Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to work with the UK’s international partners on the various peace initiatives aimed at ending the conflict in Sudan.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are working with international partners in support of continued African efforts through The African Union, The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, UN and through the Quad and Troika, to end the violence, allow unfettered humanitarian access and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process. On 4 August, the UK and its Troika partners released a joint statement, condemning recent reports of killing based on ethnicity and widespread sexual violence in Darfur by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias. Recently, at the United Nations General Assembly, UK Ministers and senior officials held four meetings with different groups of partners to discuss accountability issues and the humanitarian situation in Sudan.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister last discussed mutual UK–US foreign policy objectives in the Middle East with the President of the United States; and whether those discussions included discussion of the normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK continues to support diplomatic efforts to normalise relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The UK is a firm supporter of Israel's normalisation agreements, including the Abraham Accords. We continue to encourage close regional cooperation in order to tackle regional challenges and we encourage those countries with whom Israel does not yet have diplomatic relations to recognise the economic, cultural and security benefits of cooperation with Israel.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support democratic (1) government, and (2) processes, across West Africa following the recent military coups in Niger and Gabon; and what discussions they have had about this matter with the government of France.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK condemns in the strongest possible terms attempts to undermine democracy, peace and stability in Niger. We stand firmly with the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the restoration of democracy in Niger.
On Gabon, the UK condemns the unconstitutional military takeover and calls for the restoration of civilian rule. We support efforts by the AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to hold Gabon to account and welcome Gabon's partial suspension from the Commonwealth. We will work with the Commonwealth Secretary-General to uphold Commonwealth values and call for a restoration of civilian and democratic rule in Gabon.
We regularly discuss these issues with a range of regional and international partners, including France. The Foreign Secretary spoke to the French Foreign Minister about Niger in August. Officials have regular discussions with French counterparts in Paris, London and at post.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what recent discussions they have had, together with international partners, concerning peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The return of conflict to Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September was devastating for the local population; the subsequent ceasefire announced on 20 September must now be upheld by all parties. The Azerbaijani Government must continue to engage in talks with ethnic Armenian representatives in Nagorno-Karabakh, and ensure that it delivers on its humanitarian commitments. I [Lord Ahmad] raised this at the UN Security Council on 21 September and with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 23 September. The Government also continues to urge talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia to find a long term resolution to all outstanding tensions in the interests of all the peoples of the South Caucasus.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to assist with (1) international aid, and (2) rescue efforts, in Libya following the flooding in that country on 10 September; and what steps they are taking to help to reduce the threat of disease from contaminated water.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is monitoring the scale of flooding in eastern Libya following Storm Daniel and is committed to working with partners to deliver aid in support of the Libyan people. The UK is providing support in response to both the floods in Libya and the earthquake in Morocco, having allocated a package worth up to £10 million. Flights carrying UK-funded aid to Libya have so far delivered relief items including emergency shelter for up to 14,400 people, and over 800 portable solar lanterns. The UK is also providing water filters and hygiene kits that can reduce the threat of disease from contaminated water for up to 10,500 people. The UK is also supporting the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund and Education Cannot Wait programme, both of which have contributed to emergency responses in Libya. I spoke with Chairman of Libya's Presidential Council Mohamed al-Mnefi on 13 September to convey his condolences and the UK's commitment to supporting Libya in the aftermath of this tragedy. I also spoke to UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, to discuss the international response to the crises in Morocco and Libya along with humanitarian coordination.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the current political and security situation in Gabon, following the military coup there on 30 August; and what information they have on the whereabouts of President Ali Bongo.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK echoes the African Union's condemnation of the unconstitutional military takeover of power in Gabon and calls for the restoration of constitutional government, in line with the Commonwealth Charter.
Minister Mitchell has held discussions with African counterparts on recent political events in Gabon during his recent visits to Rwanda and Kenya. He has also spoken with the Commonwealth Secretary-General about the situation. The political and security situation in Gabon appears stable. We understand that President Ali Bongo is in Libreville, and has been released from house arrest under health grounds.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the current political situation in Bangladesh; and what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh over the number of court cases being brought against supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party ahead of the upcoming elections.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A UK priority in Bangladesh is to support free, fair, peaceful and participatory elections in January 2024. Bangladesh remains an FCDO Human Rights Priority Country, and in July 2023 we published our latest assessment of human rights in the country. The UK regularly raises with the Government of Bangladesh, both in public and private, the importance of free and fair elections so that the people of Bangladesh can exercise their fundamental democratic rights. We also encourage the Government to end harassment and intimidation of civil society, the media and political opposition partners, including the Bangladesh National Party. On 11-12 September, the FCDO Permanent Under Secretary visited Bangladesh for the UK/Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue, where he will underline the need to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they were last in direct contact with China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Permanent-Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton met with former Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on 10 April 2023 during his visit to Beijing. The Foreign Secretary met Qin Gang on 2 March 2023 at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the current political and security situation in Kenya, following the crackdown on the ongoing protests to the Kenyan government’s Finance Bill; and what action are they taking with international partners to urge an end to the current wave of violence and a resumption of talks between the government and the opposition.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK regrets the loss of life and destruction of property during recent demonstrations in Kenya. The UK is following events closely and continues to urge all parties to engage in dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully. On 18 July, with partners, the British High Commission issued a statement calling for the cessation of violence and commencement of dialogue.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the current political situation in Mali, following the adoption of a new constitution by the military government, which gives new presidential powers to determine government policy and dissolve parliament; and what is their assessment of the impact that this will have on the intended return to civilian rule in the presidential elections scheduled for February 2024.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The situation in Mali is continuing to deteriorate, with the increase in Wagner Group's presence, the associated rise in human rights abuses and violations, and the potential impacts of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali's (MINUSMA) withdrawal. The authorities must deliver on their commitment to the political transition, with free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections in February 2024, as endorsed by The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit of 3 July 2022. The UK remains ready to assist the Malian people towards a path of healing, reconciliation, and rebuilding for communities affected by human rights violations and abuses.