Mentions:
1: Lord Camoys (Con - Excepted Hereditary) , a UK charity which has worked closely with ZSL on conservation projects in Nepal for over 30 years, - Speech Link
Jul. 17 2023
Source Page: UK–Nepal development partnership summaryFound: UK–Nepal development partnership summary
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of levels of religious freedom in Nepal.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Constitution of Nepal declares Nepal a secular state and affirms the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). However, laws that criminalise proselytization and blasphemy can be used to discriminate against religious minorities. Attacks on minorities and places of worship have also been reported, but are relatively rare. We raise concerns with the Government of Nepal and engage with faith groups to demonstrate support for religious freedoms. British Embassy Kathmandu also chairs a Human Rights Core Group of likeminded partners to discuss issues such as freedom of religion, and actions to promote tolerance.
Mentions:
1: David Davis (Con - Haltemprice and Howden) I also want to focus on a few places where Amersi has been active: Uzbekistan, Nepal and Kazakhstan. - Speech Link
Jun. 13 2023
Source Page: Nepal Bereavement: death abroadFound: Nepal Bereavement: death abroad
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Government of Nepal on pensions for Gurkha veterans in the UK.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee, which is jointly chaired by the Minister for Defence People and Families and His Excellency, The Ambassador of Nepal, met on the following dates: 3 November 2022, 19 April 2023, and the 22 November 2023. The next Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee is due to take place 27 March 2024.
In order to facilitate in depth technical discussion about welfare and pension concerns, a working group was set up. The membership of the working group includes Government of Nepal representatives, Gurkha veterans and widows as well as MOD and officials from other relevant Government departments. The working group met on: 30 November 2022, 15 December 2022, 15 June 2023, and the 11 September 2023. The next working group is due to meet on the 21 February 2024.
The Government’s view is that the Gurkha Pension Scheme is fair. Gurkha pensions are different, but these differences are objectively and reasonably justified and well suited to the circumstances of the time. The legal basis for Gurkha pensions has been upheld by three Judicial Reviews since 2003, including a case that went to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Tripartite Agreement 1947 (TPA 1947) is an agreement between the UK, Nepal and India that provides the formal basis for the employment of the Brigade of Gurkhas within the British Army. There are no Tripartite discussions currently.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department has held tripartite discussions with Gurkha veterans and the Government of Nepal since 2022.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee, which is jointly chaired by the Minister for Defence People and Families and His Excellency, The Ambassador of Nepal, met on the following dates: 3 November 2022, 19 April 2023, and the 22 November 2023. The next Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee is due to take place 27 March 2024.
In order to facilitate in depth technical discussion about welfare and pension concerns, a working group was set up. The membership of the working group includes Government of Nepal representatives, Gurkha veterans and widows as well as MOD and officials from other relevant Government departments. The working group met on: 30 November 2022, 15 December 2022, 15 June 2023, and the 11 September 2023. The next working group is due to meet on the 21 February 2024.
The Government’s view is that the Gurkha Pension Scheme is fair. Gurkha pensions are different, but these differences are objectively and reasonably justified and well suited to the circumstances of the time. The legal basis for Gurkha pensions has been upheld by three Judicial Reviews since 2003, including a case that went to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Tripartite Agreement 1947 (TPA 1947) is an agreement between the UK, Nepal and India that provides the formal basis for the employment of the Brigade of Gurkhas within the British Army. There are no Tripartite discussions currently.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what dates has the Minister for Defence People and Families had discussions with representatives from Nepal on pensions for Gurkha veterans in the UK in each year since 2019.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee, which is jointly chaired by the Minister for Defence People and Families and His Excellency, The Ambassador of Nepal, met on the following dates: 3 November 2022, 19 April 2023, and the 22 November 2023. The next Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee is due to take place 27 March 2024.
In order to facilitate in depth technical discussion about welfare and pension concerns, a working group was set up. The membership of the working group includes Government of Nepal representatives, Gurkha veterans and widows as well as MOD and officials from other relevant Government departments. The working group met on: 30 November 2022, 15 December 2022, 15 June 2023, and the 11 September 2023. The next working group is due to meet on the 21 February 2024.
The Government’s view is that the Gurkha Pension Scheme is fair. Gurkha pensions are different, but these differences are objectively and reasonably justified and well suited to the circumstances of the time. The legal basis for Gurkha pensions has been upheld by three Judicial Reviews since 2003, including a case that went to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Tripartite Agreement 1947 (TPA 1947) is an agreement between the UK, Nepal and India that provides the formal basis for the employment of the Brigade of Gurkhas within the British Army. There are no Tripartite discussions currently.
Jun. 13 2023
Source Page: Nepal Bereavement: death abroadFound: Nepal Bereavement: death abroad