Mentions:
1: Bob Seely (Con - Isle of Wight) important thing to do for fair trade, and to help jobs not only in this country, but in Bangladesh, India - Speech Link
2: Jim Shannon (DUP - Strangford) Religious freedom for Tibetan Buddhists is a special concern of mine, and I continue to raise my voice - Speech Link
3: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) He spoke about freedom of religious belief. - Speech Link
Oral Evidence May. 14 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s engagement with the Middle East and North AfricaFound: I accept that I am also the Minister for India, South Asia and so on, so I think it was right that
Mentions:
1: Jim Shannon (DUP - Strangford) for those who are subjected to some of the most extreme cases of violence that threaten their safety, freedom - Speech Link
2: Stella Creasy (LAB - Walthamstow) NGOs report that sexual violence often occurs in religious conflict, particularly in India, Pakistan - Speech Link
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 instances of persecution on the grounds of religion or belief in some Indian states; when they last raised this with the government of India, including the High Commission of India in London; and what response they have received from the government of India.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect and tolerance between different religious and non-religious communities, regardless of faith.
I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad] discussed human rights with the Government of India, leaders of faith groups and others during my visit to India in May 2023. FoRB was also among the issues discussed during my visit to India in February. Where we have issues, we raise them directly with the Government of India, including at Ministerial level.
The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India, consistently monitor human rights in the country, regularly engage with civil society and religious representatives, and have run projects supporting human rights.
May. 10 2024
Source Page: Gender equality and social inclusion mainstreaming research: final reportFound: (ASI), designed and delivered by an international team of GESI and research experts based in Nepal, India
Written Evidence May. 09 2024
Inquiry: The future of news: impartiality, trust and technologyFound: threats to the US federal and state elections, including the midterms, as well as elections in India
Oral Evidence May. 07 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s international counter-terrorism policyFound: his ideas, although they are clearly very different because one was very secular and one was very religious
Oral Evidence May. 07 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s international counter-terrorism policyFound: his ideas, although they are clearly very different because one was very secular and one was very religious
Mentions:
1: Lord Leigh of Hurley (Con - Life peer) A country controlled by autocrats, or denying the rights of women, gays, minorities or religious groups - Speech Link
2: Lord Willetts (Con - Life peer) I remember when I used to go on missions to India, accompanied on a couple of occasions by the vice-chancellor - Speech Link
3: Lord Davies of Brixton (Lab - Life peer) My Lords, I just want to ask the Minister a question relating to academic freedom. - Speech Link
4: None As I have said, the BDS Bill is not about restricting freedom of speech. - Speech Link
Oral Evidence Apr. 30 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s international counter-terrorism policyFound: hate each other and there is a vicious battle going on, to the point that, while Daesh enjoys some freedom