Tag: Nigel Dodds

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage freedom of religion in Burma and other South-East Asian countries.

Mr Hugo Swire

I made very clear during my visit to Burma in January that respect for freedom of religion and belief must be guaranteed. Our Ambassador and officials regularly discuss the importance of freedom of religion, which is guaranteed in the constitution, with the Burmese government, and also regularly meet representatives of all faith communities. The UK is also providing funding to train journalists on responsible coverage of religious freedom and conflict, and supporting a project to enhance the capacity of civil society groups to advocate freedom of religion. We have previously provided funding for interfaith dialogue and peace building amongst young people.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials across South-East Asia regularly discuss these issues with local governments and faith communities, and Ministers also raise specific issues and concerns as they arise. Recently, for example, I raised our concerns about the introduction of a sharia criminal code in Brunei with Deputy Foreign Minister Pehin Lim; our Ambassador in Jakarta has discussed the protection of religious minority groups in Indonesia; and my noble Friend, the right hon. Baroness Warsi, has stressed the importance of tolerance and mutual respect with senior ministers in Malaysia. We will also continue to support projects across South-East Asia designed to bolster and protect freedom of religion and belief.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK armed forces will be employed in training Iraqi and peshmerga brigades to fight against ISIS.

Mr Mark Francois

For several months we have provided training and equipment to Kurdish forces, including infantry, combat first-aid, sharp-shooting and counter-IED training. The National Security Council agreed in December that we should do further work to scope the additional assistance we could offer to the Iraqi military. At this stage no firm decisions have been made.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what level of assistance his Department has provided to rebels in Syria; what form such support has taken; and what steps he is taking to prevent its misuse.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have provided more than £20 million this year to support the moderate opposition, including the National Coalition who we recognise as the sole legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. In May this year the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), laid a written ministerial statement before Parliament announcing the lifting of the temporary hold on gifting to the Supreme Military Council and the intention to resume delivery of £1 million of non-lethal equipment as soon as is practical. Recipients of this assistance have been carefully selected to prevent equipment being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations. The UK is not supplying weapons to anybody in Syria.

The equipment we provide, including to the armed opposition groups, has undergone intense scrutiny to ensure that we are providing the best possible support and that we meet all our national and international obligations. The equipment has been scrutinised to ensure its provision is consistent with export controls under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and EU restrictions on the provision of goods to Syria (as agreed by Member States on 27 May 2013).

We have also supported the opposition’s political umbrella group, the National Coalition, with advisory and practical support. This has included strategic communications advice, and advice on internal governance arrangements. We have also supported the National Coalition’s delivery arm, the Interim Government, as they expand their plans to deliver services in opposition-held areas inside Syria. We have also funded a range of projects in support of civil society and activist groups both inside and outside Syria, which have included those documenting human rights abuses. The then Foreign Secretary announced in May that we would spend £30 million in support to the Syrian opposition and to bolster regional security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC about the funding of the BBC and its regional programming.

Mr Edward Vaizey

I have not held any recent discussions with the BBC regarding future funding.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take additional steps to tackle human trafficking within the UK’s borders.

Karen Bradley

This Government is determined to stamp out all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking, regardless of whether these crimes have involved
cross-border movement. The Modern Slavery Bill will give law enforcement the tools to tackle modern slavery and enhance support and protection for victims. The Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive are both bringing forward their own legislation to tackle this terrible crime and we are working with them closely to ensure a coordinated approach across the UK. We are also undertaking a comprehensive programme of activity which includes awareness-raising for front-line professionals, to ensure that they can spot the signs of modern slavery, including human trafficking, and know what to do.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Libyan government on the campaign for equitable compensation for victims of IRA terrorism sponsored by Colonel Gaddafi’s government and the decision by the Libyan Parliament to revoke a law banning officials from that government from re-entering the political realm.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

While we do not intend to negotiate a compensation settlement with the Libyan authorities, once stability returns, and our Embassy re-opens, we will again encourage the Libyans to engage with UK victims seeking redress, including those seeking compensation and their legal representatives. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the member for Witney (Mr Cameron) is committed to doing this and has asked the National Security Advisor to lead cross-government efforts to engage the Libyans on reconciliation initiatives. The Government will also continue to promote broad and lasting reconciliation between Libya and affected UK communities. The UK has not formally discussed with the House of Representatives their decision on the political isolation law. Only an inclusive political solution can resolve the ongoing hostilities and political polarisation in Libya. The UK has urged all parties to cease all hostilities and support the UN process led by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Bernardino Leon.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that pay day loan companies are restricted from deliberately intimidating their customers.

Andrea Leadsom

The Government has fundamentally reformed the regulation of the payday lending market. Regulatory responsibility for consumer credit transferred from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April. The FCA has transposed key parts of the OFT’s Debt Collection Guidance into binding rules, which sets out the types of business practices considered unfair and incompatible with fitness to operate.

The FCA is undertaking a thematic review into payday lenders’ debt collection practices to ensure that firms treat customers who are struggling with repayments fairly. The FCA expects to publish the final report early in 2015 which will set out what practices it has found across the market and how it expects all firms in the market to make sure they are observing the right standards of behaviour.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Chinese authorities on religious freedoms in Zhejiang province.

Mr Hugo Swire

As stated in my response of 16 October 2014 (PQ 209774), we have concerns about all restrictions placed on freedom of religion or belief in China, including those placed on Christians in Zhejiang Province. We are particularly concerned by reports that a number of churches have had their crosses removed, been demolished, or forced to close. We regularly raise our concerns with Chinese counterparts and highlight them through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy. We last raised the issue of religious freedom in detail during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in May 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Electoral Office on steps to ensure that the election count process for European and other elections held in Northern Ireland is faster and more efficient.

Dr Andrew Murrison

I recently met the Chief Electoral Officer to discuss a range of issues, including steps that might be taken to ensure a faster count at elections held under the Single Transferable Vote in Northern Ireland. I have asked the Chief Electoral Officer to work closely with the Electoral Commission to explore ways to speed up the count process at PR-STV elections in Northern Ireland with a view to implementing any reforms in advance of the 2016 Assembly elections.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-02-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage respect for freedoms of religion, association and speech in Niger.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

Freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief continue to be important human rights priorities for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

We were concerned by recent attacks on churches and other buildings in Niger following protests against the publication of the Charlie Hebdo magazine. FCO officials recently met religious groups to discuss these incidents.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Niger closely, both bilaterally and through our international partners such as the European Union and the United Nations.