Foreign and Commonwealth Office Questions and Answers (June, July 2015)
Q. Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
Asked on: 29 June 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Human Rights
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the United Arab Emiratesconcerning claims of human rights violations and contravention of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A. Answered by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Answered on: 08 July 2015
Our bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) allows us to discuss a broad range of issues, and where we do have concerns we make these clear to the Emirati authorities. The UAE are not a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but they are a member of the UN Human Rights Council.
Q. Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
Asked on: 29 June 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Travel Restrictions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether concerns have been raised with the United Arab Emiratesregarding travel bans imposed on relatives of political prisoners.
A. Answered by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Answered on: 08 July 2015
Our bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) allows us to discuss a broad range of issues, and where we do have concerns we make these clear to the Emirati authorities. The UAE are not a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but they are a member of the UN Human Rights Council. We have not raised travel bans with the UAE government.
Q. Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
Asked on: 30 June 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Political Prisoners
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have raised concerns with the United Arab Emiratesabout allegations by Amnesty International of the torture of political prisoners in the United ArabEmirates.
A. Answered by: Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Answered on: 08 July 2015
We are aware of the allegations made by Amnesty International. The British Government’s policy is clear – we do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or mistreatment for any purpose. Our bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates allows us to discuss a broad range of issues, including human rights. Where we have concerns we make these clear to Emirati authorities.
Q. Asked by Greg Mulholland
(Leeds North West)
Asked on: 13 July 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Migrant Workers
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of the conditions faced by migrant workers on construction of the Saadiyat Island project in the United ArabEmirates.
A. Answered by: Mr Tobias Ellwood
Answered on: 21 July 2015
We are aware of media and Non-Governmental Organisation reports that raised concerns about the conditions faced by workers on Saadiyat Island. Earlier this year, our Ambassador to the United ArabEmirates visited the purpose-built village in which many of Saadiyat Island workers are accommodated to see living standards.
Q. Asked by Greg Mulholland
(Leeds North West)
Asked on: 13 July 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Females
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the treatment of women by the legal system of the United Arab Emirates.
A. Answered by: Mr Tobias Ellwood
Answered on: 21 July 2015
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers published a report on the United Arab Emirates in May which noted gender discrimination in the UAE justice system. The report also praised the number of female judges and prosecutors in the UAE. The UK endorses the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations that the UAE should promote women’s equal access to justice and support ever greater participation for women in the legal system.
Q. Asked by Greg Mulholland
(Leeds North West)
Asked on: 13 July 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Politics and Government
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his United Arab Emirates counterpart about the timescale for democratic reform in that country.
A. Answered by: Mr Tobias Ellwood
Answered on: 21 July 2015
In October the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold elections to its parliament, the Federal National Council. These will involve the biggest UAE electorate to date, two-thirds larger than in the last elections in 2011. We welcome the steps taken by the UAE to increase political participation.
Q. Asked by Greg Mulholland
(Leeds North West)
Asked on: 13 July 2015
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
United Arab Emirates: Detainees
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the government of the United Arab Emirates on the unlawful detainment of political activists in that country.
A. Answered by: Mr Tobias Ellwood
Answered on: 21 July 2015
The British Government does not condone unlawful detention of political activists. Our bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates allows us to discuss a broad range of issues, including concerns about human rights.
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