Lord Alton of Liverpool – To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the arrest in Thailand of Montagnard Protestants while attending a funeral and of the dangers they will face if repatriated to Vietnam.
Party: Crossbench
HL5390
ANSWERING MINISTER: BARONESS CHAPMAN OF DARLINGTON – Grouped with
The UK Embassy in Bangkok is following the arrests of Montagnard Protestants in Thailand. This includes liaising with the relevant authorities to understand potential next steps, taking into account the 2024 report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation facing Montagnard Protestants in Vietnam. We continue to urge all governments to uphold their international human rights obligations, including the non-refoulement principle.
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Lord Alton of Liverpool – To ask His Majesty’s Government when they last raised Thailand’s decision not to sign the 1951 Convention on the treatment of refugees with the government of Thailand; and when they last discussed the obligations regarding freedom of religion or belief under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the governments of Thailand and Vietnam, and what response they received.
Party: Crossbench
HL5391
ANSWERING MINISTER: BARONESS CHAPMAN OF DARLINGTON – Grouped with
The UK regularly engages with the Thai government on refugee and asylum issues. The UK’s position regarding the 1951 Convention is well-known in Thailand, including being raised as a question publicly during Thailand’s most recent Universal Periodic Review in November 2021. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific raised Vietnam’s obligations regarding freedom of religion or belief with Vietnams Deputy Foreign Minister during the UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue in October 2024.
