Every parliamentary written question tabled by Chris Law this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 109 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the US Government on closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.
That is a matter for the US and the nations of those detained at the facility, which does not include the UK.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to publicly support a global initiative to stop the trade of goods used for torture during the first committee stage of the UN General Assembly in 2025.
The UK Government remains committed to preventing torture and tackling impunity for those who torture others. It is essential for safeguarding our security and integral to a fair legal system and the rule of law.At the UN General Assembly, we will continue to work with allies to encourage all states to uphold their international human rights obligations. As a member of the Global Alliance on Torture Free Trade, the UK supports the initiative to stop the trade of goods used for capital punishment and torture. Goods are subject to export restrictions if they can be used for torture, capital punishment, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Export licence applications are considered against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. The Government will not grant a licence for items where we determine there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate internal repression.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the creation of Israeli settlements inside occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settler organisation Ateret Cohanim.
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 3 September to Question 71442.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on private sector investment by UK companies in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Government is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth and supporting British businesses overseas. During my visit to Baku on the 24 and 25 August, I discussed economic cooperation and commercial opportunities across Azerbaijan with President Aliyev, Foreign Minister Bayramov, and UK businesses operating in Azerbaijan. This Government's growth mission places an emphasis on unlocking opportunities for UK companies in emerging markets, including the South Caucasus. We continue to encourage responsible investment that supports growth in alignment with regional stability and international legal obligations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing an arms embargo on Azerbaijan until it complies with international legal obligations relating to (a) Nagorno-Karabakh and (b) the right of return for Armenians.
The UK warmly welcomes the recent progress made by Armenia and Azerbaijan towards peace, as summarised by the joint declaration made by their respective leaders in Washington on 8 August. I visited Baku and Yerevan on 25 and 26 August respectively and met with President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan to discuss our support for the recent agreements and to upgrade our relationships to strategic partnerships with both countries. Export licence applications for Azerbaijan are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, and licences are not issued where doing so would be inconsistent with these criteria, and wider policies. We continue to keep our wider policies under review.We have called for Azerbaijan to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians who wish to return to Karabakh.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure safe passage for students in Gaza due to commence university programmes in the UK.
We are working urgently to support Chevening Scholars in Gaza who have offers from British universities to leave and take up their places in the UK. The Government is working through options on how best to support other students with scholarships to take up their places at UK universities this academic year, in the context of an extremely challenging situation on the ground in Gaza.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department supports the right of return for Armenians ethnically cleansed from Nagorno-Karabakh.
It is essential that Azerbaijan makes its recovered territories safe for the return of its own internally displaced population and provides clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians who wish to return. To this end, we strongly welcome the initialling of a peace agreement and the signing of a joint declaration by President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan on 8 August in Washington, and commend President Trump's role in securing this breakthrough. The UK stands ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan in securing long-term peace, stability, and prosperity for the South Caucasus - I discussed how the UK could do this in practical terms with both leaders during my visit to Baku and Yerevan on 25 and 26 August respectively.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Chinese counterpart on the potential merits of negotiating an agreement between China and Tibet.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on the protection of Christian minorities.
We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on disinformation on Tibet.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is taking action to limit the impact of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which includes disinformation and propaganda, and working with international partners to forge a collective counter FIMI agenda.We continue to encourage freedoms for religious and cultural expression in Tibet and across China.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Syrian counterpart on ensuring a (a) comprehensive and (b) unbiased transitional process.
I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus in July, he also raised this. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons, and have urged them to engage collaboratively with civil society and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of sectarian violence on Christian minorities in Syria.
We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on (a) whether Tibet is a part of China and (b) whether Tibet has been part of China since ancient times.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart on protecting the (a) cultural, (b) religious and (c) linguistic identity of the Tibetan people.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is taking action to limit the impact of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which includes disinformation and propaganda, and working with international partners to forge a collective counter FIMI agenda.We continue to encourage freedoms for religious and cultural expression in Tibet and across China.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take diplomatic steps to ensure that the dispute between Tibet and China is resolved in accordance with international law.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle sectarian conflict between Syria's ethnic groups.
We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect the (a) rights and (b) safety of (i) Armenian and (ii) Arab Orthodox Christian communities in Syria.
We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on (a) preventing human rights violations, (b) protecting people and (c) ending sectarian violence in that country.
We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to encourage China to (a) ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and (b) uphold commitments under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
As UN member states, both the UK and China have a responsibility to uphold core pillars of the UN, including universal human rights. We continue to encourage China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to uphold the various international obligations they have freely signed up to.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. For example, joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department officially recognises the Tibetan people as having a distinct (a) religious, (b) cultural, (c) linguistic and (d) historical identity.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet, and the erosion of Tibetan language, history and culture.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.