Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government who are the intended beneficiaries of the ‘Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria’ programme.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

Nigerian citizens exposed to conflict or at risk of being exposed to conflict are the intended beneficiaries of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme (SPRiNG). SPRiNG aims to deliver a more stable and peaceful Nigeria in which its citizens benefit from reduced levels of violence.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government who (1) has been, or (2) will be, consulted in central Nigeria regarding the ‘Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria’ programme.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme (SPRiNG) has access to a large network of subject matter experts from Nigeria. This includes farmers, pastoralists, politicians, academics and civil society figures. The evidence, research, data and analysis we collect from these experts allows us to understand the local context of the areas SPRiNG is designed to operate in. The FCDO welcomes further collaboration with civil society in Nigeria on the SPRiNG programme.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 14 March (HL2885), what percentage of aid provided to Nigeria between 2015 and 2024 has been allocated to central states.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

The UK remains committed to supporting a more stable, resilient and prosperous Nigeria. The FCDO does not capture HMG Official Development Assistance (ODA) figures on a regional level in Nigeria. Further information relating to UK ODA can be found on the Government's website in the April 2024 publication of Statistics on International Development: provisional UK aid spend 2023.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 12 February (HL1985), what percentage of the UK’s 2023-24 humanitarian aid package to Sudan will support internally displaced persons facing extreme hunger in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile regions of Sudan.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

Sudan currently represents the largest displacement crisis in the world, including over 9 million people internally displaced. This financial year, the UK bilateral official development assistance to Sudan will nearly double to £89 million, up from nearly £50 million in 2023/24. We do not hold information specifically on what percentage of the UK's 2023/2024 humanitarian aid package supported Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile regions. However, the lack of humanitarian access across Sudan, including to IDP camps, continues to make it extremely difficult for humanitarian organisations to provide the necessary levels of assistance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the ‘Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria’ programme will include the Middle Belt in its remit; and if so, which towns and villages it will include.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

All of Nigeria's central and northern states are candidates for the Strengthening Peace and Resilience (SPRiNG) in Nigeria programme. This is because all states are either already affected by conflict or at risk of conflict breaking out.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The limited access environment and ongoing internet and telecommunication disruptions in Sudan means that reporting on the ground is extremely restricted, so making an accurate assessment of the humanitarian situation on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions is difficult. According to UNHCR, an estimated 332,582 people have fled to Blue Nile and 445,338 to South Kordofan since 15 April 2023. The recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) snapshot for Sudan reveals that 755,000 people are in catastrophe levels of food insecurity (IPC 5) in 14 states including South Kordofan and Blue Nile. This is the largest number of people in IPC 4/5 in the world, greater than Gaza, South Sudan, Mali and Afghanistan combined. The UK continues to press the warring parties to concede to unimpeded humanitarian access to allow the provision of, and access to, lifesaving aid in Sudan.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to fund civil society organisations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile which provide emergency assistance to civilians in Sudan.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The FCDO provides a range of support to and through Sudanese civil society organisations. This includes providing funding access to CSOs through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, technical support to advance Localisation in humanitarian action in Sudan, and capacity support to the National NGO Forum. However, we do not earmark this support to particular locations or ask for geographical breakdowns for this kind of support.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Bellamy on 16 June and 2 August 2023 (HL8197 and HL9550), whether they will publish a response to the Law Commission Report Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law, published in July 2022, particularly Recommendation 42.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the recommendation for reform of the Marriage Act 1949 in paragraph 8.50, page 135, of The Casey Review into Opportunity and Integration, published in December 2016.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of the Marriage Act 1949 and other marriage law with the right to freedom of religion or belief, as Church of England and Church in Wales marriage ceremonies fulfil legal requirements and are legally recognised, while other religious ceremonies may not be.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect the spousal rights of women who have been married outside of the legal framework for weddings in England and Wales.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the human rights situation in Tajikistan, in particular the right to freedom of religion or belief for the Pamiri minority; and what representations they have made to the government of Tajikistan to address ongoing discrimination and abuses against this group.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, as guaranteed under international human rights law. We are clear that incitement of violence or hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief is unacceptable. Through our Embassy in Dushanbe, we monitor closely the human rights situation in Tajikistan, including the treatment of the Pamiri population in Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). We regularly raise our concerns with Tajik authorities. Minister of State Stephen Doughty and Minister of State Hamish Falconer have separately encouraged Tajik counterparts to raise Tajikistan's compliance with international human rights.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Uzbekistan on their promises to eliminate restrictions on freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities and amending the 2021 law on freedom of conscience and religious organisations.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK regularly raises concerns about the human rights situation in Uzbekistan with the Uzbek authorities, including during Ministerial meetings. No specific representations have made been on the issue of freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities in recent meetings. However, the Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories spoke to Deputy Foreign Minister Madrakhimov on 31 October and raised wider human rights issues. We will continue to monitor changes to legislation that impact minority groups.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations on page 20 of the report 'Disability Equality in Armenia', published by the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust in April, and in particular, the recommendation for the UK to provide further assistance to refugees from Nagorno–Karabakh in Armenia, including bespoke assistance for refugees with disabilities.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains in close contact with the Armenian Government and our international partners to assess humanitarian needs in the region, including for those who have entered Armenia as a result of conflict. We are ready to consider any further requests for assistance where needs are identified by the Armenian authorities and international humanitarian relief organisations.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the claim that the mass displacement of Armenians from Nagorno–Karabakh constitutes ethnic cleansing.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to encourage the Azerbaijani authorities to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The UK Government's position remains that it is essential that all credible allegations of atrocity crimes during conflict are urgently, transparently and fully investigated by the relevant competent authorities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Azerbaijan since July regarding the release of Armenian hostages.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK continues to urge the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that those detained during its longstanding conflict with Armenia, or during September 2023's military action in Nagorno-Karabakh, are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. We have been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war, and the return of the remains of the deceased, throughout the period of conflict in the region. The Foreign Secretary met Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in July and urged them to seize the opportunity to secure an historic peace treaty.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Foreign Secretary's statement in his Progressive Realism newsletter published on 16 September that Azerbaijan has been able to "liberate" territory it lost in the early 1990s, what is their assessment of the current situation in Nagorno–Karabakh.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains steadfast in our support and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. The UK Government was clear during the military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 that only peaceful diplomacy, not force, should have been used to resolve conflict. This position has not changed. We will work with Armenia and Azerbaijan to promote a prosperous, peaceful and stable South Caucasus. We will continue to work alongside our trusted international partners to help Armenia and Azerbaijan to secure a lasting peace agreement through peaceful negotiations. The UK supported displaced people in the region with £1 million funding to ICRC and we continue to work with partners to ensure humanitarian and other needs are met.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Human Rights Watch Kyrgyzstan: Reject Proposed Law on 'Extremist' Materials, published on 1 October, that legislative changes proposed by the government of Kyrgyzstan that would criminalise the possession of extremist materials present a risk to the right to freedom of religion or belief in that country; and whether they have made representations to that government in this regard.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are following closely the progress of several proposed laws aimed at overhauling state religious policy in Kyrgyzstan. We share many of the concerns raised in Human Rights Watch's report about the draft laws, particularly regarding loose definitions of 'extremist' materials and on proportionality of financial penalties. Along with our international partners, our Embassy has been engaging with experts on the proposed legislation to fully understand the implications of the proposed changes. We will continue to track progress and encourage Kyrgyzstan to ensure fundamental rights are protected, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.