Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Colombian counterpart on the forced disappearance of eight people in Guaviare Department on 4 and 5 April 2025; and whether he has had discussions with that counterpart on investigations into those disappearances.
Answered by Catherine West
We are concerned at the increasing rate of violence in Colombia, including the killing of eight social leaders in Guaviare. We work closely with the Attorney General's Office and Colombian authorities who are investigating the killings, and through our peace programme, we are working to support the Colombian government to tackle the root causes of violence to prevent such attacks. Our Embassy in Bogotá regularly engages with the local government, the church, victims, and ex-combatants in Guaviare. At the Human Rights Council and UN Security Council, we regularly call for greater protection of social and community leaders and to secure lasting peace by implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement. Through the UN Multi Partner Trust Fund, the UK supports projects to reduce violence and improve security in the department of Guaviare.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor UK funding in the People's Republic of China; and how much has been allocated to the provinces of (a) Tibet and (b) Xinjiang.
Answered by Catherine West
As an open economy, the Government welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security.
The Government expects all UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment throughout their operations and supply chain relationships in line with the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The UK's Overseas Business Risk guidance makes clear to UK companies the risks of operating in certain regions and urges them to conduct appropriate due diligence when making business decisions. The UK also has reporting requirements for companies with a turnover of £36 million or more under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act.
This Government stands firm on human rights, including the repression of people in Xinjiang and Tibet. We are committed to working with international partners and businesses to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports of violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK will champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, including through the UN, G7, in multilateral fora and in bilateral relationships. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. The Egyptian Government has stated a firm commitment to protect the rights of Coptic Christians and their freedom of worship. Protections for freedom of religion are enshrined in the constitution. President Sisi has publicly committed in recent years to uphold minority rights and FoRB. I will continue to make clear to the Egyptian authorities the importance we attach to these issues.
Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have (i) met and (ii) had discussions with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I am not aware of any recent meetings by FCDO Ministers or senior officials with UNSR Francesca Albanese. The Foreign Secretary regularly engages with UN representatives to discuss aspects of shared interests and concerns. Minister Dodds and I met Sigrid Kaag, the UN Senior Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, on 21 October, where we highlighted the urgent need to increase aid and protect civilians in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary spoke with Secretary-General António Guterres on 16 October, to discuss the indispensable role of the UN in addressing the challenges in the Middle East.