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Written Question
UNRWA
Monday 25th March 2024

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton on 5 March (HL Deb col 1544), whether they have received the interim report of the UN concerning allegations surrounding UNRWA staff members' involvement in the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel; whether they have any plans to reinstate funding to UNRWA; and what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of UNRWA in delivering aid in Gaza.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services has released an interim report to the UN Secretary-General. We are pressing Catherine Colonna to produce a rapid interim report on the investigation into UNRWA's neutrality.

We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza, and the wider region.


Written Question
Business: Human Rights
Monday 26th February 2024

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are taking steps to ensure that there is legal liability to provide effective remedies for all forms of human rights violations committed abroad by corporations domiciled in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government has consistently supported the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and supports voluntary human rights due diligence approaches by UK businesses to respect human rights across their operations. In line with the Principles, the UK has a range of judicial and state-based, non-judicial mechanisms that help to support access to remedy for human rights abuses by UK business enterprises both in the UK and overseas. For example, the UK operates a National Contact Point to run a non-judicial grievance mechanism to assess alleged non-compliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, offering a platform for mediation and conciliation.


Written Question
Belfast Agreement and European Convention on Human Rights
Wednesday 6th December 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 20 November (HL Deb col 618), what steps they will take to (1) remain a member of the European Convention on Human Rights, and (2) protect the human rights infrastructure of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is firmly committed to upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and to protecting and respecting human rights. We will ensure a human rights framework that is up to date, and works for all the people of the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister has made clear that if the European Court of Human Rights chooses to intervene against the express wishes of Parliament, the Government is prepared to do whatever is necessary.


Written Question
Windsor Framework: European Convention on Human Rights
Friday 24th November 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights would have on the Windsor Framework.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government remains committed to a human rights framework that is up to date, fit for purpose, and works for the people of the UK. We have a longstanding tradition of ensuring rights and liberties are protected domestically and of fulfilling our international human rights obligations.


Written Question
Gaza and Israel: International Law
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received on the principles of international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities in Israel and Gaza.

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. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Gaza: Civilians
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (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 concerning its instruction for people in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south of the Gaza strip.

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. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Israel: Arms Trade
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are reviewing the licensing of sales of arms and security equipment to Israel.

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. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Israel: White Phosphorus
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any use by Israel of white phosphorous in Gaza.

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. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Gaza: Peace Negotiations
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support a ceasefire in Gaza.

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. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Gaza: Armed Conflict
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support international justice and accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court investigation into the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in respect of any instances of alleged atrocities during the current conflict in Gaza.

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. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.