Tag: Kerry McCarthy

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will extend the ban on the use of unenriched battery cages for laying hens, as set out in Schedule 3 to the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2078), to quail egg production.

George Eustice

UK legislation prohibiting unenriched cages for laying hens implements EU Directive 99/74/EC which specifically protects birds of the species Gallus Gallus. There are no such requirements for quail set in EU law and we have no plans to introduce a similar measure for this or other species of egg-laying birds. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to fail to provide for the welfare needs of animals, including quail raised for egg production.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on ratification of the EU-Central America Association Agreement; when he expects the UK to ratify the agreement; and when the two remaining pillars will be applied.

Mr Hugo Swire

We strongly support the EU-Central American Association Agreement, which was signed in 2012. The Agreement supports our policy objectives for Central America via three important pillars of political dialogue, development cooperation and trade. We believe that these are the right tools to support economic growth, democracy and political stability in Central America and the UK has supported the Agreement’s progress through its negotiation, signature and conclusion stages.

The trade pillar of the Association Agreement has been provisionally applied since 2013. The two remaining pillars will be applied as soon as the remaining EU Member States ratify. I have not had any recent discussions with my EU counterparts on this issue. However, I have recently discussed the Agreement with a number of Ambassadors to the UK from Central American countries and have had the occasion to discuss it while visiting the region – most recently on my visits to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama last year. The preparatory work prior to ratification is ongoing. The next stage will be to seek parliamentary approval for a draft Order in Council that will specify the Association Agreement as an EU treaty. I expect a draft Order to be laid early in the next Parliament.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the role of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

Foreign and Commonwealth Office representatives regularly discuss MINURSO with their international counterparts, most recently in New York in January 2015. The UK supports the UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation of the Saharawi population in Western Sahara; and what discussions he has had with the government of Morocco on this issue.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We assess that there has been progress in the human rights situation. Some concerns remain and we are continuing to follow progress in these areas. My Noble Friend, Lady Anelay, raised Western Sahara at senior levels during her visit to Morocco last month. I discussed Western Sahara issues with the Moroccan Ambassador most recently in January 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of Morocco’s compliance with the (a) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (b) Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and (c) Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We recognise and support Morocco’s international commitment to adhere to the standards laid down in these universal human rights documents. There has been notable progress on human rights in Morocco. In particular, we welcome their ratification of the Optional Protocol for the Convention against Torture in December 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many British nationals are under sentence of death in Pakistan; and what assistance his Department is providing to each such nationals.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

As of 11 February we are aware of 2 British nationals who have been sentenced to death in Pakistan. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides consular assistance to all British nationals sentenced to death, unless they decline this. This includes making representations at all appropriate levels in line with our opposition to the death penalty and welfare support. We also refer British nationals to specialist non-governmental organisations that are able to provide additional support to them.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2015-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Pakistan in support of resuming the moratorium on the death penalty in that country; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for a lasting moratorium on the death penalty in Pakistan.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We regularly raise the issue of the death penalty in Pakistan at the highest levels and have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan to commit to a moratorium on the death penalty. It is our longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We fully understand Pakistan’s resolve to protect society from terrorism but there is no evidence that capital punishment is an effective deterrent.

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.