Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role the troika of UK, US and Norway has had in Sudan’s constitutional settlement.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chinese authorities on the status of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong; and obligations the Government has to monitor the implementation of the principles established in that Declaration.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
We believe that meaningful political dialogue, taken forward by Hong Kong under its high degree of autonomy, is the best way to resolve the current impasse. It is important that the basic freedoms enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration are maintained.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration is a legally binding treaty, registered with the UN, that remains in force. The UK, as a co-signatory, has an obligation to monitor its implementation closely, and we are committed to doing so.
The Prime Minister discussed developments in Hong Kong with other leaders at the recent G7 Summit. In his discussion with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 31 July, the Foreign Secretary raised Hong Kong, including the importance of upholding the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework, which is set out in the Joint Declaration.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Indonesian counterpart on ending the violence in Papua and West Papua.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The UK fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia, including Papua. Within this framework we support the efforts of the authorities and civil society to address the needs and aspirations of the Papuan people.
In August 2019, I attended the Pacific Island Forum in the UK’s capacity as Dialogue Partner (an observer). The UK notes the communique issued at the Pacific Island Forum but we have no plans to respond to it. We regard Papua and West Papua provinces as being part of Indonesia and consider dialogue on territorial issues in Indonesia to be a matter for the Indonesian people.
UK Officials at the Embassy in Jakarta, including the Ambassador, visit Papua regularly. Our Officials also press the Indonesian authorities to address legitimate human rights concerns. This includes upholding the right of all citizens to peacefully protest, and ensuring the sustainable and equitable development of the province through political dialogue.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on behalf of (a) British subjects and (b) people with joint British-Chinese nationality on protecting them from the civil unrest in Hong Kong.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The Foreign Secretary raised the situation in Hong Kong with Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi on 31 July, during which he discussed the importance of upholding the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework.
In respect of British Nationals, we keep travel advice under constant review to ensure it reflects our assessment of risk to British nationals and includes information on the most relevant issues for British nationals travelling or living abroad. We encourage British people to read our travel advice to help them make informed decisions.
In respect of BN(O)s, we maintain that the best solution for all the people of Hong Kong, including the BN(O) passport holders that live there, is full respect for the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Joint Declaration.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions has he had with his Israeli counterpart on (a) the presence of Abdul Wahid from Darfur residing in Israel and (b) the objective of peace-building in Jebba Marra mountains.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities on this issue.The UK continues to support peace in Darfur. We encourage all sides to engage in constructive dialogue to find a fair, comprehensive and sustainable solution for all people in Darfur and Sudan.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the demolition of Palestinian homes; and if he will bring the demolitions to the attention of (a) the Security Council and (b) the UN.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I raised our deep concerns over the continued demolitions by Israel of Palestinian homes to the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 24 July. The day before, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) had raised the demolitions in the district of Wadi al Hummus at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East, reiterating our concerns.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in negotiations to find a peaceful outcome to the situation in Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The UK welcomes the Constitutional Declaration agreed by the Transitional Military Council and the Forces of Freedom and Change in Sudan, which sets out the plan for transition to civilian-led government. We congratulate Dr. Abdalla Hamdok on his appointment as Prime Minister of Sudan and commend his commitment to freedom, peace and justice. The UK also commends the role of the African Union and Ethiopia in their efforts to support the mediation that has helped to deliver this agreement. We will support the newly-appointed civilian-led government and will continue to engage all sides and international partners to help deliver a coordinated international response and package of practical support that maintains pressure on delivering the transition agreement as well as long-term political and economic reform.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on trends in the level of Tazir laws in Iran in relation to the (a) arbitrary punishment, (b) imprisonment and (c) internal exile of members of the Baha’i community in that country; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We are aware of reports about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority groups face. We support the assessment of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights that discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran is sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition and the absence of other legal protections for adherents of this faith. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the evidential basis was for the downgrading of the impact of persecution of Christians in the Middle East between the the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians and (a) Interim and (b) Final Report.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This is an independent Review. As the Foreign Secretary has stated, the findings of the report make for harrowing reading and we are concerned about the situation for all Christians, including those in the Middle East. The report states that further evidence will be published and will be available incrementally from 15 July on the Review's website.
Asked by: David Drew (Labour (Co-op) - Stroud)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he has taken with the Nigerian Government to help prevent the alleged funding of supply of weapons to terrorist groups by the oil industry in that country.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
We are not aware of any evidence to corroborate the cited allegations against oil companies in Nigeria. Militants, pirates and criminals are active across the Niger Delta and their access to weapons is of real concern. The British Government regularly discusses insecurity in the Delta with a range of State and Federal government bodies, who share our concern. We also remain committed to supporting Nigeria in dealing with the threats posed by terrorist groups in the North East of Nigeria.