Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
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 India on Kashmir; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are in regular contact with the Indian Government regarding the situation in Kashmir. The Foreign Secretary most recently spoke about Kashmir with India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on 20 April. Our longstanding position is that it is for India and Pakistan to identify a lasting, political resolution that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to mediate or prescribe a solution.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
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 internet communication between UK citizens with friends and family in Indian-administered Kashmir during the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are in regular contact with the Indian Government regarding the situation in Kashmir. The Foreign Secretary most recently spoke about Kashmir with Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar on 20 April. We remain concerned about ongoing restrictions on internet services in India-administered Kashmir and call for these to be lifted as soon as possible.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affair, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China 2019 survey findings on intimidation and harassment of journalists in China.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are deeply concerned by the credible findings of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China's Annual Report. On 2 March, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad publicly set out his concerns that more foreign journalists in China are facing visa restrictions, and more are being harassed, intimidated and monitored by the authorities.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
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 implications for his policies on international human rights of (a) recent protests against and (b) allegations of mistreatment of people arrested under the Government of India's Citizenship Amendment Act.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India are following reports on the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens, as well as the Government of India's response. We raise our concerns with the Government of India where appropriate. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon discussed the Government of India's intent with the CAA, and public response to the legislation, with India's Minister of State for External Affairs on 19 December 2019. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials also raised the issue with the High Commission of India in London on 14 January.
India has a proud history of inclusive government and religious tolerance. Post-election, Prime Minister Modi promised to continue this under the guiding principles of "together with all, development for all, trust of all". We trust the Government of India will provide reassurances to its citizens who are expressing concern about the impact this legislation may have. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to promote (a) human rights and (b) secular government throughout the world.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
The UK is committed to protecting and promoting human rights throughout the world through both bilateral and multilateral engagement, by working with and supporting human rights defenders, who play an essential role in upholding and promoting respect for human rights, democratic freedoms and civil society. We regularly raise concerns about countries that do not comply with their human rights obligations at the UN Human Rights Council, the Council of Europe and other multilateral fora; the UK has provided recommendations at every country's Universal Periodic Review since it began in 2008.
Additionally, we work to support democracies across the globe, whether secular or otherwise, as the system that best allows for societies that are more secure, more prosperous, and better equipped to meet the needs of their people. Effective democracy allows people to discuss and debate issues freely, to challenge their governments and to make informed decisions. Through our work with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and others, the UK works to strengthen democracy and to create inclusive, accountable and transparent democratic systems across the globe.