Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the state of emergency declared in Ecuador on 8 January, what assessment they have made of the political and security situation in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are closely monitoring the security situation in Ecuador. The UK stands with Ecuador in their fight against organised crime, not least because of the links to the international trade in cocaine. We have been working closely with Ecuadorean partners since 2012 on tackling international organised crime, and we will continue to explore how we can help further. We are committed to supporting Ecuador in ensuring that the rule of law prevails.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has received recent representations on the UK’s membership of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK has regular conversations about our position in international organisations.
The UK has a longstanding tradition of ensuring rights and liberties are protected and abiding by the rule of law, both domestically and internationally. The Government remains committed to that position and will ensure that our laws continue to be fit for purpose and work for the people of the UK.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the findings of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Guatemala 2023 with regard to the conduct of the general election on 25 June 2023 and presidential run-off on 20 August 2023, and (2) the political and security situation in Guatemala, following efforts to discredit the election of President Bernardo Arévalo, who took office on 14 January.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK welcomes the inauguration of Guatemalan President Arévalo. It is positive that the choice of the people of Guatemala has been respected. The Rt Hon. Lord Benyon attended the inauguration on 14 January. Minister Rutley and His Majesty the King have both issued statements of support for the President confirming that we will stand with those seeking to safeguard democracy and rule of law.
The British Embassy in Guatemala City continues to monitor the political and security situation closely. The UK shares concerns with the EU regarding the conduct of the electoral process prior to election day but agrees with the EU and OAS statements that there were no elements within the voting or counting processes which cast doubt on the electoral results presented by the Guatemalan Electoral Tribunal.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the conformity of adding Georgia to the list of Safe States with the duties laid out in section 80AA(4) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 on LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
In order to inform ministerial decision making on whether to add India and Georgia to the list of Safe States in section 80AA of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (NIAA 2002), we made an assessment of the general situation in both countries, using evidence from a wide range of reliable sources in order to do so. This was in line with the requirements at section 80AA(3) and 80AA(4) of the NIAA 2002 (as inserted by section 59(3)(3) and 59(3)(4) of the Illegal Migration Act 2023).
Through considering country information and each country’s respect for the rule of law and human rights, we assessed that both countries met the criteria. Further information on the situation for LGBT people in Georgia and India is contained within our published Country Policy and Information Notes, available on Gov.Uk.
Asked by: Angela Crawley (Scottish National Party - Lanark and Hamilton East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the conformity of adding India to the list of Safe States with the duties laid out in section 80AA(4) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 on LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
In order to inform ministerial decision making on whether to add India and Georgia to the list of Safe States in section 80AA of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (NIAA 2002), we made an assessment of the general situation in both countries, using evidence from a wide range of reliable sources in order to do so. This was in line with the requirements at section 80AA(3) and 80AA(4) of the NIAA 2002 (as inserted by section 59(3)(3) and 59(3)(4) of the Illegal Migration Act 2023).
Through considering country information and each country’s respect for the rule of law and human rights, we assessed that both countries met the criteria. Further information on the situation for LGBT people in Georgia and India is contained within our published Country Policy and Information Notes, available on Gov.Uk.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal by the Victims Commissioner to provide payments to the relatives of those killed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government fully recognises the terrible loss of those bereaved through Troubles-related incidents. Support for victims is a devolved matter for consideration by a restored Northern Ireland Executive. It is right that a restored Executive considers how best to acknowledge and support people who have lost loved ones during the Troubles.
This Government has always made clear, in successive manifestos, that it will never accept any moral equivalence between those who defended democracy and the rule of law in Northern Ireland, and those who sought to destroy both.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the proposal by the Victims Commissioner to issue payments to the relatives of those killed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, whether the scheme will apply in respect of paramilitaries who were killed.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Support for victims is a devolved matter for consideration by a restored Northern Ireland Executive.
This Government has always made clear, in successive manifestos, that it will never accept any moral equivalence between those who defended democracy and the rule of law in Northern Ireland, and those who sought to destroy both.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Bangladesh.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Bangladesh is a Human Rights Priority Country for the UK. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister for South Asia, raised human rights with Prime Minister Hasina when they met in October. Our statement following the recent election in Bangladesh reiterated our position on human rights and the rule of law, which are essential elements of the democratic process. We regularly engage with the Government of Bangladesh on the treatment of those in detention and on the integrity and independence of the judicial process. We will continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh to address human rights concerns, and will support efforts towards a stable, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he is taking steps together with international partners to help ensure that the Bangladeshi government is held accountable for (a) its human rights record and (b) the conduct of the national election of 8 January 2024.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Bangladesh is a Human Rights Priority Country for the UK. We regularly raise human rights issues with the Government of Bangladesh bilaterally and in concert with our international partners. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister for South Asia, raised human rights with Prime Minister Hasina when they met in October. Respect for human rights, rule of law and due process are essential elements of the democratic process. These standards were not consistently met during the election period. We continue to work with likeminded partners to encourage all political parties to address their differences and find a common way forward in the interests of the people of Bangladesh. The UK government will continue to advocate for democracy with the Government of Bangladesh.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps he is taking to encourage the Indian Government to co-operate with the Canadian investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minster spoke to Prime Minister Trudeau on 6 October 2023 regarding the serious allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament. All countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. It is important Canada's investigation runs its course, with the perpetrators brought to justice. We have raised this matter with the Government of India at all levels, including through the Foreign Secretary, and we encourage them to cooperate fully with the investigation.