Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 June 2002. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 June 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Turkmen authorities concerning the renewed persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Turkmen authorities concerning the renewed persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan. [62787] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UK, with the EU and the US uses every opportunity to raise cases of religious persecution with the Turkmen Government. Our ambassador, together with EU and US ambassadors called on the Foreign Minister in February, May, July and December 2001 to protest at the continued imprisonment of a senior Baptist and to call for his release on humanitarian grounds. The prisoner was released two weeks after the December meeting. Our ambassador has also recently requested a meeting with the Turkmen Foreign Minister to discuss religious persecution and other issues.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 62787; 387 c399-400W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Human rights Religious freedom Oppression Christianity Turkmenistan
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk