Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians are being prioritised; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the Prime Minister’s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK’s support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.
Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role his Department is playing in promoting religious diversity in Iraq.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The UK is committed to promoting and protecting the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief across Iraq. The importance of religious tolerance and diversity was a major subject of discussion during the visit of Iraqi President, Barham Salih, to the UK in June, and in my meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim on 25 June. To support the return of displaced members of Iraq's Christian communities, we have committed £23.15 million to the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilisation which is helping Iraq to rebuild territory, including predominately Christian areas, liberated from Daesh.
Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle religious oppression against (a) Christians and (b) other religious groups in (i) Burkina Faso and (ii) other parts of West Africa.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The UK is deeply concerned about the security deterioration in Burkina Faso and the Sahel, including attacks in recent months against religious minorities. We are committed to working with all partners, including Burkina Faso and other countries in West Africa, to protect freedom of religion and belief for all. As the UK increases its work to encourage stability and prosperity in the Sahel, we will continue being vocal champions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
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 his Indian counterpart on the time taken to conduct the trial of Jagtar Singh Johal in that country.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We regularly make representations on Mr Johal's behalf, including raising his right to a fair trial. Our High Commissioner in India raised this with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK most recently on 10 June.
Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) reassurances about the health of Jagtar Singh Johal and (b) information on when he will (i) stand trial or (ii) be released his Department has received from the Indian Government.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
Our consular staff in India visit Mr Johal regularly to monitor his welfare and ensure he is able to access his legal representatives. They last visited Mr Johal on 27 June. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial processes of other countries any more than we would accept interference in our own judicial system. However, we can consider approaching the authorities if there are concerns that a trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases. In our representations to the Government of India on Mr Johal's behalf, we have raised his right to a fair trial.
Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress he has made with his Indian counterpart on securing the release of Jagtar Singh Johal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We make frequent representations on Mr Johal's behalf. Most recently, the British High Commissioner to India raised Mr Johal's case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 10 May, and with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK on 10 June. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific also raised Mr Johal's case with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 12 March. The Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Asia and the Pacific met with Mr Johal's family and their MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes on 24 April. Our consular staff in India continue to regularly visit Mr Johal.
Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to support peace and stability in Iraq.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I visited Iraq last month and held useful discussions with leaders from the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Governemnt. We discussed how the UK and Iraq could cooperate together to promote peace and stability in Iraq. I announced a further £30 million in funding to help rebuild Iraq and reinvigorate the economy.