Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN and the Commonwealth will respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for North Herefordshire of 21 June and 5 September.
Answered by Vicky Ford
We have received the correspondence of 5 September and will respond within 20 working days as per the Cabinet Office guidelines. The correspondence received on 21 June was sent to a 'no reply' email address.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to locate the former North Korean Ambassador to the United Kingdom Hak Byong Hyon.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
We are not aware of Mr Hyon Hak Bong's current role and have not taken steps to locate him.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the process for accrediting ambassadors to the UK.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows a process of reviewing each State's proposed appointee as Head of Mission to the United Kingdom in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) 1961. The process is sufficiently robust and no recent appraisal of its adequacy has therefore been required.
The appointment of Heads of Mission, both Ambassadors and High Commissioners, to the Court of St. James's is governed in international law by Article 4(1) of the VCDR. The Article requires that the sending State must ensure that agrément for the person it proposes to accredit as Head of Mission has been granted by the receiving State, before that person may be permitted to undertake the role.
On the recommendation of the Secretary of State, Her Majesty The Queen gives formal approval of Head of Mission appointments.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to ensure that ambassadors to the UK prioritise human rights issues.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
We respect the right of Foreign and Commonwealth Heads of Mission serving in the UK to pursue their own State's priorities in the same way that we expect British Heads of Mission overseas to be able to pursue the UK's priorities.
Promoting and defending human rights is a fundamental part of the UK's foreign policy. Working with other countries, whether overseas or in the UK, is an essential element in meeting our human rights goals. Where the UK has concerns, we will engage both through our network of posts and with their representatives in the UK.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in implementing an EU sanctions regime on the use of chemical weapons.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK played a key role in EU efforts to establish a new Chemical Weapons sanctions regime, which was adopted on 15 October 2018. This regime enables an asset freeze and travel ban to be imposed on those involved in the use and proliferation of chemical weapons, regardless of their nationality or location. On 21 January 2019, the EU added 9 individuals and 1 entity to the regime, which included those involved in the proliferation and use of chemical weapons in Syria, and members of the Main Intelligence Directorate responsible for the use of a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury in March 2018. This strong collective action sends a clear message that the use of these barbaric weapons will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps the Government is taking to help tackle the persecution of Christians overseas.
Answered by Mark Field
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to using our influence to defend Freedom of Religion or Belief as a universal human right which should be enjoyed by everyone. That is why the Prime Minister appointed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon as her Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Lord Ahmad regularly raises this topic with international counterparts and through the Human Rights Council. In recent years we have seen reports of a particular rise in the persecution of Christians. The Foreign Secretary launched the independent review of FCO support for persecuted Christians on 30 January. The Review will be led by the Bishop of Truro, and will map levels of persecution and discrimination against Christians around the world, and provide robust recommendations on how the FCO can respond. A final report will be presented to the Foreign Secretary this summer.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to secure the release of UK-Iranian nationals imprisoned in Iran.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The treatment of all British-Iranians detained in Iran, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a priority for the Government. We raise these cases with the Iranian Government at every opportunity. On 14 January, the Foreign Secretary summoned the Iranian Ambassador to the UK. The Foreign Secretary called for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe immediately to be given the healthcare she requires and for her and other British-Iranian dual nationals to be released. The Iranian authorities have since confirmed that access to external medical treatment will be permitted. We will continue to raise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case, as well as our other consular cases, with the Iranian Government at every opportunity, including requesting consular access, and will continue to take action in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to support a peace process in Yemen.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK is playing a leading role in seeking a political solution to end the conflict and incalculable suffering in Yemen. On 16 January, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to back the UK-led resolution which bolsters the UN Yemen peace process. It will establish a six month UN mission to monitor the Hodeidah ceasefire. The ceasefire is an important step towards peace but by no means guaranteed. It is therefore vital that all parties act in good faith and take urgent steps to implement these agreements.