Lord Hannan of Kingsclere

The UK strongly condemns the ongoing repression against civil society and members of the opposition in Venezuela. Over 1900 Venezuelans remain arbitrarily detained, including Jesus Armas whose whereabouts remain unknown. The UK has repeatedly called for human rights to be protected and for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, most recently through a UK statement at the Human Rights Council on 13 December. The UK was also party to the G7 Foreign Ministers' statements of 24 September and 26 November, calling on Venezuelan representatives to publish the election results in full and calling for all unjustly detained political prisoners to be released.

Any amendment to Pakistan's constitution is a matter for Pakistan. An independent judiciary able to check and balance other state organs is a critical element of a functioning democracy.

The Foreign Secretary met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on 4 September and 24 October to discuss a range of key issues, including Pakistan's domestic political situation. We have consistently urged the Pakistani authorities to demonstrate their democratic credentials by acting in line with their international obligations and with respect for the fundamental freedoms of all its citizens, including the right to a fair trial, due process and humane detention.