Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Indian Government on the killings carried out by the Indian Army in Srinagar on 30 December 2020.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are aware of reports that an Indian soldier has been charged with murder, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy after the deaths of three Kashmiri men. The British High Commission in New Delhi will monitor this case closely, but it is a matter for the Indian judicial system. We welcome assurances from the Indian Government that the Indian Army is committed to ethical conduct in its operations, and that disciplinary action will be undertaken in accordance with Indian law, where necessary.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Indian Government on restoring 4G internet access in Jammu and Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We continue to raise our concerns about restrictions and the use of detentions in India-administered Kashmir with the Indian Government. The Foreign Secretary discussed the situation with his counterpart, the External Affairs Minister, Dr Jaishankar, during his visit to New Delhi last month. The Minister of State responsible for South Asia and Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, raised our concerns about the situation in Kashmir with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 3 November. We call for all remaining restrictions - including on full 4G internet access - to be lifted as soon as possible and welcome information from the Indian Government that all individuals detained under so called "preventative measures" since the constitutional changes of 2019 have now been released. The UK will continue to encourage all States to ensure that their domestic laws and practices are in line with international standards. We continue to monitor the situation in Kashmir closely.
Asked by: Paul Bristow (Conservative - Peterborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Indian Government on the (a) welfare and (b) release of Kashmiris in custody under the Public Safety Act.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We continue to raise our concerns about restrictions and the use of detentions in India-administered Kashmir with the Indian Government. The Foreign Secretary discussed the situation with his counterpart, the External Affairs Minister, Dr Jaishankar, during his visit to New Delhi last month. The Minister of State responsible for South Asia and Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, raised our concerns about the situation in Kashmir with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 3 November. We call for all remaining restrictions - including on full 4G internet access - to be lifted as soon as possible and welcome information from the Indian Government that all individuals detained under so called "preventative measures" since the constitutional changes of 2019 have now been released. The UK will continue to encourage all States to ensure that their domestic laws and practices are in line with international standards. We continue to monitor the situation in Kashmir closely.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Labour - Denton and Reddish)
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 (a) counterparts in the Indian Government (b) counterparts in the Pakistani Government and (c) United Nations officials on the implementation of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan resolution of 5 January 1949 on the self-determination of the people of Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK's long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to identify a lasting political resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to act as mediator.
Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the other permanent members of the UN Security Council about (1) the four letters written by the UN rapporteurs on torture, arbitrary detentions, extra-judiciary and custodial killings in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir to the government of India, and (2) the absence of any response to date by that government to those letters.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the letters written by UN Special Rapporteurs. Kashmir was last discussed by the UN Security Council in August. The UK recognises that there are human rights concerns in India-administered Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegation of human rights violations or abuse is deeply concerning and must be investigated transparently, promptly and thoroughly. We raise our concerns with the Government of India where we have them. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary discussed Kashmir, among a number of issues, with the Indian External Affairs Minister on 15 December.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Indian counterpart on the humanitarian situation in Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are aware of reports on the humanitarian situation in Kashmir. We urge the Governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that the needs of those who live in India-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir are being met.
We regularly discuss Kashmir with the Governments of India and Pakistan. Most recently, the Minister of State for South Asia and Minister responsible for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed the situation in Kashmir with the Pakistani Foreign Secretary on the 8 September and the Indian Foreign Secretary (both Permanent Under-Secretary equivalents) on 3 November. Lord Ahmad is also in regular contact with the Pakistani and Indian High Commissioners in London.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Indian counterpart on the recent shelling by its forces of areas within Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are in regular contact with the Governments of India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister has underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue to both of his counterparts. The Minister for South Asia discussed Kashmir with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 3 November and the Pakistani Foreign Secretary (both Permanent Under-Secretary equivalents) on 8 September.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there are established processes to enable compensation by the Republic of India to families whose homes have been destroyed by its forces' shelling of areas within Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are concerned by levels of firing and shelling between Indian and Pakistani troops in Kashmir. We urge both sides to exercise restraint and improve channels of communication. We encourage both India and Pakistan to find lasting diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.
Any compensation processes would be a matter for the Indian and Pakistani Governments, but we are clear on the importance of rights being fully respected and continue to call for constructive dialogue with affected communities. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) people killed, (b) people wounded, (c) households displaced and (d) civilian buildings destroyed during recent shelling by forces of the Republic of India of areas within Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are concerned by levels of firing and shelling between Indian and Pakistani troops in Kashmir. We urge both sides to exercise restraint and improve channels of communication. We encourage both India and Pakistan to find lasting diplomatic solutions to maintain regional stability.
Any compensation processes would be a matter for the Indian and Pakistani Governments, but we are clear on the importance of rights being fully respected and continue to call for constructive dialogue with affected communities. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Indian counterpart on behalf of UK citizens who have family members whose homes have been destroyed by the shelling by Indian forces of areas within Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are in regular contact with the Governments of India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister has underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue to both of his counterparts. The Minister for South Asia discussed Kashmir with the Indian Foreign Secretary on 3 November and the Pakistani Foreign Secretary (both Permanent Under-Secretary equivalents) on 8 September.