Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 February 2010.

India: Religion

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Brett on 13 January (WA 160), what assessment they have made of the statement by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief in the report ofher mission to India, published on 26 January 2009, that anti-conversion laws ““raise serious human rights concerns””; and whether they will make representations to the government of India to implement the recommendations made in that report.

Answer: The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief’s report was used as a reference document during the most recent EU-India Human Rights Dialogue in February 2009, when the issue of anti-conversion laws in relation to minority rights was discussed with Indian officials. UK officials will continue to participate in the EU-India human rights dialogue on these issues and encourage the relevant Indian authorities to safeguard minority rights, including the right to freedom of religion and belief.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1557; 717 c115-6WA
Session: 2009-10
Related items: India: Religion
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: India Religious freedom
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk