The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Brazilian government on ensuring adequate security for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mr Hugo Swire
I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 29 May given in response to PQ 38251.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe of 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 136WH, when his Department last made representations to Saudi Arabia to encourage abolition of the death penalty in that country; and at what level those representations were made.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country. We regularly raise human rights issues, including in relation to the death penalty with the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) visited Saudi Arabia on 29 May as part of a regional tour of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and raised our human rights concerns, including the death penalty.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe of 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 136WH, when his Department last made representations to Saudi Arabia expressing concern about the extent of the application of the death penalty in that country.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country. We regularly raise human rights issues, including in relation to the death penalty with the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) visited Saudi Arabia on 29 May as part of a regional tour of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and raised our human rights concerns, including the death penalty.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe of 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 137WH, when the cross-departmental programme expenditure funding to support Yemen’s national de-mining institution will be released.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK has thus far released £671,592 of funding from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to UNDP, who manage the project rebuilding the capacity of Yemen’s national demining institution (YEMAC) and supporting mapping and clearance operations. This project, to which the UK will contribute a total of £1.05m, will reduce the physical and social-economic impact of mines and explosive remnants of war on people and communities. This is part of the UK’s wider efforts to help address Yemen’s urgent humanitarian needs and contribute to effective stabilisation – giving the nascent peace process a better chance of success.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services had a role in the recent deaths of student protestors.
James Duddridge
We are deeply concerned by the deaths of two students during recent protests, including allegations of the National Intelligence and Security Service’s involvement. We have raised our concerns with the Government of Sudan and believe that a full and transparent investigation should be undertaken to ensure those responsible are held to account.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Law on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to China on retracting its law on the management of foreign NGOs, passed on 28 April 2016; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Hugo Swire
I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 9 May in response to written question 36260.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of Turkish members of parliament being verbally abused, physically assaulted and threatened with murder within the parliament of that country; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Lidington
The Government is aware of disturbances in the Turkish parliament which took place in the context of its decision to lift parliamentary immunities for MPs. We continue to stress that, as a modern democracy, we would expect Turkey, following the lifting of immunity, to undertake any subsequent legal processes transparently and fully respect the rule of law.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe on 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 137WH, what representations the UK has made to Saudi Arabia to accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; and on what dates those representations were made.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
In line with our obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we regularly encourage Saudi Arabia, as a non-party to the Convention, to accede to it. The most recent engagement was between British and Saudi Arabian officials on 7 June.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe on 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 137WH, when the UK last maintained cluster munitions held by Saudi Arabia.
Michael Fallon
The UK has never maintained cluster munitions held by Saudi Arabia.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-06-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Europe of 8 June 2016, Official Report, column 136WH, whether his Department has made representations to Saudi Arabia requesting that the death sentences issued to Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher and Dawood al-Marhoon be commuted.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country. We remain concerned about the cases of Ali al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher and Dawood al-Marhoon. I can assure you that we continue to raise their cases with the Saudi authorities at every opportunity, most recently during the Foreign Secretary’s visit on 29 May. Our expectation remains that they will not be executed.