Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the violence on Armenia's border with Azerbaijan on 13 September 2022.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK Government continues to work with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments to encourage them to engage with the appropriate international processes, including talks led by the EU, to secure a sustainable and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and all other related issues. Against the background of renewed hostilities and loss of life, I spoke to Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov on 15 and 17 September respectively to stress the importance of regional stability and negotiations without pre-conditions. His Majesty's Ambassador in Yerevan and Baku have taken similar steps, in close coordination with partners.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Brazilian counterpart on reports of political violence in that country.
Answered by Jesse Norman
We are closely following reports of political violence ahead of Brazil's forthcoming elections, including the investigation into the recent death of the Brazilian Workers' Party official, Marcelo Arruda.
It is crucial that all candidates in these elections in Brazil, and their supporters, respect core democratic principles and electoral processes. Through our Embassy in Brasilia, the UK continues to engage with the Brazilian Government, political parties and civil society organisations on the elections, including on the issues of the right to campaign freely and peacefully, and of security. In addition, the former Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean met with representatives from the Brazilian Workers' Party in London recently where they discussed a broad range of issues, including the importance of free and fair elections in Brazil in October.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Bahraini counterpart on the cases of (a) Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace and (b) Hasan Mushaima.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Officials and ministers have regular discussions with senior Bahraini counterparts on human rights, including most recently during my visit to Bahrain from 2-3 July.
We continue to follow and discuss the cases of Dr Abduljalil al-Singace, Hassan Mushaima and others with the Bahraini Government as well as with the independent oversight bodies. We continue to encourage those with concerns to raise them directly with the appropriate Bahraini oversight body.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on the detainment of Jagtar Singh Johal.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously, and we regularly raise Mr Johal's case directly with the Government of India at official and Ministerial level. The Prime Minister raised Mr Johal's case with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 April as part of a wide-ranging discussion. The Foreign Secretary last raised Mr Johal's case with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on 31 March 2022. Consular staff have attended a number of hearings in Mr Johal's case in an observer capacity, and did so on 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 June. This Government will continue to look to raise our concerns about Mr Johal's case at all appropriate opportunities.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of imposing sanctions on General Shavendra Silva; and whether she has made representations to her US counterpart to request information on General Silva following that country's decision to sanction General Silva in 2020.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is grateful for the submission by the International Truth and Justice Project in relation to General Shavendra Silva. We also note the US decision to designate General Shavendra Silva. We keep all proposals under review and will continue to consider designations globally, guided by the objectives of the human rights sanctions regime and the evidence. However, it is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated in the future, as to do so could reduce their impact.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Spanish counterpart on the level of checks required of UK travellers entering Spain; and what steps she is taking alongside her Spanish counterpart to minimise the number of checks required of UK travellers entering Spain.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Schengen Borders Code and Schengen Visa Code govern the rules for entry and exit in the Schengen Area and the rules on short stays for third country nationals. Schengen States are responsible for implementation of the Schengen rules. The UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU provides for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance with their respective laws. The detail of those arrangements is set by domestic law, reflecting the UK's position as a non-EU Member State. We continue to monitor the implementation of border checks and raise any issues with the Spanish authorities.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Egyptian counterpart o the ongoing detainment of Alaa abdel Fattah in Egypt.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Since his sentencing on December 2021, FCDO officials have consistently called on the Egyptian government to urgently grant consular access to visit Alaa Abdel Fatah. The Minister of State for North Africa raised the case with Foreign Minister Shoukry during a call on 21 May, and during his recent visit to Cairo. The UK Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities, including with regard to political prisoners in the Egyptian system, both privately and in forums such as the UN Human Rights Council.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her (a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian counterparts on reports of forced evictions in Masafer Yatta.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help support Palestinian (a) human rights defenders and (b) journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK is committed to the protection of media freedom around the world. We continue to reiterate the importance of a free and open press, and freedom of expression to the Israeli Government and Palestinian Authority. We have called upon the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority to fully respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of human rights defenders and organisations and to allow them to freely operate in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the EU on lengthening the duration of Schengen Area visas for UK citizens travelling to the EU beyond the current 90-day limit.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK and EU both currently provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance with their respective laws. The detail of those arrangements is set by domestic law, and in line with EU legislation. British Citizens are able to travel visa-free to the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. British Citizens who are planning to stay longer than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require applying for a visa and/or permit.
Negotiations with the EU have concluded and the Government is focused on the smooth, robust and effective implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Government keeps advice for British Citizens travelling abroad under regular review.