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Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) Tuesday Volume 576 4 March 2014 No. 130 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 4 March 2014 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 733 4 MARCH 2014 734 Bruce) and the noble Lord Alton. We have approached House of Commons the BBC and are waiting for its detailed response. I must stress, however, that the BBC World Service is Tuesday 4 March 2014 operationally, managerially and editorially independent. Diana Johnson: Does the Minister think that the UN The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Security Council will agree to a referral to the International Criminal Court, and have there been any discussions PRAYERS about possible targeted sanctions against those responsible for crimes against humanity? [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Swire: I remind the hon. Lady that I was in Geneva yesterday for the opening day of the UN Human Rights Council. The commission will formally present its report on 17 March, so these are very early days. The Oral Answers to Questions annual resolution led by the European Union and Japan will then be taken at the end of the Human Rights Council and we will work with colleagues there to FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ensure that we have the best possible mechanism to hold the DPRK to account. Incidentally, I believe that when the curtain is finally lifted on that country, we will see The Secretary of State was asked— evidence of human rights violations that surpass anything North Korea (Human Rights) we have seen in any other country in the past 50 years. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): Does the Minister 1. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): agree that the international community’s response to What recent steps he has taken to address human rights human rights violations in North Korea has been wholly abuses in North Korea. [902783] inadequate to date and that we must now challenge them with the same emphasis placed on security issues? 4. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): What steps he plans to take in support of the recent report of the United Nations commission of inquiry Mr Swire: I do and I congratulate my hon. Friend on on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic all the work she has been doing. She has arranged a of Korea. [902786] briefing by Open Doors this afternoon—I have asked officials to attend it—to highlight the plight of Christians The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth in the DPRK. I also commend—this is not a plug—a Office (Mr Hugo Swire): I welcome the recent United book I have just read by the noble Lord Alton called Nations report, which exposes shocking human rights “Building Bridges”, which is the most shocking account violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, of what has been going on in that country. and I urge the DPRK authorities to respond to its contents. The United Kingdom is actively supporting a Mr Speaker: Lord Alton is, indeed, a great man. strong UN Human Rights Council resolution on the DPRK. Yesterday I was in Geneva, working to deliver a 20. [902804] Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): What resolution that makes clear that there can be no impunity conversations are the UK Government having with for human rights violators. China, specifically about the report’s recommendations on the forced repatriation of North Koreans, which is Andrew Selous: As the United Nations has found having a devastating impact on Christians who defect North Korea to be committing crimes against humanity to China? on a scale unparalleled in the modern world, will the Government refer those responsible to the International Mr Swire: We have had discussions with our Chinese Criminal Court and lobby the BBC to broadcast the opposite numbers on refoulement—that is, the repatriation World Service into North Korea, given the increase in of those who have escaped from DPRK to China. We demand for the so-called immoral devices of small had a UK-China strategic dialogue last week and I radios, the ban on which eased last month? We can no raised the issue with my opposite number, as did my longer say we do not know—it is time to act. right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary with his opposite number. Mr Swire: I certainly agree with my hon. Friend’s last comment. On the International Criminal Court, in principle Ukraine it could be an appropriate forum, although the DPRK has not signed up to it. We strongly agree that there should be no impunity for crimes of this sort, so we 2. Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con): What recent need to look at the most effective way of holding the assessment he has made of the political situation in DPRK to account. Ukraine. [902784] On the BBC, my hon. Friend will know that I have been in correspondence with and have attended the 5. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): What reports all-party group on North Korea to discuss the issue he has received on recent developments in Ukraine. with my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona [902787] 735 Oral Answers4 MARCH 2014 Oral Answers 736 6. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): What discussions Mr Hague: Former President Yanukovych left his he has had with the Government of Ukraine on the post and then left the country, and the decisions on political situation in that country. [902788] replacing him with an acting President were made by the Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, by the very large 7. Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): majorities required under the constitution, including What assessment he has made of the latest political with the support of members of former President developments in Ukraine. [902789] Yanukovych’s party, the Party of Regions, so it is wrong to question the legitimacy of the new authorities. 15. Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): What On disturbances in Donetsk and other areas of eastern reports he has received on recent developments in Ukraine, there have been reports of some such disturbances, Ukraine. [902798] but it is not clear whether they have been inspired from outside Ukraine. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague): I will make a statement Damian Collins: Will the Foreign Secretary confirm shortly and I visited Ukraine yesterday. The United that without a swift and peaceful resolution to the Kingdom is gravely concerned by the violation of the Crimean crisis, the Government will consider imposing sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. economic sanctions on Russia? Have he and the Government conducted a review of the options at their Stuart Andrew: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend disposal to apply such economic pressure? for that answer and may I pay tribute to him for his extensive efforts during this crisis? Many of us share his Mr Hague: Our options are open on that. The European concern about this rapidly developing situation. Does Union Foreign Affairs Council yesterday agreed to look he agree that any allegations made by Russia that its at targeted measures. Our options are open on the minority in Ukraine is in danger would be best addressed further action that we can take, and which we will take through diplomatic means rather than by any use of in conjunction with our allies and partners, because force? that will make any such action more effective, when we are able to consider developments over the coming Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That hours and days. is a very important point. Allegations have been made about threats to the Russian-speaking minority in Ukraine. Helen Goodman: At this time of crisis, it is clear that I must say that I have not seen any evidence—no the Foreign Secretary must have no conflicts of interest. evidence has been presented of those threats—and I Unlike the Swiss and the Austrian Governments, this received very strong assurances from the Ukrainian Government have not frozen the assets of members of authorities yesterday that they would not make any the Yanukovych regime. Human rights activists in Ukraine such threats. In any case, as he says, such matters should have contacted me to complain that the Tories have be resolved peacefully, and institutions such as the taken money from members of that regime in the past. Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Does the Foreign Secretary want take to this opportunity and the Council of Europe are always ready to assist to clear up that matter? with such matters. Mr Hague: I find the hon. Lady’s question ridiculous Kevin Brennan: As a schoolboy, I took the bus from in the extreme, and I almost do not know where to Cwmbran to Pontypool via the village of Sebastopol, a begin to ridicule it. Certainly, Her Majesty’s Government reminder of how long the Crimea has been of significance would not be influenced by any such matters. I discussed in our history. Will the Foreign Secretary ask all Ministers with the Prime Minister of Ukraine yesterday our eagerness to refrain from any superficial blame games for party to assist with the return of stolen assets and their political purposes, which are not in Britain’s interest, recovery for Ukraine. For the first time, the Ukrainian and to work with the Opposition to develop a united Government yesterday gave us a list of those involved; diplomatic response from Britain in the face of Russian they had not done so previously.
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