Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to facilitate safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The UK is deeply concerned by the limited ability of humanitarian actors to get help to civilians. On 25 February, the UK issued a statement following the Foreign Secretary's visits to Kinshasa and Kigali to announce measures against Rwanda and call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful engagement with African-led peace processes, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory. The UK has committed £20 million to International Committee of the Red Cross for their 2025 appeal, a proportion of which will support a programme that includes mediating safe passage. The UK condemns human rights abuses by all armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call on all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law, protect women and girls and combat impunity.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to engage private finance and the private sector in efforts to support a lasting peace within eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the surrounding region.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The UK is committed to supporting a thriving private sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) - recognising the enormous potential for climate-smart growth and that a more resilient economy will mean a more resilient DRC. UK officials regularly engage with the private sector on the conflict in eastern DRC, including on how we can best support sustainable peace. British Embassy Kinshasa has also offered support to British companies affected by the conflict. The UK also supports improved transparency and governance in the mining sector, in support of sustainable peace in the region. Exploitation of natural resources fuels the business models of armed groups and we are clear that this must stop. The UK therefore supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the flow of minerals and other natural resources to Rwanda from territory occupied by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The exploitation of natural resources fuels the business models of armed groups. We are clear that this must stop. Everyone in the region stands to benefit from peace. That is why we announced in February a set of actions, alongside action from other international partners, to encourage all parties to return to the negotiating table. We will not let this conflict be forgotten. The UK also supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which aims to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan regarding the ongoing detention and reported mistreatment of 23 Armenian hostages who were taken from Nagorno–Karabakh in September 2023; and what steps they are taking, in coordination with international partners, to ensure Azerbaijan upholds its commitments under international law.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK urges the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that those detained during September 2023's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. Our Embassy in Baku pays close attention to the cases and have sought regular updates to stay informed about progress. We have also been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war. The Minister of State Stephen Doughty raised these issues with Azerbaijan's Presidential Advisor, Elchin Amirbayov, during his visit to the UK in October. In a meeting with Azerbaijan's Principal Presidential Advisor, Hikmet Hajiyev, on 10 March, the Minister of State also urged Azerbaijan to seize the opportunity to sign an historic peace deal with Armenia. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have also conveyed these messages.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure that aid distributed to displaced people in Nigeria reaches those displaced by violence in central states committed by armed non-state actors.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The UK funds civil society organisations to provide assistance to people displaced by conflict and violence across Nigeria, so they have access to food, healthcare and nutrition, and protection and water. The UK is a donor to the Start Fund which provides rapid financing in response to small to medium scale crises including helping people affected by conflict, flooding and cholera outbreaks in Nigeria. Additionally, the UK's Strengthening Peace and Resilience programme ('SPRiNG') is working to reduce rural violence in northwest and north-central Nigeria, including supporting collaboration and productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to provide aid to Christian communities in Nigeria facing persecution and violence.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The UK is committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including intercommunal violence and violent extremism. It is important to remember that the perpetrators of this violence do not come from any one ethnic or religious group, and the devastating effects are felt by communities of different faiths and ethnicities. The UK is providing £38 million in programming to Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria supporting locally led solutions in Northern Nigeria to tackle the root causes of intercommunal violence.