Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Johnson Excerpts

Tuesday 30th October 2018 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

1. What diplomatic steps he is taking to tackle sexual violence in conflict throughout the world.

[The Minister for Africa (Harriett Baldwin)]

The UK Government continue to lead global efforts to end the horror of sexual violence in conflict. We have developed tools to improve the chances of justice for survivors and in June secured sanctions against seven Burmese military officials. We will host an international conference in 2019 to galvanise the world into further action.

[Dr Johnson]

Given that the recent UN taskforce report highlighted appalling examples of sexual violence against Rohingya Muslims in Burma, I welcome the announcement that the Secretary of State made on his recent visit to Rakhine of increased support to victims of this terrible crime, but what can be done to increase the resources available to other conflict regions?

[Harriett Baldwin]

I thank my hon. Friend for welcoming the announcement and highlighting the work of that team of experts, who have now been deployed, I think, to 26 countries on a wide range of cases, have helped to train 17,000 people to make sure that evidence is secured and have worked extensively on this important issue in a range of situations around the world.[Official Report, 12 November 2018, Vol. 649, c. 2MC.]