Tag: Ann Clwyd

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to recommendation 5 on page 251 of the Report of the Macur Review, published in March 2016, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a police investigation to consider whether there is sufficient evidence and public interest relating to matters of malfeasance in public office in the Welsh Office in relation to the abuse of children in care in North Wales.

Caroline Dinenage

As the then Secretary of State for Wales said in his statement to the House on 17 March, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service are aware of the specifics of this matter and it is for them to consider further.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-12-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of Kyrgyzstan about human rights, and the Kyrgyz seat on the UN Human Rights Council from January 2016.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We engage with the Kyrgyz authorities regularly, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, across a broad spectrum on governance and human rights issues. The UK participated actively in Kyrgyzstan’s UN Universal Periodic Review process in October 2014. On 18 December, the UK Chargé d’ Affaires, together with EU Delegation Officials, discussed human rights issues with the Chair of the Kyrgyz Parliamentary committee responsible for Human Rights. We welcome Kyrgyzstan’s election to the UN Human Rights Council. We hope it will be an opportunity for Kyrgyzstan to build on its achievements to date to ensure full respect for its international human rights commitments and the Constitution, including the right to protection against any kind of discrimination; and equality before the law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the implications are for her Department’s policies of the legal submission given to her on 15 December 2015 by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign on the confrontation between police and miners at Orgreave in June 1984.

Mike Penning

On 21 July 2015 the Home Secretary met a group of MPs, a Welsh Assembly Member, Michael Mansfield QC and members of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC), led by Louise Haigh MP, to discuss their calls for a public inquiry to be established following the publication of the IPCC scoping review into the policing of events at Orgreave in 1984.

Following this meeting, on 15 December 2015 the Home Secretary received a submission from the OTJC containing their arguments for establishing a public inquiry into the events at Orgreave. That 85 page submission raises a range of extensive issues which the Home Secretary is currently considering fully and in detail before responding. She will set out the Government’s position in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to recommendation 5 on page 251 of the Report of the Macur Review, published in March 2016, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a police investigation to consider whether there is sufficient evidence and public interest relating to matters of malfeasance in public office or perverting the course of justice in North West Wales Police in relation to the abuse of children in care in North Wales.

Caroline Dinenage

As the then Secretary of State for Wales said in his statement to the House on 17 March, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service are aware of the specifics of this matter and it is for them to consider further.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-12-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Kyrgyzstan about the role and future of international non-governmental organisations working on human rights; and whether he has raised with that government the ban on the head of the Human Rights Watch office in Bishkek.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

During his visit to Kyrgyzstan in October 2014, Minister of State for Justice Lord Faulks discussed with Kyrgyz interlocutors a number of human rights issues, including the Foreign Agents Bill and other legislation that might restrict freedoms of expression and association. Our Embassy in Bishkek has also raised our concerns on a number of occasions with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and with Kyrgyz parliamentarians. We were concerned to hear of the refusal to grant entry to the Kyrgyz Republic to a representative from Human Rights Watch on 2 December. We are seeking further clarification from the Kyrgyz authorities. We will continue to raise our concerns about human rights directly with the government of Kyrgyzstan, and in suitable international fora, at every appropriate opportunity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will establish an independent inquiry into the cases of 792 miners in Wales who were arrested during the miners’ strike in 1984.

Mike Penning

There are no plans to establish an independent inquiry into the cases of 792 miners in Wales who were arrested during the miners’ strike in 1984.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will place in the library an unredacted copy of Lady Macur’s review of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the abuse of children in North Wales.

Alun Cairns

No. Lady Justice Macur specifically cautioned Ministers against publishing certain groups of names, for example to protect against prejudicing pending and ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions.

An unredacted version of the report has been provided to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, chaired by Justice Lowell Goddard, and was seen by representatives from Operations Pallial, Hydrant and Orarian.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to government officials in Bahrain on the stripping of Bahraini nationality from Bahrainis who are not dual nationals, for allegedly damaging state security.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have raised repeatedly with the Government of Bahrain its decision to withdraw citizenship from 31 individuals in 2012. We encourage the authorities to conduct full and transparent investigations into those accused of crimes and to ensure that individuals are given a right of appeal against citizenship deprivation decisions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with government officials in Bahrain about a future visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK encourages the government of Bahrain to agree a new date for a visit by the Special Rapporteur for Torture. On 14 January, my Rt Hon and noble Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Anelay, met the Bahraini Minister of Justice and highlighted the importance of Bahrain continuing to enhance its overall co-operation with UN institutions, including with the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ann Clwyd on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) financial and (b) other assistance his Department is providing to the Bahraini government for (i) security sector and prison reform, (ii) judicial independence and rule of law and (iii) good governance and related matters.

Mr Tobias Ellwood