Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, what steps they are taking to address the concerns of the indigenous people of Nagaland about the public auction of the body parts of their ancestors.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We recognise the important global contribution that all Indigenous Peoples make to climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive and sustainable development, and support global efforts to recognise and advance their contribution.
It is for businesses and auction rooms to consider the consent and licensing provisions of the UK Human Tissue Act 2004. Those who sell or purchase human remains may also be subject to their own professional standards and codes of conduct.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights impact of the conflict in Myanmar on the indigenous people of Nagaland; and when Government representatives last visited Naga territories in (1) India, and (2) Myanmar.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and its impact on all communities, including those in border regions. We are aware of reports that the violence and instability have affected indigenous populations in neighbouring areas, including the Naga people. We condemn all human rights atrocities committed in Myanmar, notably by the military regime. In April, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar calling for the military regime to fully respect and protect the human rights of all persons in Myanmar, including ethnic and religious minorities. British Officials have not recently visited the Naga territories in India, and have not been able to visit Naga territories in Myanmar since the coup in February 2021.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of civil society, youth and religious organisations in negotiating reconciliation and restorative justice in (1) conflict areas with disputed boundaries, and (2) Nagaland.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
His Majesty's Government recognises the vital role that civil society, youth, and religious organisations play in fostering reconciliation and promoting restorative justice in conflict-affected regions. These actors are often uniquely placed to build trust, mediate dialogue, and support inclusive peacebuilding processes at the grassroots level.
In relation to conflict areas with disputed boundaries, the Government continues to support initiatives that empower local communities and civil society actors to engage in dialogue, reduce tensions, and promote peaceful coexistence. With regard to Nagaland, while the UK does not have a direct role in the peace process, we continue to monitor developments closely.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their obligations, as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to the indigenous people of Nagaland.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK is committed to human rights globally. We recognise the important global contribution that all Indigenous Peoples make to climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive and sustainable development, and support global efforts to recognise and advance their contribution.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of UK aid delivered to (1) Nigeria, (2) Ghana, and (3) other Sub-Saharan African countries, was spent on (a) clinical training, and (b) strengthening health systems, in those countries in each of the past three years.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains committed to global health. Strong, national health systems are the foundation for all aspects of health, from essential childhood immunisation to global health security. We align investments behind the priorities of partner countries. In Nigeria, the LAFIYA-UK programme strengthens systems to improve health and nutrition services. The proportion of UK aid spent on health from the bilateral budget was 11 per cent in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and 19 per cent in 2024-25. In Ghana, our Partnership Beyond Aid and Leave No One Behind programmes have improved quality, efficiency and resilience in the health system, and the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups. The proportion of UK aid spent on health from the bilateral budget was 23 per cent in 2022-23, 30 per cent in 2023-2024, and 19 per cent in 2024-2025. The UK also provides significant support to strengthening the global health workforce through multilateral investments such as the World Health Organisation, World Bank and the Global Health Initiatives, who support in-service clinical training for health workers. Our multilateral contribution on global health totalled £3.1 billion in 2021-2023 and the Department of Health and Social Care's Global Health Workforce Programme (£15 million from 2023-2026) supports the development of the health workforce in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States of America on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and its effectiveness to date in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We have not directly discussed the African Growth and Opportunity Act with the US administration. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals will require collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all partners towards that vision, including to reduce barriers to trade to support growth and development.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the America First Trade Policy on the Government's aid policy in relation to the least developed countries.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We are monitoring and assessing the implications of the evolving US trade policies on our partner countries, including emerging and developing economies. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships and work to reduce barriers to trade given its importance to growth and development.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the state of UK–USA donor coordination, and of the impact of the reduction of spending of the United States Agency for International Development in sub-Saharan African.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We are closely monitoring developments and assessing the implications of the US funding cuts across all humanitarian and development sectors, including joint and coordinated programming.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of internally displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and what steps they have taken to support the provision of urgent humanitarian relief in that region.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
An estimated 2.7 million people were considered displaced in North Kivu in December 2024, though since then over 700,000 people have been re-displaced throughout M23 advances. The UK is deeply concerned by this critical humanitarian situation. At the UN Security Council, the UK called on all parties not to obstruct the vital services that humanitarians are providing, and to cease hostilities and uphold the protection of humanitarian workers, as outlined in international humanitarian law. We've urged all parties to ensure humanitarian corridors to restore essential services and enable the safe passage of civilians and aid. The UK remains committed to supporting those most in need, providing over £62 million this year in lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and (2) the African Union, to promote an end to the conflict in eastern DRC.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi to express his deep concern about M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces' advances and urge a return to peaceful negotiations. I spoke to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) Foreign Minister to emphasise the importance of engaging in African-led processes in good faith. The UK is engaging with the African Union and partners across Africa on how to promote immediate de-escalation in eastern DRC. I also spoke with the Angolan Foreign Minister to offer continued UK support for their efforts under the Luanda process throughout their upcoming chairing of the African Union.