Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent information and representations he has received on the forthcoming trial of Iranian diplomat Assadolah Assadi in Belgium on charges of terrorism.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The UK Government is deeply concerned about the plot against a conference in Paris in 2018, and particularly that an Iranian diplomat may be involved with the incident. We are closely monitoring reporting of the trial taking place in Belgium. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not received any recent representations on this issue. While the legal process is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support the (a) granting of observer status to Taiwan at the 89th INTERPOL General Assembly and (b) attendance of Taiwan in that organisation's (i) meetings, (ii) mechanisms and (iii) activities.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK's longstanding policy on Taiwan and international organisations has not changed. The British Government continues to hold the view that the people of Taiwan have a meaningful contribution to make towards global issues such as combatting organised crime. We therefore support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, such as INTERPOL, where there is precedent for their involvement, where they can contribute to the global good and where there is no pre-requisite of nationhood for participation. The UK has not made any representations on Taiwan's observer status at INTERPOL this year but will work with international partners on this issue.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to member states of INTERPOL to (a) grant observer status to Taiwan at the 89th General Assembly of INTERPOL, and (b) enable Taiwan to have access to that organisation's I-24/7 Global Police Communications System and key training programmes.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK's longstanding policy on Taiwan and international organisations has not changed. The British Government continues to hold the view that the people of Taiwan have a meaningful contribution to make towards global issues such as combatting organised crime. We therefore support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, such as INTERPOL, where there is precedent for their involvement, where they can contribute to the global good and where there is no pre-requisite of nationhood for participation. The UK has not made any representations on Taiwan's observer status at INTERPOL this year but will work with international partners on this issue.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to retain the Falkland Islands’ tariff free access to EU markets in relation to meat and fish products following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, in the event that a free trade deal is not secured.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government liaises closely with the Overseas Territories on all aspects of our future relationship with the EU and so understands fully the interests of the Falkland Islands in this regard.
As the Government starts negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the EU, the Government will negotiate on behalf of all the territories for whose international relations it is responsible, including the Falkland Islands, and seek outcomes that support their security and their economies.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has received any reports on recent court appearances by Hamed bin Haydara in Yemen.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We are monitoring the case of Hamed bin Haydara, and we understand the appeal against his death sentence is ongoing. We strongly condemn the death sentence and the continued persecution of the Baha'i in Yemen for their religious beliefs. We meet often with the Baha'i representatives in London who keep us updated on the situation. We call on the parties to the conflict to respect the human rights of all Yemenis.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has plans to make representations to his Iranian counterpart on the freedom of religion or belief for (a) Baha’is and (b) Christians in that country; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mark Field
I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 15 January 2019 (PQ 206031). In addition, at the Human Rights Council in March 2018, the UK strongly supported the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran. We called on Iran to allow the UN Special Rapporteur access to the country so that he can carry out his mandate.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the World Health Organisation on (a) Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly as an observer this year and (b) Taiwan's participation in technical meetings of the World Health Organisation.
Answered by Mark Field
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to support the Department for Health in lobbying for Taiwan’s participation in World Health Organisation (WHO) meetings. Her Majesty's Government is working with likeminded countries to lobby the WHO at official level to issue an invitation to Taiwan to observe the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. The UK continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and where Taiwan can make a valuable contribution. The UK believes the WHA and the related technical meetings of the WHO meet these criteria.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the UK will ratify the Republic of North Macedonia's accession to NATO; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We welcome the signature of the NATO Accession Protocol for Macedonia, which took place on 6 February in Brussels. We will shortly be taking forward the procedure for UK ratification. This will involve laying the Accession Protocol before Parliament for 21 sitting days' scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. Once this process is complete, and provided there are no objections, the UK can proceed to the next stage by depositing its instrument of ratification. I will make a formal written statement to Parliament regarding the new constitutional name - the Republic of North Macedonia.
Asked by: Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
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 progress of recent talks on the future of Cyprus.
Answered by Alan Duncan
There has never been a better opportunity to reunify Cyprus. With continued courage and compromise on both sides, an historic deal is achievable. The UK will continue to support efforts to secure a just and lasting settlement.