Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many members of the Taliban they have sanctioned so far and how this compares with the sanctions imposed by other NATO member countries.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We have repeatedly condemned the Taliban's human rights abuses, both bilaterally and internationally. The UK imposes UN sanctions on the Taliban, which lists 135 individuals and five organisations. The Government has not introduced sanctions on the Taliban since they took power in 2021, but we keep all evidence and potential designations under close review. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact. The EU and the US have imposed human rights sanctions on members of the Taliban since 2021, and we remain in close contact on this and other ways to hold the Taliban accountable.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan following the recent introduction of the law on "the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" and the ban on them training in any medical capacity.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is deeply concerned at reports of a ban on women accessing medical training in Afghanistan and have repeatedly and strongly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls. Officials have directly pressed the Taliban to reverse their repressive so-called 'vice and virtue' law and have been raising the issue of the Taliban ban on women accessing medical education and training in Afghanistan since 4 December. We consider the Taliban's actions to be short-sighted and a grotesque backwards-step. Our ongoing support to those Afghans most in need is more essential than ever, and we remain committed that at least 50% of those reached by UK aid are women and girls.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when was their last engagement with the Taliban, what was discussed and whether the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan was raised in those exchanges.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We have repeatedly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls' rights, both bilaterally and internationally. Officials from the Doha-based UK Mission to Afghanistan continue to press Taliban acting ministers and Afghan officials on human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Officials visit Kabul regularly, raising issues directly with senior members of the Taliban, including their unacceptable policies towards women and girls. Most recently, on 16 December, officials raised the ban on women accessing medical education and training in Afghanistan and urged the Taliban to reverse the ban.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they last undertook a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS); when they will they undertake a JACS update; and whether there will be a focus on particularly vulnerable groups, including consideration of atrocities against women and girls and members of the Hazara community.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government conducted a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) for Afghanistan in 2019. Given the sensitive context, this document has not been made public. An internal review of the 2019 JACS undertaken in July 2022 judged that the underlying conflict drivers had not changed. We continue to monitor the situation in Afghanistan closely, with a focus on the impact on the most vulnerable, drawing on internal assessments and external expert analysis. The decision to publicly release UK-commissioned reports and assessments is made on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to include specific references to older women and widows in their National Statement for the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2025.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK's National Statement will highlight our commitment to reaffirming the principles of the Beijing Declaration and putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do. It will also highlight the UK's commitment to promoting the rights and freedoms of all women and girls in all their diversity, including those of all ages. We support a strong and active civil society voice at CSW. The FCDO and OEO will consult with a range of civil society organisations, including women's rights organisations before and during CSW itself.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are providing aid to the government of Chad to help, and ensure the security of, refugees arriving in that country from Sudan; to support the local host community; and to prevent an outbreak of conflict.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Sudan's displacement crisis is the largest in the world. 11 million people have been forcibly displaced and over 900,000 refugees and returnees have arrived in Chad. The UK recognises the severity of the crisis and has provided £55.8m to support the response in Eastern Chad since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023. We have also played a significant role in drawing international attention to the conflict, notably through the Duchess of Edinburgh's visit to Adre, Eastern Chad, in October this year, where she met with refugees crossing the border.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to make Chad one of the focus countries for the UK’s UN Security Council 1325 National Action Plan.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government supports the approach and ambition of the UK's 5th Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan and intends to build on this ambition during the 25th anniversary year, advancing implementation and focusing on new priorities. Although Chad is not currently a National Action Plan focus country, we continue to dedicate time and resource to delivering our strategic objectives in non-focus countries. Since 2018, the UK has dedicated over £2.9 million to the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme in Chad. The UK continues to provide support to the response in Eastern Chad, providing £55.8 million since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will support, and help with the creation of, a United Nations convention on the rights of older persons.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what planning applications the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have made to fly flags that do not have deemed consent.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not made any planning applications to fly flags that do not have deemed consent in 2024.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the closure of the Afghan Embassy in London will have on the United Kingdom's wider strategy on Afghanistan and its commitment to other policies including the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff. This decision was not made by the UK Government. UK policy towards Afghanistan has not changed, especially regarding women and girls. In line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Afghanistan is responsible for the appointment and termination of staff at its embassies. We recognise the closure of the embassy is likely to create challenges for Afghans in the UK who require consular services.
The FCDO recommends against all travel to Afghanistan.