Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rights to freedom of religion or belief, and of association and assembly, in Armenia; and what representations they have made to the government of Armenia in this regard in recent months.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government remains firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, as well as the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, globally. Upholding international human rights is essential to ensure everyone can enjoy these freedoms without fear or discrimination. The UK raised human rights issues during Armenia's recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council on 1 May, where a number of recommendations were made.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent arrests of actual or perceived opposition leaders in Armenia, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, on allegations of plotting terrorist acts to seize power.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK is monitoring the recent arrests of opposition figures in Armenia, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. It is important that due process is allowed to take its course, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly under the law and that judicial proceedings remain transparent and impartial. The UK Government remains firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief globally.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Syria to ensure that those responsible for torture and other human rights violations against survivors of Syria’s detention systems are properly investigated and that perpetrators are held accountable.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has long condemned the gross human rights violations committed by the Assad regime, including those in Syria's detention systems. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons. We have urged the Syrian Government to engage collaboratively with civil societies and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus on 5 July, he raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support.