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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 25 Jun 2019
Oral Answers to Questions

"This Foreign Secretary deserves credit for setting up an independent review into the persecution of Christians worldwide, but will he ensure that a lasting legacy is achieved, whatever the outcome of that review, by ensuring that diplomats who are sent to countries where persecution occurs receive training in religious literacy?..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 04 Dec 2018
Oral Answers to Questions

"Having recently returned from the Holy Land with a cross-party delegation of women MPs—and, indeed, your Chaplain, Mr Speaker—I am very concerned about the human rights abuses that I saw. Does the Minister agree that there is a renewed urgency to find a solution to the conflict in this area?..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 22 May 2018
Christians Overseas

"I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for securing this debate. Actually, there was a bid to the Backbench Business Committee for a wider debate, but unfortunately it was rejected—we should try again. He has just mentioned the Chibok girls. May I, through him, remind colleagues of early-day motion …..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 22 May 2018
Christians Overseas

"It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone—thank you for calling me to speak, given that I have already made an intervention.

I return to what is happening in Nigeria. The 2018 world watch list names Nigeria as the country with the largest number of Christians who …..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 25 Apr 2018
Internally Displaced People

"I beg to move,

That this House has considered a strategy for internally displaced people.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies, and I thank the Speaker’s Office for granting this debate. I am particularly grateful to my colleagues for giving up time on such a …..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 25 Apr 2018
Internally Displaced People

"I suspect that the hon. Gentleman’s point will be made over and over again. One of the long-standing principles of international development is that, as far as possible, assistance should be given in the region so that people can remain in the region and rebuild war-torn places. However, when it …..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 25 Apr 2018
Internally Displaced People

"The hon. Gentleman makes a poignant point. I will never forget, during the war in Afghanistan, going to see internally displaced people and those who had fled just over the border into the federally administered tribal areas, sometimes to completely unofficial camps. Some were carried on the backs of their …..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 25 Apr 2018
Internally Displaced People

"I thank the Minister and all hon. Members. We are all on the same page. We have sounded the alarm today. The media focus definitely does not get the plight of such large numbers and the growing problems presented. My last experience of a high-level panel was that it gave …..."
Caroline Spelman - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Mar 2018
Future of the Commonwealth

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) on securing the debate. We are on the eve not only of CHOGM—for the first time in 30 years it will be held in this country—but of the …..."
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Written Question
Kazakhstan: Religious Freedom
Tuesday 23rd January 2018

Asked by: Caroline Spelman (Conservative - Meriden)

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 Kazakhstan; and what steps the Government is taking to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief in that country.

Answered by Alan Duncan

Kazakhstan has a relatively tolerant environment and constitutionally does not single out or allow preference for any particular religion.

Groups such as the Ahmadiyya and Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced some problems with the Kazakh authorities over registration and taxation issues. A recent draft law on religious activity has imposed a further regulatory burden on religious organisations.

During my visit to Kazakhstan in August 2017 I encouraged respect for human rights, and publicly addressed a Kazakh audience on the importance of human rights and equality of all citizens.