Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart to investigate the assertion by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace that between 500 and 600 people could be buried in unmarked graves in the zone of the Hidroituango construction project.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
We are aware of the ongoing investigation by Colombia's Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) into the possibility of unmarked graves in the construction zone of the Hidroituango dam project. It would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of an ongoing investigation by the JEP. The United Kingdom has provided financial and public support to Colombia's transitional justice system since it was set up. We continue to work closely with the Colombian government and civil society on the peace process and related matters.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of instances of UK citizens using a non-UK EU consulate in 2018.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We estimate the number of requests to EU consular services to be very low, as British Nationals can access UK consular assistance remotely.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with other EU member states on ensuring a positive environment for UK citizens wishing to move to an EU country after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
My department, in close coordination with other government departments, continues to engage intensively with EU Member States to support British Nationals living in and travelling to the EU. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has significantly increased the capacity of our Europe network; our Embassies and Consulates are in close and regular contact with their host governments. The UK will seek to agree reciprocal mobility arrangements with the EU. The detail of how these provisions will apply under the future relationship will be for future negotiations with the EU.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on UK citizens living in the EU of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Protecting the rights of British Nationals living in the EU is an absolute priority for the Government. However, in the event of No Deal we cannot protect the rights of British nationals unilaterally. All EU Member States have drafted or enacted legislation on the rights of British Nationals if there is no deal, but the extent to which the measures in place protect citizens' rights vary by Member State. British Nationals resident in the EU can expect their rights and access to services to change over time. The Government will continue to urge the EU and all Member States to reciprocate the UK's generous offer to EU citizens and give British Nationals the certainty they need.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has recently worked with the US Administration on tackling racism globally.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We are not aware of any recent bilateral discussions specifically on tackling racism globally. However, we work closely with the US on a number of important global challenges.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to announce the new ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Government will announce the new Ambassador to the United States in due course and they will be appointed in the normal way. Ambassadors to the United States are appointed by the Prime Minister, on the Foreign Secretary's recommendation, with the approval of Her Majesty The Queen.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much was spent from the public purse on (a) security, (b) accommodation and (c) transport for family members of President Trump during his visit to the UK in June 2019.
Answered by Alan Duncan
As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's transparency programme, the cost of the State Visit to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be published on the gov.uk website before the end of the year.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of people put to death for contravening laws on homosexuality globally in 2018.
Answered by Mark Field
The FCO does not collect statistics for the number of executions carried out worldwide. According to Amnesty International's published figures, which do not include figures for China, at least 690 executions in 20 countries took place in 2018. These do not specify the number of executions carried out for contravening laws on homosexuality.
The UK is committed to the principle of non-discrimination on any grounds, including on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. We directly challenge governments that criminalise homosexuality, at the highest possible level, and we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. We regularly set out our position on the death penalty and defend the rights of LGBT individuals at the Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly Third Committee, and through the Universal Periodic Review process.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the risks to human rights defenders in Colombia.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The situation facing human rights defenders in Colombia is concerning: over the past year they have faced increasing levels of threats, intimidation and killings. We regularly express our concern over this issue to the Colombian government. On 9 May the Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon met with Colombian High Counsellor for Stabilisation, Emilio Archila, and directly raised the issue. Our Embassy in Bogotá funds human rights programmes that help human rights defenders, and we work closely with civil society groups to bring individual cases to the Colombian government’s attention.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of people convicted in Sharia Courts in Brunei since the introduction of those courts.
Answered by Mark Field
The British Government does not record statistics of cases bought before Sharia Courts in Brunei. Sharia Courts have been present in Brunei for decades. Sharia Family law has been used in Brunei alongside the Common Law and predates the Sharia Penal Code. The first phase of the Sharia Penal Code Order was introduced in 2013. Phase III was implemented on 3 April. There have been no convictions in Sharia Courts since 3 April under Phase III of the Sharia Penal Code.