FCO's strategic Programme fund has spend £1.5m

Dear Information Rights Team,
I understand that the FCO's strategic Programme fund has spend £1.5m on a portfolio of projects in China over the last 3 years (Your Ref MIN/15987/2011) .  Can you send me details of these projects specifically: The nature of the project, where they took place, who was involved, the outcome and any other information relating to these projects.  

With Kind Regards

Richard

Response

Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
www.fco.gov.uk

23 November 2011
Dear Richard
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - REQUEST REF: Ref: 1183-11
Thank you for your email of 14 November 2011 asking for details of our human rights projects in China over the last 3 years; specifically the nature of the project, where they took place, who was involved, the outcome and any other information relating to these projects.
I am writing to confirm that we have now completed the search for the information requested.
I can confirm that the FCO does hold information relevant to your request. Please find enclosed some of the information that you requested. Some of the relevant information is exempt and has been withheld under Section 27(1) (a) of the Freedom of Information Act (relations between United Kingdom and any other states).
The exemption in Section 27 is qualified and is subject to the balance of the public interest. This means that a public interest test must be carried out to determine whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Whilst we appreciate the release of this information could increase public understanding of relations between the United Kingdom and China in this case, the effective conduct of the United Kingdom’s international relations, and its ability to protect and promote its interests abroad is of paramount importance.
We believe disclosure of the exempt information would be likely to lead to prejudice to the relations between the UK and China. In particular, if released, the exempt information could jeopardise our ability, and the ability of our partners, to run current and future project work in China. This would reduce the British Government's ability to protect and promote UK interests in China, which would not be in the public interest. Therefore, on balance, we conclude that the public interest is best served in withholding this information.
In keeping with the spirit and effect of the Freedom of Information Act, all information is assumed to be releasable to the public unless it is exempt. The information we have
supplied to you may now be published on our website together with any related information that will provide a key to its wider context.
I hope you are satisfied with this reply. However, if you wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, please write to the Information Rights Team at the Old Admiralty Building, Room SG 120, London SW1A 2PA. E-mail: dp-foi.img@fco.gov.uk. Yu have 40 working days to do so from the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may then apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Information Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the FCO. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
We continually strive to improve our service, so we would welcome your feedback and comments. If you would like to provide feedback, please email our Information Rights Team at: dp-foi.img@fco.gov.uk
You can also find out more about the FCO and freedom of information issues at our Access to Information website: http://foi.fco.gov.uk/en
Yours sincerely,
Victoria White
China Department
We keep and use information in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. We may release this personal information to other UK government departments and public authorities.
Human Rights Projects in China
2008-2011
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office focuses project work on human rights in China into 4 areas: criminal justice, death penalty, freedom of expression and civil society. Our objectives for these projects are to work with the grain to increase the protection and promotion of human rights in China. Our engagement has influenced positive changes in the criminal justice system and prisons and a reduction in the scope and application of the death penalty.
FY 2008/09
Project Title
Spend (GBP)
Reform of China's judicial management system
21,600
Improving Prison Management in China-Developing the Human Rights approach in Two Provinces
34,900
Strengthening defence lawyers' rights by promoting effective implementation of the new Lawyers Law
7,637
Promoting independent monitoring of detention centres in China
68, 696
Towards Independent Prison Monitoring in China
51,833
Reducing Pre-trial Detention: the role of the Procuratorate
24,997
Moving the debate forward: Researching China's use of the death penalty
68,452
Restriction in the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Yunnan Province
30,450
Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty
20,500
Measuring the impact of new foreign correspondent rules on international media coverage of China
30,000
Child participation in reporting and evaluating child rights in China
60,000
FY 2009/10
Project Title
Spend (GBP)
Improving Prison Management in China-Developing the Human Rights
54,140
approach in Two Provinces
Strengthening defence lawyers' rights by promoting effective implementation of the new Lawyers Law
103,641
Promoting independent monitoring of detention centres in China
62, 215
Towards Independent Prison Monitoring in China
49,303
Reducing Pre-trial Detention: the role of the Procuratorate
26,522
Restriction in the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Yunnan Province
98,790
Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty
87,940
Freedom of expression and implementation of access to government information
22,984
Child participation in reporting and evaluating child rights in China
43,350
FY 2010/11
Project Title
Spend (GBP)
Improving Prison Management in China-Developing the Human Rights approach in Two Provinces
56,220
Strengthening defence lawyers' rights by promoting effective implementation of the new Lawyers Law
38,016
Promoting independent monitoring of detention centres in China
55, 977
Towards Independent Prison Monitoring in China
9,637
Restriction in the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in Yunnan Province
26,000
Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty
63,000
Freedom of expression and implementation of access to government information
66,445
Hearing the public voice - enhancing the role of public opinion in government decision making
66,600
Partners for the period 2008-2011
Research institutes/Universities
Beijing Normal University, Renmin University of China, Wuhan University, China Academy of Social Sciences, and Institute for Procuratorial theory of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate;
Government Bodies
- Ministry of Justice, Hunan Provincial High Court, No. 2 Beijing Municipal Procuraterate, Legislative Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Information Office of Chongqing Municipality; and
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Save the Children UK China Programme, International Centre for Prison studies, the Rights Practice, Ipsos MORI, and Great Britain China Centre.