Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to the people of Sudan, in particular those in Darfur, following the fall of El Fasher, and what estimate they have made of the number of people who are benefitting from that assistance.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave in response to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians, heard in the House of Lords on 4 November.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they last conducted a joint analysis of conflict and stability assessment for Sudan, and what steps they have taken as a result of the findings of that assessment.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The last Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) assessment for Sudan was completed in 2019. Regular and ongoing analysis, from across the UK Government and from external experts, covering all aspects of the situation in Sudan forms a crucial part of the policy making process.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what involvement the Mass Atrocity Assessment Hub has in assessing the scale and nature of atrocity crimes in Sudan, and how that analysis is shaping the response to those atrocities.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Mass Atrocity Hub is now part of The Conflict and Atrocity Prevention Department, which has been working closely with the Africa Directorate on Sudan since April 2023. Support has included assessing the risk of atrocities in Sudan, providing analytical capabilities to collect, verify and preserve open-source data relating to potential atrocity crimes and violations of international humanitarian law, as well as technical advisory support on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's atrocity prevention and response workstreams.
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 executions and ethnic cleansing in El Fasher and Darfur; what steps they are taking in response; and what plans they have to raise those atrocities at the United Nations Security Council and with countries that support the Rapid Support Forces.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave in response to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians, heard in the House of Lords on 4 November.
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 situation in Sudan, in particular in El Fasher, following that city's fall to the Rapid Support Forces.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave in response to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians, heard in the House of Lords on 4 November.
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 statement made by Diene Keita, a director of the United Nations Population Fund, on a reported mass killing of patients and their families at El Fasher Maternity Hospital in Sudan after the seizure of the city by the Rapid Support Forces; and what steps they are taking in response.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave in response to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians, heard in the House of Lords on 4 November.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Syria concerning the direct targeting of the Druze community, including targeted killings, enforced disappearances and sexual violence; and what steps they are taking to engage with Syria and its approach to protecting religious freedom.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We were deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Druze and Bedouin militias in southern Syria in July, and welcomed the ceasefire brokered by the US. The former Foreign Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister al Shaibani on 18 July to raise our concerns about events in Suwayda and to press the Syrian Government to conduct a full investigation into the crimes committed. We welcome the announcement on 31 July of the formation of a committee to hold a full investigation into the violence. When the former Foreign Secretary Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, met the Foreign Minister and Justice Minister in Damascus on 27 August, he underlined the importance of accountability, including holding to account the government's own forces. We continue to advocate for an inclusive political transition and the protection of rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
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 statements made during the trial of Jimmy Lai that appear to characterise his engagement with foreign governments as a criminal act.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
This Government has been clear that Jimmy Lai's prosecution is politically motivated and that he should be released immediately. Mr Lai's prosecution is evidence that the National Security Law is being used to silence China's critics. Diplomats have attended Jimmy Lai's trial throughout, and his case remains a major priority.
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 reports that artisanal miners are buried in mines in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following severe flooding; and what action they are taking to mobilise international non-governmental organisations and other governments to provide equipment, medical aid and trained rescue teams.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK is saddened by reports of artisanal miners trapped underground in the Lomera gold mining site. We extend our condolences to those affected and continue to monitor the situation. The UK is working to address the underlying causes of flooding and climate vulnerability in the DRC, through programmes that aim to protect standing forests and develop nature-based solutions. The UK supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which promotes transparency and good governance in the mining sector. We are also a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, which guide extractive companies in maintaining safety.
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 reported honour killing in Balochistan; and how UK aid to Pakistan seeks to strengthen protections for those at risk of extra-judicial murders or subjected to violence due to their minority status, ethnic origins or religion or belief.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK Government condemns honour-based violence, including the reported case in Balochistan. Through UK Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), we are supporting progress on human rights in Pakistan through dialogue, technical assistance, and targeted programming. The UK-funded Aawaz II programme convenes influential community leaders and minority representatives to change social behaviours and promote interfaith harmony. At the community level, Aawaz II has reached over 24 million people with information and awareness about rights and government services.