Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proportion of (1) UK, and (2) global, climate finance that is directed to sub-Saharan Africa.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. The Minister will write directly to the Member with a response shortly.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Palestinian National Authority to ensure that Palestinian elections take place to the existing timetable.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have welcomed President Abbas' announcement of legislative and Presidential elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time since 2006. We encourage the Palestinian leadership to work toward strong, inclusive, accountable and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. Free and fair elections are an important and necessary step to this.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) technical, and (2) financial, support they are providing to the Palestinian Central Elections Commission to help ensure free and fair elections are able to take place in the Occupied Palestinian territories.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK does not financially support the Palestinian Central Elections Commission. However, UK officials at the British Consulate General in Jerusalem will continue to work closely with the parties involved, including the Central Elections Commission and the UN.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel to ensure free access to Gaza for campaigning in Palestinian elections.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to encourage all parties to respect and facilitate the democratic process fully, including during the campaigning period.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel to ensure that Palestinian voters in occupied East Jerusalem are able to take part in elections to the Palestinian National Authority.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Minister James Cleverly spoke to the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 19 April to reiterate the importance of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem being permitted to vote in Palestinian Legislative Council elections. The UK continues to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and international partners to support Palestinian elections.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by Save the Children on 3 February that the "number of displaced Palestinian children is at a four-year high as demolitions in the West Bank continue".
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the Save the Children statement on 3 February. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv has raised the issue of ongoing demolitions with the Israeli Authorities, most recently in a meeting alongside like-minded partners on 25 February. The Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa called on Israel to stop demolitions on 5 February 2021 and raised his concerns about demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures with the Israeli Ambassador on 29 October 2020. UK officials from the British Consulate in Jerusalem have made regular visits to areas at risk of demolition and eviction to reiterate UK support for those communities. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians, including Palestinian children, and is harmful to efforts to promote peace.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to government of Zimbabwe about the detention of Hopewell Chin’ono.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned by the continued prosecution of Hopewell Chin'ono. Media freedom is an essential quality of any open society. People must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, to challenge their governments, and to make decisions informed by a strong and robust media. Zimbabwe is one of the UK's Media Freedom Focus Countries: we have called on the Government of Zimbabwe to end the harassment of journalists, improve legislation and work with the international community to protect media freedom.
Our Embassy in Harare are closely following developments on Mr Chin'ono's case, including through attendance at court. They continue to raise our concerns directly with the Government of Zimbabwe. Most recently, the Minister for Africa tweeted on 13 November and 23 July to express his concern; reiterating that the UK is committed to defending media freedom and human rights in Zimbabwe. When the Minister for Africa spoke to Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, he urged the Government of Zimbabwe to make concrete progress on human rights and respect the rule of law. The British Ambassador to Harare also met with the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister on 14 August and raised our concerns.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what ministerial-level discussions they have had with the government of Ethiopia about the conflict in Tigray.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Foreign Secretary spoke to Prime Minister Abiy on 10 November to relay the UK's concerns over the conflict in the Tigray region and the risk it poses to civilians. He stressed the urgent need for political dialogue and a peaceful solution to the conflict, as well as the need to prioritise the protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access. On 18 November, Minister Duddridge reinforced this message with the Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Chair of the African Union about (1) the conflict in Ethiopia, and (2) the potential of that conflict to destabilise Ethiopia and the wider region.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The UK welcomes the statement by African Union (AU) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, of 9 November about the conflict in Ethiopia in which he appealed for the immediate cessation of hostilities, called on all parties to respect human rights and ensure the protection of civilians, and urged dialogue between the parties. Through our Embassy in Addis Ababa, officials continue to engage with senior counterparts in the AU Commission to discuss the situation in Tigray and its impact on neighbouring countries.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports (1) that state agents and Impala car rental in Zimbabwe colluded to abduct and torture political opponents, and (2) that Impala car rental has not complied with an order of the High Court in Bulawayo to hand over information about (a) the identity of those who hired the vehicle used to abduct Tawanda Muchehiwa on 30 July, and (b) the route that vehicle travelled on that day; and what discussions they have had with the government of Zimbabwe about imposing economic measures on Impala car rental and its directors.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
We are aware of reports that a car hired from Impala Car Hire was used in the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa, and that the matter is subject to a high court order. HMG has been clear, including in an international statement on 28 August, that the Government of Zimbabwe has a responsibility to investigate and prosecute those responsible for violating human rights. The Minister for Africa regularly engages with the Government of Zimbabwe to raise serious concerns about the political, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe and reinforce the need for accountability. He clearly conveyed our views when he spoke to Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, and in a letter to the Foreign Minister on 12 August.