Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the letter published in the Financial Times on 14 April, and signed by 18 African and European leaders, which called for an immediate moratorium on all bilateral and multilateral debt payments, both public and private, until the COVID-19 pandemic has passed; and what plans they have, if any, to support that request.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The UK Government is deeply concerned about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public finances of low-income developing countries. During 2020, developing countries were projected to spend around $36 billion on servicing external debts to bilateral, multilateral and private sector creditors. In this time of crisis, it is vital that creditors work together to ensure that servicing debts does not prevent countries protecting their citizens and economies.
The UK, alongside the G20 and the Paris Club of official creditors, has committed to a temporary suspension of debt service repayments from the poorest countries. This official sector effort could provide up to $12 billion of additional fiscal space for eligible countries until the end of the year, allowing their governments to redirect finances towards mitigating the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. This initiative provides time to assess what further assistance these countries may need.
The G20 has called for the private sector creditors to participate on comparable terms and has asked the Multilateral Development Banks to explore whether there are options for them to participate, while maintaining their current credit ratings and low cost of funding which are important for supporting their client countries.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with other G20 leaders to extend the agreement reached on 15 April, to suspend debt payments owed by 77 of the world’s poorest countries, to include the (1) the World Bank, and (2) the African Development Bank.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The UK Government is deeply concerned about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public finances of low-income developing countries. The UK, alongside the G20 and the Paris Club of official creditors, has committed to a temporary suspension of debt service repayments from the poorest countries.
The UK, together with other G20 Finance Ministers, has asked the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to explore options for them to participate in the G20 initiative, while maintaining their current credit ratings and low cost of funding which are important for supporting their client countries. The MDBs are currently conducting analysis and will report back to the G20.
During 2020, developing countries were projected to spend around $13 billion on servicing external debts to multilateral creditors. In response to COVID-19, the international financial institutions (including the World Bank and African Development Bank) have made over $300 billion of finance available for developing countries over the coming 15 months.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States about joining its International Religious Freedom Alliance; what assessment they have made of that Alliance; and what consultation they have undertaken with civil society and other interested parties about the effects of joining that Alliance.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has held discussions with the US and other countries about joining the Alliance. We will be announcing our decision on our membership shortly.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to hosting a ministerial conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2020 or 2021.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief is a longstanding human rights priority for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO has already agreed to host in 2020 conferences on Preventing Sexual Violence and COP26 then co-host a conference on the Equal Rights Coalition on LGBT rights. We will announce a decision on whether the UK will host a ministerial level conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief shortly.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) human, and (2) financial, resources have been made available to support the Office of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
?Promoting Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) globally is a key priority of this Government. The office of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief is supported by a Chief of Staff, and we are recruiting an Assistant Private Secretary. In addition, we also have a FoRB team whose work includes providing policy advice and support to the Special Envoy and other Ministers. For this financial year, we have agreed the Special Envoy’s office will receive £73,453 to cover travel and administration costs. Future funding will be decided at a later stage.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have been invited to attend the United States National Prayer Breakfast at the White House on 6 Feb.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Both I and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief plan to attend the US National Prayer Breakfast on 6 February in, Washington DC.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to negotiate a United Nations Security Council Resolution calling on all governments in the Middle East and North Africa region to (1) ensure the protection and security of Christians, and other faith minorities, (2) facilitate the establishment of security and protection arrangements for Christians, and other faith minorities, within the legal and governance structures, and (3) permit UN observers to monitor the protection and security arrangements for Christians and other faith minorities, in each of those countries.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are liaising with the UK mission to the UN in New York on how best to implement this recommendation. We are keen to work with all governments in the Middle East and North Africa region and support them to protect Christians and all religious minorities from persecution. The Government remains committed to implementing all the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro's Review in full and in a way that will bring real improvements to the lives of those persecuted because of their faith or belief.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the International Religious Freedom Alliance launched by the United States Secretary of State on 18 July; and what consideration they have given to joining that Alliance.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The United States State Department are yet to share details with us on the proposed International Religious Freedom Alliance. When we receive more information, we will consider our approach.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will now recognise Palestinian statehood, following the launch of the United States' Prosperity to Peace initiative.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are clear that we want to see the creation of a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state - living in peace and security, side by side with Israel. The UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. Bilateral recognition in itself cannot end the occupation. Without a negotiated settlement the occupation and the problems that come with it will continue.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the continued viability of the two state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The two-state solution is the only viable long-term solution. It is the only way to permanently end the Arab-Israeli conflict, preserve Israel's Jewish and democratic identity and realise Palestinian national aspirations. The UK is strongly committed to a two-state solution and we continue to encourage direct negotiations towards a secure Israel standing alongside a sovereign Palestinian state.