Tag: foreign affairs

Egypt – Written Question

On 6th May 2014, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, recieved an answer to a written question on the current situation in Egypt.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the independence of the judiciary in Egypt.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The new Egyptian constitution, adopted in January 2014, states that the judicial system is independent, and allows the judiciary its own budget, and to appoint the Prosecutor General and members of the Supreme Constitutional Court. We do, however, have some concerns over recent judicial decisions, including the sentencing to death of 529 people in Minya on 24 March. Reports that many of the defendants were tried in their absence and may not have been represented properly are deeply troubling. We have been urging the Egyptian authorities to ensure that the rights of defendants are fully respected in all cases.

(via Parliament.uk)

MPs debate freedom of thought, conscience and religion

“The ability to pray and worship as one wishes is a fundamental human right, and one that we, as elected democrats, should always seek to defend.” – Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, 1/5/14

14.01 CCQ Baldry

On 1st May 2014 a debate was held in the House of Commons on ‘Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion’. The debate was led by the Alliance MP for Belfast East, Naomi Long. Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, who is the Second Church Estates Commissioner, took part in the debate and his speech is below. The full debate can be read on the UK Hansard website here. Continue reading “MPs debate freedom of thought, conscience and religion”

Egypt: Aid and Reform- Written Question

On 9th April 2014 the Bishop of Coventry received a written answer to a question on Egypt.

13.10 Bishop of Coventry The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to making development aid to Egypt contingent on political and judicial reform.[HL6392]

Baroness Northover (LD): DfID does not have a country office or bilateral programme in Egypt but provides support through the Arab Partnership Fund and the British Embassy in Cairo. The Arab Partnership seeks to support political and economic reform in Egypt, focusing on accountability, improved governance, public voice and economic opportunity. Assistance is not provided through or to the Egyptian Government, but is channelled through civil society and international financial institutions in support of long-term reform.

(via Parliament.uk)

Peacekeeping, Reservists, Chaplaincy and the Armed Forces Covenant: Bishop of St Albans

 “I hope that as these covenants are rolled out, we can think about how we can draw in the voluntary sector to offer real and significant support to those who put themselves on the line in the defence of our country.” – Bishop of St Albans, 7/4/14

14.03 Bishop of St Albans

On 7th April 2014 Lord Dannatt tabled a question for short debate, ‘to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of whether they have sufficient manpower and the right balance of regular and reserve forces within the Armed Forces in order to meet the United Kingdom’s current national and international responsibilities and requirements’. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Rev Alan Smith, spoke: Continue reading “Peacekeeping, Reservists, Chaplaincy and the Armed Forces Covenant: Bishop of St Albans”

Bishop of St Albans speech marking International Roma Day

On 2nd April 2014 Baroness Whitaker tabled a question for short debate: ‘ to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to mark International Roma Day.’

The Bishop of St Albans gave a speech highlighting the work being undertaken in Luton in support of the Roma community in the diocese of St Albans, He also focused on the need to improve educational opportunities for Roma children.

14.03 Bishop of St Albans

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Whitaker, for securing this debate, Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans speech marking International Roma Day”

Moldova: EU and UK Relations

MoldovaOn 2nd April 2014 the Bishop of Wakefield, Rt Revd Stephen Platten, received answers to written questions on EU and UK relationships with the Republic of Moldova, which borders Ukraine. The questions focused on:

  • the EU’s Association Agreement
  • election monitoring
  • political and military assurances about territorial independence and sovereignty
  • Ministerial contact
  • EU visa waiver programme
  • Tensions between Moldova and the autonomous regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia. 

Continue reading “Moldova: EU and UK Relations”

Ukrainians in Crimea

14.03 Bishop of St AlbansOn 25th March 2014 Lord Trimble asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what steps they are taking to support the Government of Ukraine’. The Bishop of St Albans asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, can the Minister tell us what representations are being made on behalf of Ukrainians who are still living in Crimea and find themselves living there now under the Russian state? How are their interests going to be protected?

Baroness Warsi: My Lords, that is the most difficult community for us to access. The right reverend Prelate asks an important question about a community which is probably most at risk. Unfortunately, we understand that OSCE monitors will not be allowed into Crimea at this stage, but I will write to the right reverend Prelate if I have any further details.
(via Parliament.uk)

 

Bishop of Truro receives answers to written questions on settlements in East Jerusalem

Written Questions, answered on 24th and 25th March, 2014:

The Lord Bishop of TBishop of Truro 20.6.13ruro: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the recent announcement by the Jerusalem municipal authorities of their approval of building permits for 558 new units in East Jerusalem, in Har Homa, Neve Yaakov and Pisgat Zeev.

Continue reading “Bishop of Truro receives answers to written questions on settlements in East Jerusalem”

Somalia: Religious Freedom

Written Question, answered on 25th March, 2014:

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion and belief in Somalia.

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The vast majority of people in Somalia are Muslim (around 99.8%) and Islam is recognised as the official state religion in Somalia’s provisional constitution. The majority of reports of restriction of religious freedom relate to human rights abuses by Al Shabaab.

(via Parliament.uk)

Iran: Human Rights

Written Question, answered on  20th March, 2014:

14.03 Bishop of St Albans

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran regarding that country’s human rights record.[HL6021]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK’s non-resident Chargé d’Affaires discussed human rights with a range of Iranian government officials during his most recent visit to Iran on 12 March 2014. He raised the use of the death penalty, freedom of religion and the workings of the criminal justice system. Prior to that, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised Iran’s human rights records with Iranian foreign minister Zarif at the UN General Assembly on 23 September 2013.

(via Parliament.uk)