The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Ambassador to Panama has held any meetings with representatives of the firm Mossack Fonseca since May 2010.
Mr Hugo Swire
No
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress the UN Support Mission in Libya has made on resolving the competing claims for (a) chairmanship of the Libyan Investment Authority and (b) governorship of the Central Bank of Libya.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
These matters are questions of Libyan sovereignty and we fully support the new Government of National Accord in resolving them.
Resolution 2259 (2015), supported by the UK and adopted by the Security Council on 23 December 2015, highlighted the importance of these institutions continuing to function for the benefit of all Libyans, and stressed the need for the Government of National Accord to exercise sole and effective oversight over the National Oil Company, the Central Bank of Libya, and the Libyan Investment Authority as a matter of urgency, without prejudice to future constitutional arrangements pursuant to the Libyan Political Agreement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Emily Thornberry on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has (a) sought and (b) received permission for the use of (i) Italian or (ii) US facilities at Sigonella by RAF aircraft for operations in Libyan airspace.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We have had a long-standing presence at Naval Air Station Sigonella, and have made frequent use of it. However, it is not normal practice to comment on the details of arrangements with host nations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has held with the government of the United Arab Emirates on the number of political prisoners held in that country; and what representations he has made on behalf of such prisoners.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We regularly discuss human rights with the UAE. If we have concerns regarding arrests, convictions or sentencing we make these clear to Emirati authorities, as part of our broader strategic engagement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Brazilian government on illegal gold-mining and its effects on indigenous communities in that country.
Mr Hugo Swire
We follow closely the issue of indigenous people affected by the extractive industries, including illegal gold mining, through continuous dialogue with human rights defenders in affected areas. Through our Prosperity and Bilateral Fund project work, our Embassy works closely with the Brazilian Government, business and NGOs to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector, this includes assessing the impact on human rights.
We also work closely with our EU partners in Brazil on human rights issues. The UK acts as focal point for the EU regarding human rights defenders in Brazil. Twice a year the local EU Delegation organises a mission to cities where there are concerns regarding human rights defenders. Later this month representatives from member states will accompany a small EU mission to the northern part of Brazil to show support to civil society involved with indigenous rights concerns. This includes assessing the impact on human rights and indigenous communities.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage Sudan and South Sudan to engage in dialogue to overcome disputes relating to the border between the two countries.
James Duddridge
I am concerned at the recent increase in tensions between Sudan and South Sudan. As part of our ongoing discussions with the governments of both countries, we have consistently stressed that dialogue is the only means of resolving the border-related disputes. We have also raised our concerns about recent tensions in the UN Security Council and continue to support the efforts of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel to encourage both sides to re-engage in negotiations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Anne-Marie Trevelyan on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had with their foreign counterparts on the EU referendum.
Mr David Lidington
Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and officials regularly engage with their foreign counterparts to communicate HM Government’s position on the EU referendum.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Brake on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2016 to Question 31489, what the date was of the most recent meeting at which the use of cluster munitions was raised with the Saudi Arabian government since the Convention on Cluster Munitions came into force on 30 May 2008.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The issue of Cluster Munitions was raised with the Saudis by Sir Alan Duncan, the Government’s Envoy on Yemen during his visit to Riyadh on 6 April 2016. In line with our obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we continue to encourage Saudi Arabia, as a non-party to the Convention, to accede to it.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy Slaughter on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether any Government ministers have requested that the sentences of (a) Ali al Nimr, (b) Dawood al Mahroon and (c) Abdullah al Zaher be commuted.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We are very concerned about the cases of Ali al-Nimr, Dawood al-Marhoon and Abdallah al-Zaher. We have raised these cases with the Saudi Arabian authorities, most recently on 12 March, at a very senior level. Our expectation remains that they will not be executed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Catherine West on 2016-04-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether consular assistance has been granted to Mr Lee Po; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Hugo Swire
We remain deeply concerned by the case of Lee Po and his involuntary removal to the mainland, which was a serious breach of the Joint Declaration. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised the case of Mr Lee with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities on 8 and 9 April. We continue to call for Mr Lee’s liberty to be fully restored and remain ready to provide consular assistance. To date we have not been granted consular access to him.