§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian Government concerning the recent violence against Christians in India. [129661]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns over attacks on religious minorities with the Indian Home Minister, L. K. Advani, during this visit to London in June. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed freedom of religion with the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Jaswant Singh, during his visit to India in April. We will continue to make our concerns known.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of attacks on Christians and their places of worship in(a) Uttar Pradesh, (b) Andhra Pradesh, (c) Karnataka and (d) Goa in India. [129520]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We are aware of attacks on Christians in India, including the murder of a Brother George Kuzhikandham in Uttar Pradesh and the bomb attacks on churches in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh in June. We regularly raise our concerns over incidents of religious intolerance with the Indian Government. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the Bill in Uttar Pradesh introducing restrictions on the use and construction of places of worship in India; and what representations he has made to the Indian Government. [129710]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 7 July 2000]: We are aware of the Uttar Pradesh Religious Places Bill. Although we have not discussed the Bill with the Indian Government, we have regularly raised our concerns over incidents of religious intolerance in India. The Indian authorities can be in no doubt about our commitment to freedom of religion and the rights of minorities.