Asked by: Bim Afolami (Conservative - Hitchin and Harpenden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of religious freedom in Mauritania; and what steps the Government is taking to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief in that country.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Mauritanian Constitution establishes that Islam is the religion of its citizens and the State. The UK Government has raised the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief with the Mauritanian Government on a number of occasions, and is committed to working with international partners to protect this freedom. Our Ambassador raised the issue of human rights in Mauritania with the Mauritanian Foreign Minister on 17 January.
Asked by: Bim Afolami (Conservative - Hitchin and Harpenden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of India in the case of the UK citizen Jagtar Singh Johal; what reports his Department has received on the treatment of that person; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mark Field
Consular staff in India were made aware of allegations of mistreatment through Mr Johal's legal representation. Our priority is to inquire about these specific allegations with Mr Johal in private. We take all allegations of torture of mistreatment extremely seriously and we will press for action appropriate to the situation, with the consent of the individual, avoiding any action that may put the individual concerned at risk. The Foreign Secretary raised the case with the Indian Minister of External Affairs on 23 November and Consular officials continue to reiterate our request for a private meeting with Mr Johal with the Indian Government. I have personally raised this with the Indian High Commissioner.