To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of Yasin Malik’s health, detention conditions and access to appropriate medical care in Tihar Jail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of Yasin Malik’s health, detention conditions and access to appropriate medical care in Tihar Jail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of India on reports of the use of capital punishment in the case of Yasin Malik.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of India on reports of the use of capital punishment in the case of Yasin Malik.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of reports that India’s National Investigation Agency is continuing to seek the death penalty in the case of Yasin Malik.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of reports that India’s National Investigation Agency is continuing to seek the death penalty in the case of Yasin Malik.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the detention and legal proceedings involving Yasin Malik.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the detention and legal proceedings involving Yasin Malik.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he or his Minister have raised the case of Yasin Malik with the Government of India in the last six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he or his Minister have raised the case of Yasin Malik with the Government of India in the last six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department to support the protection of Kashmiri political and human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department to support the protection of Kashmiri political and human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan and other senior Pakistani Ministers on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including communications restrictions, access to essential supplies and respect for fundamental freedoms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan and other senior Pakistani Ministers on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including communications restrictions, access to essential supplies and respect for fundamental freedoms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of arbitrary arrests and restrictions on peaceful civic and political activity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of arbitrary arrests and restrictions on peaceful civic and political activity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of communications restrictions and internet shutdowns on people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of communications restrictions and internet shutdowns on people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of deaths, injuries and the use of force during recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of deaths, injuries and the use of force during recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of disruption to food, medicines and other essential supplies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of disruption to food, medicines and other essential supplies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Today marks three months since the lockdown in Azad Kashmir. Over 100 peaceful protesters have been killed, over 1,000 have been injured, and many more remain under arbitrary arrest. Over 1 million British Kashmiris quite rightly remain concerned at this escalation. The all-party parliamentary group on Kashmir, along with 80...

Today marks three months since the lockdown in Azad Kashmir. Over 100 peaceful protesters have been killed, over 1,000 have been injured, and many more remain under arbitrary arrest. Over 1 million British Kashmiris quite rightly remain concerned at this escalation. The all-party parliamentary group on Kashmir, along with 80...

My hon. Friend has been an assiduous campaigner on these matters, and I pay tribute to him for that. He is right that human rights apply and should be respected wherever they are. Should he seek an Adjournment debate or Westminster Hall debate on these matters, he would hear both...

My hon. Friend has been an assiduous campaigner on these matters, and I pay tribute to him for that. He is right that human rights apply and should be respected wherever they are. Should he seek an Adjournment debate or Westminster Hall debate on these matters, he would hear both...

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and political situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding recent restrictions on civil liberties and protests.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and political situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding recent restrictions on civil liberties and protests.

My Lords, the United Kingdom monitors developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir closely. We are concerned by reports of unrest, loss of life and injuries. We support freedom of assembly and expression and encourage peaceful dialogue. We understand that restrictions on communications have been especially concerning for British nationals and members of the diaspora who are seeking contact with friends and family. The United Kingdom currently advises against all but essential travel to the area.

My Lords, the United Kingdom monitors developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir closely. We are concerned by reports of unrest, loss of life and injuries. We support freedom of assembly and expression and encourage peaceful dialogue. We understand that restrictions on communications have been especially concerning for British nationals and members of the diaspora who are seeking contact with friends and family. The United Kingdom currently advises against all but essential travel to the area.

I thank the Minister for his Answer and welcome the efforts to mediate. A number of individuals have tried to mediate between the action committee and the Governments of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the chair of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza. There has not yet been a resolution. As the Minister points out,

the guidance from the Foreign Office is against non-essential travel, but I can tell him from my personal experience that a lot of people, probably in the thousands, will be travelling over the summer holiday period to visit family and friends. Will the Minister continue to lobby the Government of Pakistan to at least open internet access so that loved ones can maintain contact with each other—and, if possible, to lift some of the blockades in terms of lockdowns and the closure of shops and other essential facilities?

I thank the Minister for his Answer and welcome the efforts to mediate. A number of individuals have tried to mediate between the action committee and the Governments of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the chair of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza. There has not yet been a resolution. As the Minister points out,

the guidance from the Foreign Office is against non-essential travel, but I can tell him from my personal experience that a lot of people, probably in the thousands, will be travelling over the summer holiday period to visit family and friends. Will the Minister continue to lobby the Government of Pakistan to at least open internet access so that loved ones can maintain contact with each other—and, if possible, to lift some of the blockades in terms of lockdowns and the closure of shops and other essential facilities?

We welcome the recent reports that dialogue is ongoing between the affected parties to find a resolution. It is good news. I reassure the noble Lord that, during Minister Falconer’s visit to Islamabad in June, he discussed the situation with his Pakistani counterparts, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; and that we continue to monitor the situation and the impact on British nationals.

We welcome the recent reports that dialogue is ongoing between the affected parties to find a resolution. It is good news. I reassure the noble Lord that, during Minister Falconer’s visit to Islamabad in June, he discussed the situation with his Pakistani counterparts, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; and that we continue to monitor the situation and the impact on British nationals.

My Lords, the regional elections will take place in Kashmir on 27 July; some will take place in August. What is the Government’s assessment of how free and fair these elections will be? Will they be monitoring them? I should declare that I run a Muslim charity; I did not declare this on the first Question when I asked about Muslim charities.

My Lords, the regional elections will take place in Kashmir on 27 July; some will take place in August. What is the Government’s assessment of how free and fair these elections will be? Will they be monitoring them? I should declare that I run a Muslim charity; I did not declare this on the first Question when I asked about Muslim charities.

I reassure the noble Baroness that we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Promoting human rights is a core part of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement and programmes in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns with its Government at a senior level—I mentioned Minister Falconer’s visit in June. I reassure the noble Baroness that we maintain regular contact and that we are concerned. We want to ensure a peaceful resolution and dialogue, and we certainly support all efforts to maintain democratic accountability.

I reassure the noble Baroness that we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Promoting human rights is a core part of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement and programmes in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns with its Government at a senior level—I mentioned Minister Falconer’s visit in June. I reassure the noble Baroness that we maintain regular contact and that we are concerned. We want to ensure a peaceful resolution and dialogue, and we certainly support all efforts to maintain democratic accountability.