Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding (1) the closure of the village of al-Mughayyir for three weeks, and (2) the arrest of 50 of al-Mughayyir’s residents.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have not raised this case specifically with the Israeli authorities but we stress to them the damage that their restrictions on movement, access, and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians. We are frustrated by the reports of access restrictions to the village of al-Mughayyir and instances of settler-related violence. All Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and security. As the occupying power, we urge Israel to fulfil its responsibilities, including ensuring the protection of the civilian population, including from acts of violence by Israeli settlers. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made this clear most recently in a phone call with the Israeli chargé d'affaires on July 4.
Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what analysis they have made of revenue flows to the Myanmar military; and what steps they are taking to stem those flows.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have led international efforts to reduce the military regime's access to revenue, arms and equipment. On 31 January we announced our fourteenth round of sanctions, targeting those who profit from the supply of aviation fuel to the Myanmar Air Force. Following the coup, we strengthened our overseas business risk guidance to ensure that UK businesses are doing thorough due diligence in Myanmar to avoid exposure to the military and its business interests.
We continue to work with our partners to understand how we can take targeted and proportionate action to reduce the military's access to funds to facilitate its campaign of violence.
Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to stop human rights violations, and (2) to ensure accountability, in Myanmar, following the sanctions introduced since the military took power in that country two years ago.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are clear that there must be accountability for atrocities committed in Myanmar. We condemn the ongoing serious human rights violations by the Myanmar military. We will continue to raise these issues on the international stage, including at the UN Security Council. We have established and funded the Myanmar Witness programme to collect and verify evidence of serious human rights violations and abuses.
On 25 August 2022, the UK announced its intention to intervene in the International Court of Justice case regarding Myanmar's compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, in relation to acts committed against the Rohingya.
Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking following the adoption of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2669 on the situation in Myanmar.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The first UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution on Myanmar, led by the UK, demands an end to violence and urges immediate action by the military regime to fully implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. The resolution requested the UN Secretary-General or his Special Envoy on Myanmar to provide an oral report to the UN Security Council (UNSC) by March. The meeting will take place in March. The resolution is an important step towards further UNSC scrutiny and action on the situation in Myanmar. We are working closely with our partners in New York to seize the momentum of this resolution.
Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase their provision of humanitarian aid to the government of Myanmar; and what assessment they have made of the change in the needs of the population of that country since the military took control in 2021.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We remain strongly committed to helping those most in need in Myanmar. The UK remains one of the leading donors. Since the coup on 1st February 2021, the UK has provided over £100 million to support those in need of humanitarian assistance, to deliver healthcare and education for the most vulnerable, and to protect civic space. We are also working closely with civil society and local organisations to help build the resilience of communities and the foundations for a more open, inclusive and democratic Myanmar.