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19 Nov 2010 : Column 1013W—continued
Pakistan: Capital Punishment
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his Pakistan counterpart on the death sentence given to Mrs Asia Bibi. [24950]
Alistair Burt: The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. In Pakistan, alongside EU colleagues, we regularly raise our support for its abolition and work with civil society to encourage reform.
Our high commission in Islamabad has raised the case of Mrs Asia Bibi with the Punjab Government and we will continue to do so at a senior level. Specific representations to the Government of Pakistan are being made by the head of the EU delegation, with UK support, in Islamabad.
Taiwan: British Nationals Abroad
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals have applied for a British passport in Taiwan in each of the last five years. [25516]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not issue British passports in Taiwan. Applicants for British passports from Taiwan send their applications to the Regional Passport Processing Centre in Hong Kong. We do not separate out data according to country of residence at the time of application and to provide such information retrospectively would incur disproportionate cost.
Western Sahara: Violence
Joan Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Moroccan Government on
the recent attacks on Saharawi protestors; and if he will make a statement. [24767]
Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have met officials from the Moroccan embassy to discuss the recent violence in Western Sahara. The UK is using its position as President of the United Nations Security Council to convene an informal meeting of the Security Council to discuss the reports of violence in Western Sahara and has called for an assessment of the current situation from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) forces. I will also raise Western Sahara with my counterparts when I visit Morocco later this year.
We are saddened by reports of the loss of life. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office released a statement on 11 November expressing concern at reports of violence and calling for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to send a representative to El Aauin in Western Sahara as a result of the recent violent incidents. [24768]
Alistair Burt: We have no plans to send a representative to Western Sahara at present. However, we visit Western Sahara regularly, as well as keeping abreast of developments through United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and other contacts in the region. We would of course expect to send a representative to the territory as part of our regular visits to the region in the future.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Morocco on Saharawi reported missing following the recent violence in the Western Sahara. [25355]
Alistair Burt: We have not had any discussions with the Moroccan Government on people reported missing following the recent violence in Western Sahara. We are concerned by reports of violence and loss of life at the camps outside Gdiem Izik and Layounne and are following the situation closely. Our ambassador at Rabat is in close touch with the Moroccan authorities at a senior level and has urged transparency.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he (a) last met and (b) next plans to meet the Moroccan Government to discuss violence in the Western Sahara. [25356]
Alistair Burt: Officials in both London and Rabat have discussed recent violence in Western Sahara with their Moroccan counterparts. The UK also chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council on 16 November to gather further information about recent events from Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Atul Khare, and UN Envoy to Western Sahara Ambassador Christopher Ross. I will discuss this issue with the Moroccan authorities when I visit Morocco later this year.
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