Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Department for Exiting the European Union on the contents of the White Paper entitled The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union, Cm 9417, published in February 2017.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) is the lead department supporting the Prime Minister on such matters. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and other departments, are working closely with DExEU on a wide range of issues to prepare for the UK's Exit from the EU.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the government of Iran on the imprisonment of Kamal Foroughi.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) raised Mr Foroughi’s case with Iranian President Rouhani in person on 20 September, and followed up by letter on 3 October. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson) raised Mr Foroughi’s case with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif on 22 September. We remain very concerned for Mr Foroughi’s health and have repeatedly raised this with the Iranian authorities, urging them to provide regular medical assistance and access to a lawyer. We will continue to raise Mr Foroughi’s case with the Iranian Government at every available opportunity, seeking his release on medical grounds.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had at the UN on implementation of Security Council Resolution 47 on Kashmir.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The United Kingdom does not intend to support an international conference or a plebiscite on Kashmir in line with UN Security Council Resolution 47. I have not had any discussions at the UN on this issue. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
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 Indian government on the killing of protestors in the Kashmir Valley in July 2016.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
I remain very concerned by reports of violence and offer my condolences to the victims and their families. The United Kingdom abides by its commitments under international law and expects all countries to comply with their international legal obligations. Our High Commission in Delhi is monitoring the situation closely and we have changed our travel advice. The long standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Commonwealth Secretary General on the situation in Kashmir.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
I have not discussed Kashmir with the Commonwealth Secretary General. The long standing position of the United Kingdom is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations on anti-Muslim violence in India to the government of that country.
Answered by Lord Swire
The Prime Minister, my right hon Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) discussed religious tolerance in India with Prime Minister Modi on 12 November. Mr Modi reassured the British government that he remained committed to diversity and fundamental freedoms. Mr Modi was clear in his commitment to and respect for India’s core values of tolerance and fundamental rights, as well as reaffirming the importance of social harmony and inclusive development. I also discussed concerns about religious tolerance with the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh on 5 November.Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what projects his Department is supporting to promote free media in Burma.
Answered by Lord Swire
On 7 May, the British Ambassador hosted a reception for members of the Burmese media to mark World Press Freedom Day. He welcomed widening freedom for media to operate in the country in the past few years, but expressed our serious concerns over the detention of several journalists in recent months.
The UK also funds several projects to support the development and professionalisation of the media in Burma. For example, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is funding a project that promotes responsible media coverage of religious freedom and conflict. Through the Department for International Development we provide a global grant to BBC Media Action that supports work in Burma, such as training for local journalists and the launch of new programmes featuring opposition voices and the views of ordinary Burmese people. Through the British Council, we have funded workshops for photographers and filmmakers, and supported weekly radio broadcasts reaching millions of listeners across the country.
Through the EU, the UK also funds two projects providing training and capacity building for members of the Burmese media, especially those reporting on the peace process and democratic reforms. Supported activities include roundtable discussions between media, government and civil society; training of young journalists; courses in investigative reporting; and training for civil society organisations.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether HM Ambassador to Burma has met the families of political prisoners in Burma; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Swire
Our Ambassador has met the families of several political prisoners. The Ambassador and other Embassy officials also regularly meet former political prisoners themselves. They remain in close contact with the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) and other civil society networks in support of their work, reviewing the cases of political prisoners and advocating for the release of those that have been unjustly convicted.
We welcome the release of thousands of political prisoners under the current Burmese government. However, we remain very concerned by the continued arrests, detentions and sentencing of political activists. During my visit in January, I urged continued dialogue between the government, political parties, ethnic armed groups and civil society to resolve remaining cases as a matter of urgency.