Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Uganda's compatibility with being a member of the Commonwealth in the light of that country's opposition to LGBT rights, including its Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is appalled that the Government of Uganda signed the deeply discriminatory Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law. Issues around membership and the Commonwealth Charter are addressed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). The UK is not currently a member of CMAG.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Ghana concerning its Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, which criminalises homosexuality; and what assessment they have made of Ghana's continued membership of the Commonwealth in the light of that Bill.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned that Ghana's Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. The UK routinely encourages Ghana to confirm its opposition to all forms of discrimination and uphold the human rights provisions enshrined in Ghana's Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter and the values and principles of the Commonwealth. The Foreign Secretary, Ministers and senior officials have expressed these concerns, including during Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell's visit to Ghana in February 2024 and his meeting with the Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK in March. We are working through our options for responding should the Bill become law. Issues around membership and the Commonwealth Charter are addressed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). The UK is not currently a member of CMAG.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Uganda concerning the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023; and what steps they are taking to protect LGBT people living in Uganda.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law, the Minister of State (Development and Africa) released a statement setting out our strong opposition to the Act. Both the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State (Development and Africa) reaffirmed this position on 3 April, following the Ugandan Constitutional Court's judgment to uphold all but four sections of the Act. The Minister of State (Development and Africa) met the Ugandan Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 3 April, underlining the importance of ensuring that people are free from persecution, regardless of sexuality. We will continue our consistent support to the human rights of LGBT+ people, and all Ugandans.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help secure the release of Evan Gershkovich from prison in Russia.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The detention of Evan Gershkovich illustrates Russia's disregard for media freedom. Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have called for his immediate release. As a US national, the US Government is providing Mr Gershkovich with consular support. The UK remains in close contact with the US and continues to assist their efforts to secure his release. The UK has raised his case at the OSCE, most recently on 2 November the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The UK has also condemned the Russian authorities' crackdown on non-government-controlled media at the UN Human Rights Council.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Russia regarding the detention of the journalist Evan Gershkovich; and what further action they propose.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In response to Evan Gershkovich's arrest, the Foreign Secretary said "Russia's decision to detain Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich shows their complete disregard for media freedom." On 17 April, the UK co-signed a statement by the Media Freedom Coalition of 46 UN Member States, delivered by the US Ambassador. We condemned Mr Gershkovich's detention and urged Russia to end its draconian crackdown on freedom of expression, including against media figures. As Mr Gershkovich is a US citizen the US Government will lead on consular support. The UK will work with the US to support their efforts to secure his release.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to LGBT+ communities in (1) low, and (2) middle, income countries to empower them to reform laws that discriminate against them.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK is committed to championing LGBT+ rights internationally and supporting those who defend them. Ministers and our overseas missions work closely with partners to advance LGBT+ equality, and promote the implementation of new laws and policies that better protect LGBT+ people from violence and discrimination.
On 24 June, the Prime Minister announced £2.7 million of UK funding to support LGBT+ grassroots human rights defenders and advance equality and freedom across the Commonwealth.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to create a new fund to support global LGBT+ rights and equality.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is currently working though a business planning process. Decisions on funding for LGBT+ programmes will be made in due course. LGBT+ rights are fundamental human rights. The UK is committed to championing these rights internationally and supporting those who defend them.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of LGBT+ rights in Rwanda.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the state of media freedom in Rwanda.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the total amount of funding disbursed via (1) the Newton Fund, (2) the Ross Fund, and (3) Product Development Partnerships, in each of the last three years; and what such funding has been allocated for the next three years.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Newton Fund budget in each of the last three years was: £115m (2018/19), £125m (2019/20) and £106m (2020/21).
Spend on Ross Fund portfolio related activities over the last two years was: £101.4m (2018/19); £107.3m (2019/20).
Spend on Product Development Partnerships over the last two years was: £91m (2018/19); £95.9m (2019/20).
We do not yet have final audited spend figures for the Ross Fund or Product Development Partnerships for financial year 2020/21.
Budgets have not yet been allocated to these portfolios for future years.