Tag: Kerry McCarthy

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Malaysian government regarding (a) the imprisonment of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, (b) Malaysia’s sodomy laws and (c) sedition laws.

Mr Hugo Swire

The hon. Member will be aware of my statement of 10 February, the day the judgement was announced. In this I expressed deep concern at the Malaysian Federal Court’s decision to uphold Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction for sodomy. I had previously raised concerns about the case on 4 December when I met the Malaysian High Commissioner. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon Friend for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), also raised this issue when he met Malaysia’s Foreign Minister on 9 December.

Our High Commission in Malaysia has discussed the matter with Malaysian ministers and officials on several occasions, and officials from the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur observed the trial alongside other local diplomatic missions.

Wider representations on Malaysia’s sodomy laws have been confined to Anwar Ibrahim’s case as charges have been extremely rare.

We have lobbied for the repeal of the Sedition Act over many years. We are aware of the recent comments by Prime Minister Najib concerning plans to strengthen the Act rather than repeal it. We await more information about the scope of the proposed amendments. Until we know what these entail, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the conviction and imprisonment of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia.

Mr Hugo Swire

As I said in my statement on 10 February, the day he was convicted and sentenced, Anwar Ibrahim’s case raises worrying questions about the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Malaysia. As such, we have consistently raised concerns with the Malaysian government.

Malaysia is an important partner and friend to the UK. We continue to believe that the integrity of the rule of law is a key part of its success, as are the values of modeation and tolerance. We encourage Malaysia to recognise the importance of international confidence in its judicial system and to restore trust in its commitment to human rights.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-06-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his future plans are for the level of staff and budget resourcing on his Department’s Ending Sexual Violence Initiative.

Mark Simmonds

The Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) Team has been in place since the launch of the Initiative in 2012. The Team is now developing the next phase of the PSVI strategy building on the success of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, co-hosted by the Foreign Secretary and the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 10 – 13 June 2014. That work includes assessing the necessary future staff and budget requirements to achieve the post-Summit objectives.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that West Nile virus is not introduced from the United States to Ascension Island.

Mark Simmonds

At the present time, Ascension Island Government (AIG) assesses that there is a low risk of West Nile virus being introduced to Ascension Island from the United States. AIG continues to monitor the situation, and will keep its precautionary measures under review.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-06-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what resources his Department plans to commit to the Implementation Plan for the UK’s National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

Mark Simmonds

The National Action Plan (NAP) articulates our priorities on women, peace and security and is a tool to coordinate implementation of our work at the national level. It serves as a guiding policy document that is able to capture the diverse set of initiatives on this agenda taking place across our security, foreign policy and development work. The NAP’s Implementation Plan, which will be launched later this year, will be used to assess the impact of UK efforts on women, peace and security throughout the life of the NAP.

The NAP and the Implementation Plan, which will be launched later this year, provide the framework for activities which are funded through existing Departmental budgets, including: the Conflict Pool (the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund from 2015-16), the Human Rights and Democracy Fund, the Arab Partnership Fund and Official Development Assistance – all of which help to fund the work on women, peace and security across the world. We will also allocate funding for external and independent monitoring and evaluation of the NAP.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Ugandan government and (b) his EU counterparts on the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect on Uganda of the sanctions against that country announced by the US administration on 19 June 2014 in response to the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

Mark Simmonds

We have consistently raised our concerns about the Act with the Ugandan Government. Most recently, the Secretary of State for International Development and the Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds MP, raised the issue with the Ugandan President on 6 May. The UK is working closely with international partners to register its concerns and to seek assurances about the protection of individuals. With our support, EU Heads of Mission in Kampala initiated strengthened political dialogue with Uganda under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement.

The UK shares the concerns of the US and notes the US’s recent decision to apply existing visa mechanisms, redirect some healthcare support, end support for a community policy project, and cancel a military aviation exercise in response. The UK is engaging closely with civil society groups in Uganda to consult with them about the most appropriate next steps.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-01-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many applications there were to set up rabbit farms in England in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Brandon Lewis

The requested information is not held by the Department.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the timetable is for the Montserrat Conservation and Environmental Management Bill.

Mark Simmonds

The elected Government of Montserrat has devolved constitutional responsibility for conservation and environmental management. The UK Government is supporting the strengthening of the legal and institutional framework for environment management through our support for the Montserrat Strategic Growth Plan. We understand that the Montserrat Conservation and Environmental Management Bill is due to have its third and final reading in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 22 July.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-01-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward species-specific legislative proposals to (a) prohibit the use of barren cages for new rabbit farm developments and (b) make other provision for protecting the welfare of farmed rabbits.

George Eustice

There are existing provisions which protect the welfare of rabbits kept for meat production. Whilst there is no specific EU-wide legislation for rabbits, any kept for meat production in cages or in other systems in this country are protected by the general provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause suffering to an animal. The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 specifically covers the welfare of rabbits kept for the production of food. In addition, the statutory welfare code for rabbits provides good husbandry advice including recommendations for housing, feed, water and space allowances which should be regarded as absolute minimum.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-07-16.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the Government plans to announce the UK’s contribution to the Green Climate Fund; and whether that contribution will be, proportionately, in accord with the funding being sought by the Fund for its initial resource mobilisation.

Lynne Featherstone

The UK government considers all resource mobilisations in terms of impact and value for money for the British taxpayer. Any announcements are timed to encourage international donors to step up to the plate.