Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to take steps to place Myanmar as an urgent item on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council following the military-run elections in that country.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to support the aspirations of the people of Myanmar for a peaceful, democratic future. However, there is little sign that the recent elections will achieve an end to violence, advance dialogue, or address the urgent requirements to allow access for humanitarian assistance and bring an end to human rights violations.
In December 2025, the UK convened the UN Security Council to discuss the Myanmar elections, emphasising ongoing human rights concerns and the humanitarian situation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elections-under-the-current-circumstances-in-myanmar-risk-provoking-further-violence-uk-statement-on-myanmar
We have also continued to signal concern over the election conditions, including at the UN Third Committee on Human Rights in November 2025:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-uk-is-concerned-by-the-ongoing-violence-in-myanmar-including-escalating-human-rights-violations-and-increasing-reports-of-sexual-andgender-based
We continue to support ASEAN's leadership on the crisis, including the work of the Special Envoy and the need for full implementation of the Five Point Consensus. In addition, we will continue to use our penholder role to spotlight the Myanmar crisis and raise our concerns with international allies within the UN Security Council and other international fora.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking with international allies in response to the military regime's elections in Myanmar.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to support the aspirations of the people of Myanmar for a peaceful, democratic future. However, there is little sign that the recent elections will achieve an end to violence, advance dialogue, or address the urgent requirements to allow access for humanitarian assistance and bring an end to human rights violations.
In December 2025, the UK convened the UN Security Council to discuss the Myanmar elections, emphasising ongoing human rights concerns and the humanitarian situation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elections-under-the-current-circumstances-in-myanmar-risk-provoking-further-violence-uk-statement-on-myanmar
We have also continued to signal concern over the election conditions, including at the UN Third Committee on Human Rights in November 2025:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-uk-is-concerned-by-the-ongoing-violence-in-myanmar-including-escalating-human-rights-violations-and-increasing-reports-of-sexual-andgender-based
We continue to support ASEAN's leadership on the crisis, including the work of the Special Envoy and the need for full implementation of the Five Point Consensus. In addition, we will continue to use our penholder role to spotlight the Myanmar crisis and raise our concerns with international allies within the UN Security Council and other international fora.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court under Article 14 of the Rome Statute.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer he received on 5 November 2024 in response to Question HL1783. He will be aware that the case referred to in that answer is currently proceeding at the International Court of Justice, while separately, the International Criminal Court continues to pursue its investigation of crimes against the Rohingya.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking in response to the deaths, injuries, arrests and incarcerations during the protests in Iran, including sanctions, travel bans and initiating investigations into potential international crimes.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to Baroness Chapman's oral repeat of the Foreign Secretary's statement on 15 January.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the attacks on a hospital in Ilam, Iran, and the reports that tear gas was used to abduct wounded protestors.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to Baroness Chapman's oral repeat of the Foreign Secretary's statement on 15 January.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (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 5 January (HL13151), where the information about whether the conviction of Jimmy Lai represents a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is located in the statement or response in the House of Lords on 17 December 2025 (HL Deb cols 798–806).
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
At Column 799, in the Foreign Secretary's statement.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of supporting the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism to continue the work of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the response he was given to Question HL9366 on 14 July 2025.
Further to that response, on 12 December, the UK issued a formal statement alongside international partners calling for any tensions or disputes to be resolved peacefully and diplomatically. We maintain close coordination with international partners to ensure alignment on human rights actions, including at the Human Rights Council. Recommendations from the Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability are being translated into concrete actions measures or actions to strengthen accountability, reinforce mechanisms for monitoring and investigation, and improve documentation of international human rights and humanitarian law violations. We continue to help victims organise, prepare and be ready to participate fully when the transitional justice process resumes. And we continue actively supporting multilateral efforts to promote peace and stability in Ethiopia, engaging with the African Union and backing implementation of the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, including funding monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support or co-sponsor statements and resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council relating to Ethiopia; and how they intend to engage with European partners in this context.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the response he was given to Question HL9366 on 14 July 2025.
Further to that response, on 12 December, the UK issued a formal statement alongside international partners calling for any tensions or disputes to be resolved peacefully and diplomatically. We maintain close coordination with international partners to ensure alignment on human rights actions, including at the Human Rights Council. Recommendations from the Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability are being translated into concrete actions measures or actions to strengthen accountability, reinforce mechanisms for monitoring and investigation, and improve documentation of international human rights and humanitarian law violations. We continue to help victims organise, prepare and be ready to participate fully when the transitional justice process resumes. And we continue actively supporting multilateral efforts to promote peace and stability in Ethiopia, engaging with the African Union and backing implementation of the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, including funding monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of the African Union in supporting peace and stability in Ethiopia; and what discussions they have had with the African Union regarding Ethiopia.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the response he was given to Question HL9366 on 14 July 2025.
Further to that response, on 12 December, the UK issued a formal statement alongside international partners calling for any tensions or disputes to be resolved peacefully and diplomatically. We maintain close coordination with international partners to ensure alignment on human rights actions, including at the Human Rights Council. Recommendations from the Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability are being translated into concrete actions measures or actions to strengthen accountability, reinforce mechanisms for monitoring and investigation, and improve documentation of international human rights and humanitarian law violations. We continue to help victims organise, prepare and be ready to participate fully when the transitional justice process resumes. And we continue actively supporting multilateral efforts to promote peace and stability in Ethiopia, engaging with the African Union and backing implementation of the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, including funding monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of establishing Ethiopia as a priority country for investigations of alleged war crimes.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the response he was given to Question HL9366 on 14 July 2025.
Further to that response, on 12 December, the UK issued a formal statement alongside international partners calling for any tensions or disputes to be resolved peacefully and diplomatically. We maintain close coordination with international partners to ensure alignment on human rights actions, including at the Human Rights Council. Recommendations from the Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability are being translated into concrete actions measures or actions to strengthen accountability, reinforce mechanisms for monitoring and investigation, and improve documentation of international human rights and humanitarian law violations. We continue to help victims organise, prepare and be ready to participate fully when the transitional justice process resumes. And we continue actively supporting multilateral efforts to promote peace and stability in Ethiopia, engaging with the African Union and backing implementation of the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, including funding monitoring and compliance mechanisms.