Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Turkmenistan on the release from prison of Vepa Matyakubov as a result of the risk of contracting covid-19 in that prison.
Answered by Wendy Morton
We are aware of the case of Vepa Matyakubov, and are concerned by further reports that Turkmenistan has imprisoned a number of conscientious objectors to military service. The FCO, including through our Embassy in Ashgabat, has raised and will continue to raise with the Turkmen authorities the importance of taking steps to protect and respect individuals' rights to exercise freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. Our Embassy in Ashgabat remain in close contact with the Turkmen authorities about COVID-19 prevention measures, and continue to monitor the situation closely.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
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 implications for his policies on tackling modern slavery in the textile industry globally of the UK's commitments under the 2017 UN Call to Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK Government is committed to the eradication of all forms of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide by 2030 as set out in Sustainable Development Goal 8.7. Building on the 2017 Call to Action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, which has now been endorsed by 92 countries, the UK jointly launched the 'Principles to Combat Human Trafficking in Global Supply Chains' with the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand at the UN General Assembly in September 2018. These Principles commit governments to implementing a range of measures that help address modern slavery in global supply chains. The UK is now focused on implementation of the Call to Action and encouraging member states to devise national action plans and deliver on their own commitments. Currently we are working across Government with partners to assess the impact of COVID-19 on modern slavery including in the textile industry.
The UK is the first country to require businesses to report on the steps they have taken to tackle modern slavery in their operations and global supply chains. The landmark 'Transparency in Supply Chains' provision in the Modern Slavery Act requires certain businesses with a turnover of £36m or more to publish annual modern slavery statements and applies to all sectors, including textiles.
In addition, the Department for International Development funds two programmes which seek to tackle modern slavery in the textile industry. The UK's contribution to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery seeks to trial new approaches to tackling modern slavery in the apparel sector in India and Bangladesh, among other sectors. One of the objectives of the Work in Freedom programme is to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to forced labour in the textiles, clothing, leather and footwear industries of South Asia.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
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 facilitate consultation with civil society as part of its Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Integrated Review has been paused given the pressing need to focus on COVID-19. We will return to the Integrated Review when appropriate to do so, ensuring that we engage with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) findings and (b) recommendations in the Bishop of Truro’s Review into the Persecution of Christians Worldwide relating to the persecution of Christians in the northern part of Cyprus.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief, and promoting respect between communities of different religions and those of no religion. The British Government has accepted all the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro's review. Work is ongoing to implement the recommendations in a way that will bring real improvements to the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief. The UK has supported the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in the northern part of Cyprus. This committee was created under the auspices of the United Nations and works to promote and protect the cultural heritage of the island of Cyprus. This includes preservation of religious sites in the north of Cyprus.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
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 Turkish counterpart on freedom of Christian worship in the northern part of Cyprus.
Answered by Wendy Morton
On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary met Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu. The two Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including human rights. We have long encouraged Turkey to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, particularly in the area of freedom of expression. We will continue to engage the Turkish government on these issues and to urge respect for Freedom of Religion or Belief. Defending persecuted Christians, and persecuted individuals of all faiths or beliefs wherever they are based, remains a long standing priority for the British Government.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor the effect of Government funding for Colombia on human rights and the peace process in that country.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The United Kingdom is committed to the implementation of the Peace Accords of 2016, and we remain steadfast in our support of the Colombian authorities as they seek to ensure sustainable peace in Colombia. We are proud to be the penholder on the issue at the United Nations Security Council, and have committed almost £45 million over 5 years through the United Kingdom Conflict Stability and Security Fund for Colombia to support development across conflict-affected regions. As a Human Rights Priority Country, our Embassy in Colombia also provides significant programming to help at-risk human rights defenders and to tackle the legacy of sexual violence from Colombia's decades-long conflict.
The British Government undertakes extensive risk assessments when designing projects in Colombia and deciding which to fund, including any potential negative impact on human rights or the peace process. This includes the OSJA process, which ensures any United Kingdom overseas security and justice assistance (OSJA) work meets our human rights obligations and our values. We continually monitor the effects of our programme work in consultation with colleagues working in Colombia, making a thorough assessment of the impact of all of our projects.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage UK company compliance with UN guiding principles on business and human rights in Columbia.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The United Kingdom is committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. The Government expects United Kingdom companies to comply fully with UN guiding principles on human rights in that country, and the FCO works to support and promote responsible practice by United Kingdom companies internationally.
We regularly call for the prioritisation of a human rights agenda in Colombia, most recently at the UN Security Council on 13 January. The United Kingdom remains committed to continuing our programming to support full compliance with human rights obligations in Colombia.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
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 risk of religious persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Nigeria is a secular state and the right to freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution. Communities of different religions live together peacefully across most of Nigeria. For many decades Nigeria has experienced episodes of serious conflict, including between Muslim and Christian communities. The drivers of violence are complex and rooted in ethnic and religious identities, politics and access to resources.
For more than a decade, Islamic insurgents including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) have caused immense suffering to both Muslim and Christian populations in the North East of the country. The groups seek to undermine the right to freedom of religion by attacking indiscriminately those who do not subscribe to their extremist views. We are appalled by and condemn these attacks, including a recent increase in attacks on Christians in December 2019.
The UK is firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief around the world. We are a strong voice internationally in defence of this fundamental right. We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities, at the highest levels, the importance of protecting civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and human rights for all Nigerians.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
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 risks to Christian communities in Eritrea.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government of Eritrea permits and regulates the practice of three Christian religions: Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran, as well as Sunni Islam. The majority of worshippers from these permitted religions are able to practice their religion freely. I am concerned that those from minority unregistered religions, such as the Pentecostal Church and the Jehovah's Witnesses, face regular persecution and detention without trial, as well some practising permitted religions, who face occasional censorship.
We regularly raise our concerns about human rights in Eritrea with the Government, as my predecessor did with the Eritrean President's senior adviser when she saw him in July 2019. Our Ambassador in Asmara raised arbitrary detentions of members of the Christian community with the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20 May 2019 and with the President's senior adviser on 14 August 2019. At the 41st session of the Human Rights Council in 2019 the UK reiterated calls for Eritrea to respect freedom of religion or belief. Eritrea remains a priority country for the FCO under our annual human rights reporting and we will continue to monitor the situation.
Asked by: Lisa Cameron (Conservative - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
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 risk of religious persecution faced by Christians in Bangladesh.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and promoting respect between communities of different religions and those of no religion. While Bangladesh is a secular people’s republic with formal guarantees of religious freedom, we regularly assess the risk of religious persecution faced by Christians and other groups in Bangladesh, and actively engage with minority communities to understand their concerns. We will continue to monitor this closely and advocate for FoRB as well as other human rights.