Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) implementation of Recommendation 35 of the Colonna Review, which calls for the removal of hate speech, incitement to violence, and antisemitic references from educational materials in UNRWA schools; and what evidence they have that UK-funded support has contributed to progress on that reform.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK continues to support implementation of the Colonna Report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to ensure they meet the highest standards on neutrality and integrity. 21 recommendations from the report have been completed, recommendation 35 is in progress. As per UNRWA's internal regulations, all references to hate speech, incitement to violence, and/or antisemitism are strictly banned from host-country textbooks, where locally produced supplements and materials are developed by UNRWA for use in its schools. The textbook review process in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria has been finalised, with findings shared with host countries and further dialogue taking place to address outstanding issues in line with UN and UNESCO standards.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China about the release of Ezra Jin Mingri and other pastors and members of the Zion Church who were arrested on 10 October.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 23 October in the House of Commons to Question 83339, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below: The UK Government is aware of reports concerning the detention of Zion Church members in China. We continue to follow developments closely and regularly raise human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. The UK remains committed to promoting human rights and the rule of law globally.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - 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 by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education, Review of Pakistani Textbooks, published in August; and what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan about reports of harmful and discriminatory content in the curriculum.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer given on 6 November to question HL11399.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what verification of education materials funded through UK aid in Pakistan has been undertaken; whether it has been verified that those materials meet UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, and equality; and what plans they have to publish the outcome of any such verification.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer given on 6 November to question HL11399.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that UK aid channelled through international partners for education in Pakistan is not used to fund the teaching of intolerant or discriminatory content.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Our education programmes in Pakistan focus on marginalised communities and set ambitious targets for reaching girls and religious minorities, including through: improvements in teaching quality, inclusion, and system reform, which contribute to curriculum development that is aligned with international best practice. All programmes are subject to due diligence and safeguarding and materials are reviewed for equity across gender, ability, ethnicity, and religion before being shared with government counterparts.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether UK aid supporting education in Pakistan ensures that the content delivered meets UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, and equality, including towards minorities, and women and girls.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Our education programmes in Pakistan focus on marginalised communities and set ambitious targets for reaching girls and religious minorities, including through: improvements in teaching quality, inclusion, and system reform, which contribute to curriculum development that is aligned with international best practice. All programmes are subject to due diligence and safeguarding and materials are reviewed for equity across gender, ability, ethnicity, and religion before being shared with government counterparts.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ringfence a proportion of UK aid for Pakistan’s education sector to support curriculum reform in line with UNESCO standards.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Our education programmes in Pakistan focus on marginalised communities and set ambitious targets for reaching girls and religious minorities, including through: improvements in teaching quality, inclusion, and system reform, which contribute to curriculum development that is aligned with international best practice. All programmes are subject to due diligence and safeguarding and materials are reviewed for equity across gender, ability, ethnicity, and religion before being shared with government counterparts.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it is their position that British Overseas Territories should be governed by the principle of self-determination; and if so, how they have applied the principle in the case of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The right of self-determination applies to all peoples under international law, including those of the British Overseas Territories. The British Indian Ocean territory has no permanent population and has never been self-governing. The bilateral agreement reached between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago reflects this context and has absolutely no bearing on the wider UK government policy regarding our other Overseas Territories.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Foreign Secretary will meet members of the Chagossian community who live in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Minister for the Overseas Territories has met with members of the Chagossian community twice since the election, including a number of Chagossians who live in the United Kingdom. Ministers and Officials will continue to regularly engage with members of the Chagossian community in the UK and internationally on a range of issues.
Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are continuing to hold talks with the government of Mauritius regarding the sovereignty of the British Indian Overseas territory.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Yes, talks with the Government of Mauritius continue. The UK's priority is to ensure the long term continued effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia. Mauritius has also publicly committed to this goal.