Asked by: Diane Abbott (Independent - Hackney North and Stoke Newington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what offers were made to the government of Burma of expert help with the investigation of the rape and murder of two ethnic Kachin teachers on 20 January 2015.
Answered by Lord Swire
We have raised our concerns about the incident with the Burmese government, and have urged a rapid investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. We will be closely monitoring the outcome of this investigation.
Asked by: Diane Abbott (Independent - Hackney North and Stoke Newington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 6 November 2014, Official Report, column 1034, on re-opening the British embassy in Tehran, what recent progress he has made on consular and embassy arrangements in Iran.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
As I set out in the House on 6 November 2014, the Government remains committed to reopening the British Embassy in Tehran once we have resolved the outstanding steps required to bring the Embassy back to a functional level and concluded arrangements for re-establishing a visa service in Tehran. We are in ongoing discussion with the Iranian government to identify solutions on both issues.
Asked by: Diane Abbott (Independent - Hackney North and Stoke Newington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Nigerian government on reports of homophobic vigilantism in Kebbi State.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are concerned by the recent reports of homophobic vigilantism in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Our High Commission in Abuja is seeking further information from contacts on the ground. The UK opposes any form of discrimination or persecution on the grounds of sexual orientation and any form of legislation that criminalises people on the basis of their sexuality.Asked by: Diane Abbott (Independent - Hackney North and Stoke Newington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has held with his Ugandan counterpart on renewed attempts by lawmakers to fast track anti-LGBT legislation through the Ugandan parliament; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Duddridge
We welcomed the decision of the Ugandan Constitutional Court in August to annul the Anti-Homosexuality Act and we oppose attempts to reintroduce it. We will continue to raise our concerns with all levels of the Ugandan Government, including with the President, about any legislation that could lead to persecution and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.