Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations the Government has made to the Government of Qatar on human rights and the rights of LGBT people in that country.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK's close relationship with Qatar means that we can raise a range of human rights issues with them. I am pleased that at the UN General Assembly last year, Qatar signed up to the Prime Minister's Call to Action to end modern slavery. This year, both the Rt Hon Lord Ahmad and I met with Qatar's National Human Rights committee to discuss a range of human rights issues affecting Qataris and people living in Qatar. In addition, in March I met the Secretary General of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of the World Cup in 2022 and discussed the measures taken to improve both the living and working conditions of construction workers. Since then, the International Labour Organisation, the ILO, has opened an office in Doha to work with Qatar on migrant workers' rights. The British Government stands ready to assist and support Qatar's continued efforts to implement the ILO's recommended reforms.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the oral Answer of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what steps his Department has taken to use 2011 census classifications, including on Gypsies and Travellers, to audit racial disparities in public service outcomes.
Answered by Alan Duncan
I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by the Right Honourable member for Ashford in response to PQ3079.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of withdrawal from the EU on the UK's role in global affairs.
Answered by Lord Hammond of Runnymede
The UK referendum made a decision to leave the EU, not to turn our backs on Europe, let alone the world. Throughout the referendum debate, campaigns on both sides rejected any notion that a “Leave” vote would signal any kind of retreat from the world. The UK will remain a major player, fully engaged in world affairs, including through our membership of multilateral organisations. We are a Permanent member of the UN Security Council; the second largest contributor to NATO; a key member of the Commonwealth, of the G7 and the G20. We also remain committed to renewing the nuclear deterrent. Our voice will always be prominent – but we will perhaps have to work a little bit harder to ensure that our voice carries the same authority it did before.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Romanian government on the treatment of the Roma community in that country.
Answered by David Lidington
We closely follow the treatment of the Roma Community in Romania. The UK condemns discrimination in all its forms and has on numerous occasions discussed this issue with the Romanian government. The UK was represented at the Romanian Government's Inter-Ministerial Committee responsible for monitoring the National Strategy for Roma Inclusion on 21 March. On 12 April the British Ambassador to Romania issued a public statement regarding discrimination against the Roma community, following acts of vandalism at the National Centre for Roma Culture's tent at the University Square. We continue to urge the Romanian government to take all necessary measures to ensure that all its citizens can fully enjoy their rights.Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2016 to Question 30739, what information he holds on (a) the legal status of Telahoon Rata and Rev. Hassan Taour and (b) whether their legal team has been granted access to them.
Answered by James Duddridge
Telahoon Rata and Rev Hassan Taour are being held in detention by the National Intelligence and Security Services under powers granted to them by the National Security Act 2010. They have not been granted access to their lawyers.
Our Ambassador in Khartoum met the Minister of Guidance and Religious Endowments and the Sudanese Director of Church Affairs in February and raised the cases of Mr Talahon and Rev. Hassan.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Sudan on behalf of Telahoon Rata and Rev. Hassan Taour, arrested on 13 and 21 December 2015 respectively; and what information his Department holds on their (a) location and (b) physical and mental condition.
Answered by James Duddridge
Our Ambassador in Khartoum met the Minister of Guidance and Religious Endowments and the Sudanese Director of Church Affairs in February and raised the cases of Mr Talahon and Rev. Hassan. Officials from our Embassy in Khartoum are in close contact with their legal team. The legal team have informed us that both men are currently being held at a National Intelligence and Security Service’s facility in Khartoum. Mr Talahon’s family has been able to meet him once while Rev. Hassan has not been granted visitors. Rev. Hassan’s family is particularly concerned about his physical health given his history of stomach ulcers. We will continue to scrutinise these cases closely.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to implement the family test.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office promotes the UK’s interests overseas, supporting our citizens and businesses around the globe. As such, we do not have responsibility for creating domestic policy.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many of his Department's policies have been assessed against the family test; what steps he has taken to publish the outcome of such assessments that have been carried out; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office promotes the UK’s interests overseas, supporting our citizens and businesses around the globe. As such, we do not have responsibility for creating domestic policy.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the Government is offering to families of British people killed or injured during the 2015 Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
No British nationals were killed or injured in the Hajj crush in Mina on 24 September 2015. However, three British nationals died in a separate incident prior to the Hajj when a crane collapsed in the Grand Mosque in Mecca on 11 September. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided consular assistance to all British nationals affected.