Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Malian counterpart on the Malian military capturing Bah Ndaw and Moctar Ouane.
Answered by James Duddridge
I have condemned the coup in Mali and called for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those detained, including the former President and Prime Minister who remain under house arrest. The UK has made clear that any attempt to impose a change of leadership by force, including through forced resignations, is unacceptable. The British Ambassador to Mali met the former Prime Minister Moctar Ouane after he was released from detention. The UK has not engaged with the leadership in place since the coup. I made clear that the UK stands ready to support ECOWAS efforts to monitor progress towards democratic, constitutional rule within the agreed timeframe, and with full respect for the conditions set out by ECOWAS. The UK's Sahel Envoy has already been speaking to like-minded counterparts to understand how best to coordinate international support. I have also reiterated the importance of renewed commitment to the broader priorities set out by the former transitional government, including efforts to tackle impunity and drive forward progress on the Malian peace process.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Mozambican counterpart on the insurgency in that country.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in the north-east of Mozambique, and the increasing attacks by groups with links to Islamic extremism. As I made clear publicly on 26 and 28 March, we condemn the appalling attacks in Cabo Delgado and stand with the people of Mozambique against terrorism. The UK Government continues to support the Government of Mozambique to address the causes of the conflict.
Lord Ahmad spoke to Mozambican Foreign Minister Macamo on 11 March, reaffirming UK support to help Mozambique fight terrorism, and stressing that human rights must be at the forefront of the government's approach. I also raised Cabo Delgado when I spoke to the Foreign Minister on 4 February. The Foreign Secretary last discussed the situation in northern Mozambique with President Nyusi on 11 June 2020, urging him to address the underlying causes of the insurgency as well as its effects. Our High Commissioner in Maputo most recently met President Nyusi on 1 April to discuss the Palma attacks and how the UK could support Mozambique's response.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Sudanese counterpart on recent reports of violence in the Red Sea state.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK is deeply concerned by reports of intercommunal violence in the Red Sea state between the Beni Amer and Nuba. It is an important reminder of the challenges Sudan faces as it transitions to democracy and seeks to end decades of conflict. Following the removal of President Bashir in 2019 the UK is supporting Sudan through this transition process, including efforts to deliver much needed economic stability and aid to those most in need.
We welcome the efforts made by the Sudanese Government to ensure that Sudan is an inclusive peaceful country, embracing the diversity of its people, and urge the Government to: deliver their commitment to assume full responsibility for the Protection of Civilians; implement swiftly their National Plan for Civilian Protection; and implement the Juba Peace Agreement, particularly provisions relating to security arrangements.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
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 ensure access to healthcare for people with disabilities in (a) Africa and (b) Asia.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK is committed to ensuring people with disabilities globally are provided with the same access to health services as people without disabilities where possible. The pandemic has shown us that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected in crisis, so it is critical health systems are disability inclusive. The UK is supporting several countries in Asia and Africa, for example, to ensure COVID-19 public health messages are disability-responsive. In Nigeria alone this has reached at least 2.7 million people living with a disability. The UK is also helping people with disabilities access sexual health services. In 2019-2020 this resulted in a quadrupling of health visits by people with disabilities.
In January this government supported a new World Health Organisation resolution on the "the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities". If adopted, the resolution will help to ensure that global health responses, including in Africa and Asia, provide quality responses to people with disabilities. Later this year we will also launch the enhanced Disability Inclusion Strategy which will include a sharper focus on global health.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on the persecution of Zoroastrians in that country.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities.
While Zoroastrians are formally protected in the Iranian constitution, the reality is that many non-Muslims face discrimination. Meanwhile, the Baha'i community in Iran continue to be systematically discriminated against, harassed, and targeted. We have repeatedly raised these persistent human rights violations with Iran. On 9 March, at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK called on Iran to end the discrimination and persecution of religious minorities, particularly towards the Baha'i and Christian converts.
We condemn the incarceration of all religious minorities for the act of practicing their faith in Iran. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on the persecution of Baháʼís in that country.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities.
While Zoroastrians are formally protected in the Iranian constitution, the reality is that many non-Muslims face discrimination. Meanwhile, the Baha'i community in Iran continue to be systematically discriminated against, harassed, and targeted. We have repeatedly raised these persistent human rights violations with Iran. On 9 March, at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK called on Iran to end the discrimination and persecution of religious minorities, particularly towards the Baha'i and Christian converts.
We condemn the incarceration of all religious minorities for the act of practicing their faith in Iran. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
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 ensure access to healthcare for internally displaced people abroad.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are disproportionately affected by lack of access to healthcare and particularly vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19. The UK COVID-19 response includes contributions of £137 million to the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19 and £55 million to appeals from the Red Cross Movement in addition to support to NGOs, to reduce transmission and mitigate the primary and secondary impacts of the virus on vulnerable populations. The UK provided an early and substantial contribution of £548 million to the COVAX Facility, a mechanism to deliver rapid, global and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to underserved populations including IDPs. The UK e is also providing £340 million four-year core funding to the World Health Organisation including for its work in health emergencies, and helping to track the inclusion of IDPs, refugees and other persons of concern in national vaccination plans.
The UK is also advocating for longer term solutions for IDPs through the UN High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement so that IDPs are able to realise their fundamental rights, including access to health care. This is supported by UK-backed research into constraints to access to healthcare in conflict settings.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on ensuring the safety of Coptic Christians in Egypt from religious persecution
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We have been encouraged by the positive steps the Government of Egypt has taken in recent years, including President Sisi's public commitments, to uphold the rights of minorities and freedom of worship. There has also been a number of protections for freedom of religion enshrined in Egypt's constitution and the Middle East's largest cathedral was opened in Egypt in 2019. Most recently, during their telephone call in March, the Prime Minister and President Sisi agreed on the importance of upholding freedom of religion and belief. Our strong relationship with Egypt also allows us to discuss sensitive issues, such as the ongoing detention of Coptic activist Ramy Kamel, which we raised with the Egyptian authorities in November 2020.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department has offered to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are working closely with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and our humanitarian partners to monitor the situation, assess the impact and coordinate the response. UK-funded partners are already on the ground providing emergency support. The International Federation of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Emergency Fund is providing first aid, water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter and psychological support and working to restore family units. ICRC, one of our major humanitarian partners, is providing support for unaccompanied children and the UN Humanitarian Air Service is providing vital reconnaissance flights in the area.
Asked by: Imran Ahmad Khan (Independent - Wakefield)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in response to the drought being experienced in that country.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Jordan is a close and valued partner and we are providing significant support to Jordan's economic resilience and to meet the needs of its most vulnerable people. Since the start of the Syria crisis in 2011, the UK has spent over £500m to support Jordanian stability, including humanitarian aid and investment in education and job opportunities, for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.
We recognise the pressure of water scarcity in Jordan. The Prime Minister discussed the effects of climate change and efforts to protect biodiversity in the Middle East in his call with His Majesty King Abdullah on 13 April. Jordan is also a member of the Adaptation Action Coalition which works to build resilience to the effects of climate change.