Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have offered support in improving prison conditions through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following reports of rapes at Makala Prison.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
In total, the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) has supported over 1,000 survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to rebuild their lives, and access justice, and we continue to raise human rights violations and prison conditions with the Government of DRC, including the mass rapes that took place at Makala prison in September 2024.
In her role as a supporter of PSVI, the Duchess of Edinburgh raised the ongoing investigation into those rapes during her visit to the DRC in October, and secured a commitment from Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa, that the DRC Ministry of Justice will be pursuing accountability in these cases.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the government of Somalia through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative about evidence of sexual violence by the Somali National Army; and what support, if any, they have provided to the government of Somalia to prevent further sexual violence.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK remains concerned by the human rights situation in Somalia, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and regularly raises these concerns with the Somali Government. Through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI), the UK provides funding to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict in Somalia to strengthen the capacity of Somalia's national security sector to prevent CRSV.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October (HL10875 and HL10876), and with reference to the Montevideo Convention and international law regarding recognition of a state, who they recognise as the government of the state of Palestine; where that government is located; and what are the boundaries of that state.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Palestinian Authority is the legitimate governing authority of the Palestinian state. The UK recognises Palestinian statehood over provisional borders, based on 1967 lines with equal land swaps, to be finalised as part of future negotiations.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of executions and assertion of control in Gaza by Hamas on the prospects for success of the peace process and of Palestinian statehood.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I provided on 21 October to Question HL10148.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report Schools in the Grip of Terror, published by UN Watch in September; and what plans they have to review the funding provided to UNRWA by the UK.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government takes these allegations seriously and expects the UN to investigate these claims. We continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) work on reform and implementation of the Colonna Report to ensure they meet the highest standards on neutrality and integrity. The UK remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees, while ensuring that aid does not contribute to incitement or extremism. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, whether they intend to call on that state (1) to admit the Palestinian refugees living in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan; and (2) to grant them Palestinian citizenship.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, what consideration they have given to the status of "refugee" hitherto applied to residents of Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what boundaries they recognise for the state of Palestine.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government who they recognise as the government of the state of Palestine, and where it is located.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 7 October (HL10285), what steps they have taken to confirm that the commitments made by the Palestinian Authority to reform prisoner payments have been carried out.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the response given on 31 October to question HL10859.