Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of reports of the arrest of four Baha'i leaders in Iran on 1 May 2023.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK unequivocally condemns the persecution of religious minorities in Iran. We are appalled by reports of the regime's increased detentions of Baha'is, as well as expropriation of land and destruction of homes of the Baha'i community. On 20 December 2022, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), Fiona Bruce, expressed the UK's condemnation of Iran's imprisonment of Baha'i leaders. We raise FoRB and wider human rights issues with the regime at all appropriate opportunities, and we continue to work closely with our international partners to hold Iran to account for its dire human rights record.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made representations to the Iranian authorities on the loss of contact between Shadi Shahidzadeh and her family since her arrest.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK unequivocally condemns the persecution of religious minorities in Iran. We are appalled by reports of the regime's increased detentions of Baha'is, as well as expropriation of land and destruction of homes of the Baha'i community. We recognise the specific risks Baha'i individuals face in Iran, including false accusations of links to foreign governments. We therefore weigh our actions very carefully, noting that establishing a link to the UK could put people at further risk. We stand up for the Baha'i community and other oppressed minorities in Iran by raising these and wider human rights issues with the regime at all appropriate opportunities, and we work closely with our international partners to hold Iran to account for its dire human rights record.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the consequences for his policies of the recent raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As The Foreign Secretary said in his statement on 7 April, the UK condemns Israeli police violence at the Al Aqsa Mosque. When Israeli security forces conduct operations, they must ensure they are proportionate and in accordance with international law. The UK is a strong supporter of freedom of religion or belief and calls for places of worship to be respected. We continue to value Jordan's important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem. As the subsequent rocket fire from Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza shows, incidents such as those at Al Aqsa can be the trigger for a cycle of violence.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she expects eVisas to be restored for UK citizens visiting India.
Answered by Vicky Ford
We regularly raise our concerns regarding our exclusion from the list of countries eligible for e-visas with the Government of India (GoI). Most recently, the Foreign Secretary raised this matter with her Indian counterpart on 31 March during her visit to India. It is for the GoI to determine the types and validity of the visas it offers. British nationals can continue to use the GoI's regular/paper visa application services for all visa categories. However, we will continue to work closely with the GoI on this issue and update the India Travel Advice with the latest information on any changes to India's visa rules.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure the protection of human rights defenders imprisoned and at risk from covid-19, throughout the world.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK strongly supports human rights defenders worldwide to enable them to carry out their work safely and without fear. We regularly assess how we can enhance our ability to make a positive difference, including in the context of the increased risks posed by the Covid-19 outbreak.
In July 2019, the UK set out its ongoing dedication to support and protect human right defenders in the document "UK Support for Human Rights Defenders". The publication makes clear that our diplomatic network will work with and alongside Non Governmental Organisation representatives and human rights defenders to address the challenges they face. This includes human rights defenders who are detained, on trial or imprisoned.
On 4 June 2020, the UK joined human rights Ambassadors from six other European nations to issue a statement highlighting the importance of ensuring a safe enabling environment for human rights defenders. The statement made clear that states have a responsibility to ensure that any emergency powers in place to combat Covid-19 are not used as tools to repress civil society, marginal groups or populations as a whole.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he is having with his Ugandan counterpart on the home imprisonment of presidential candidate, Bobby Wine.
Answered by James Duddridge
I [Minister Duddridge] tweeted on 19 January about the treatment of Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, and our High Commissioner in Kampala pressed the Ugandan authorities to end these unacceptable restrictions on his liberty. I [Minister Duddridge] welcome the High Court of Uganda's decision of 25 January that the detention of Kyagulanyi was unconstitutional and unlawful and that these restrictions have been lifted. The British High Commissioner in Kampala continues to meet political actors from all parties and met Kyagulanyi on 27 January. They discussed the political situation in Uganda, the restrictions to political freedoms before and after the elections and the electoral process. The High Commissioner has urged all parties to reject violence, engage in peaceful dialogue and follow due process to address any electoral irregularities. As a long-standing partner to Uganda, and a steadfast advocate for Ugandan democracy, the UK will continue to follow post-election developments closely.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to work with the US administration improve support for (a) women’s health and (b) the work of sexual reproductive rights organisations.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK is a proud champion of sexual and reproductive health and rights. We look forward to working with the US government on this shared priority that saves lives and empowers women and girls around the world to claim their rights. This year the UK will use its G7 Presidency to spearhead international action on gender equality.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what documentation British citizens will require to qualify for a travel exemption to countries that have banned travel from the UK as a result of the emergence of the VUI-202012/01 covid-19 variant.
Answered by Nigel Adams
International travel is increasingly restricted in the UK. Different rules apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For example, in England you must not leave home including to travel abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so, such as for essential work purposes. British nationals, who are intending to travel on the basis of a legally permitted reason, should check and monitor FCDO travel advice for the country they are planning travel to, including local restrictions. Travel Advice will be updated as soon as possible when there are changes to entry restrictions overseas, however, these are sometimes implemented with little prior warning.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia on the alleged inhumane treatment of African and other migrants in Saudi Arabian detention centres.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We are concerned by reports of conditions in migrant detention centres. I raised our concerns on migrant detention centres with the Saudi Ambassador to the UK on 16 November. We are monitoring the situation closely, as we always do on human rights issues.
Asked by: Taiwo Owatemi (Labour - Coventry North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps the UK Embassy in Poland is taking to help support human rights defenders in that country.
Answered by Wendy Morton
Our Embassy in Warsaw actively promotes human rights and helps prevent discrimination. It works closely with human rights defenders, including on media freedom, LGBT rights and freedom of religion or belief. The Embassy has established itself as one of the diplomatic missions in Warsaw that is most active on the LGBT agenda. During last year's Pride season, it brought the diplomatic community in Warsaw together to endorse a joint letter to the Polish Prime Minister expressing support for LGBT equality and respect for human rights. It works with NGOs such as the Campaign Against Homophobia and Polish Society for Anti-Discrimination Law on projects to improve the situation of LGBT people. The British Ambassador in Warsaw regularly meets Dr Adam Bodnar, Poland's Human Rights Commissioner; we will continue to work with NGOs through the Embassy and through international organisations, including the UN, OSCE, and the Council of Europe, to promote tolerance and non-discrimination.