Asked by: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated - 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 (HL12024), whether they will now answer the question put: namely, 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)
As I stated in my response to Question HL11399, all our education programmes in Pakistan are subject to due diligence, and any materials provided under those programmes are reviewed for equity across gender, ability, ethnicity, and religion before being shared with government counterparts.
On the broader issue of textbooks used in Pakistani schools, we are clear that any incitement to hatred or violence is unacceptable and has no place in education, and we urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure that all teaching materials used in their schools meet the relevant United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (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, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (HL12023), whether they will now answer the question put: namely, 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)
As I stated in my response to Question HL11399, all our education programmes in Pakistan are subject to due diligence, and any materials provided under those programmes are reviewed for equity across gender, ability, ethnicity, and religion before being shared with government counterparts.
On the broader issue of textbooks used in Pakistani schools, we are clear that any incitement to hatred or violence is unacceptable and has no place in education, and we urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure that all teaching materials used in their schools meet the relevant United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (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 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 Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions there have been under section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006 in (1) England and Wales, (2) Scotland and (3) Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
There have been 52 prosecutions for offences under section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006 in England and Wales since 2011, when data first became available. These statistics are routinely published by the Home Office as part of its quarterly reporting on the ‘Operation of Police Powers under the Terrorism Act2000 and subsequent legislation’. Data on prosecutions in Scotland is covered by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). Annual statistics regarding Northern Ireland Terrorism Legislation are separately published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
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.