human rights concerns including Freedom of Religion of Belief with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari. In addition, on 8 September, Lord Ahmad discussed Freedom of Religion Belief with the Governor of Punjab.