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Written Question
Occupied Territories
Thursday 10th August 2023

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (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 regarding (1) the closure of the village of al-Mughayyir for three weeks, and (2) the arrest of 50 of al-Mughayyir’s residents.

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

We have not raised this case specifically with the Israeli authorities but we stress to them the damage that their restrictions on movement, access, and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians. We are frustrated by the reports of access restrictions to the village of al-Mughayyir and instances of settler-related violence. All Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and security. As the occupying power, we urge Israel to fulfil its responsibilities, including ensuring the protection of the civilian population, including from acts of violence by Israeli settlers. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made this clear most recently in a phone call with the Israeli chargé d'affaires on July 4.


Written Question
Myanmar: Armed Forces
Monday 20th February 2023

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what analysis they have made of revenue flows to the Myanmar military; and what steps they are taking to stem those flows.

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

We have led international efforts to reduce the military regime's access to revenue, arms and equipment. On 31 January we announced our fourteenth round of sanctions, targeting those who profit from the supply of aviation fuel to the Myanmar Air Force. Following the coup, we strengthened our overseas business risk guidance to ensure that UK businesses are doing thorough due diligence in Myanmar to avoid exposure to the military and its business interests.

We continue to work with our partners to understand how we can take targeted and proportionate action to reduce the military's access to funds to facilitate its campaign of violence.


Written Question
Myanmar: Sanctions
Monday 20th February 2023

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to stop human rights violations, and (2) to ensure accountability, in Myanmar, following the sanctions introduced since the military took power in that country two years ago.

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

We are clear that there must be accountability for atrocities committed in Myanmar. We condemn the ongoing serious human rights violations by the Myanmar military. We will continue to raise these issues on the international stage, including at the UN Security Council. We have established and funded the Myanmar Witness programme to collect and verify evidence of serious human rights violations and abuses.

On 25 August 2022, the UK announced its intention to intervene in the International Court of Justice case regarding Myanmar's compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, in relation to acts committed against the Rohingya.


Written Question
Myanmar: Politics and Government
Monday 20th February 2023

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking following the adoption of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2669 on the situation in Myanmar.

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

The first UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution on Myanmar, led by the UK, demands an end to violence and urges immediate action by the military regime to fully implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. The resolution requested the UN Secretary-General or his Special Envoy on Myanmar to provide an oral report to the UN Security Council (UNSC) by March. The meeting will take place in March. The resolution is an important step towards further UNSC scrutiny and action on the situation in Myanmar. We are working closely with our partners in New York to seize the momentum of this resolution.


Written Question
Myanmar: Humanitarian Aid
Monday 20th February 2023

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase their provision of humanitarian aid to the government of Myanmar; and what assessment they have made of the change in the needs of the population of that country since the military took control in 2021.

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

We remain strongly committed to helping those most in need in Myanmar. The UK remains one of the leading donors. Since the coup on 1st February 2021, the UK has provided over £100 million to support those in need of humanitarian assistance, to deliver healthcare and education for the most vulnerable, and to protect civic space. We are also working closely with civil society and local organisations to help build the resilience of communities and the foundations for a more open, inclusive and democratic Myanmar.


Written Question
Bahrain: Human Rights
Thursday 3rd November 2022

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and Human Rights Watch "The Court is Satisfied with the Confession”: Bahrain Death Sentences Follow Torture, Sham Trials, published on 10 October; and what representations they will make to the government of Bahrain concerning implementing its recommendations.

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

The UK Government has taken note of the report in question. Ministers and officials continue to reiterate the UK's opposition to use of the death penalty with senior members of the Bahraini Government. The UK's position on the use of the death penalty is longstanding and clear. The Government of Bahrain is fully aware of our position.


Written Question
Afghanistan: Journalism
Thursday 11th November 2021

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the violence towards journalists in Afghanistan.

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

We are deeply concerned about human rights in Afghanistan and are tracking the situation closely, including violence towards journalists. We are concerned by reports of targeting of journalists, restrictions on the media and self-censorship. We will continue to work closely with international partners to call for freedom of the media to be respected in Afghanistan, to respond to violations and abuses and to push for those responsible to be held to account.


Written Question
Afghanistan
Thursday 11th November 2021

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure (1) the safety of journalists in Afghanistan, and (2) the safe passage of those wishing to leave that country.

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

It remains a top priority to help those British nationals and those Afghans eligible to come to the UK to leave Afghanistan, including journalists. Since the end of the military evacuation, the Government has facilitated the departure of both Afghan and British nationals from Afghanistan. Although travel within Afghanistan remains dangerous, and many border crossings have been closed during this period, we have also helped both British nationals and eligible Afghans when they have crossed into third countries, from where our diplomatic missions have been able to support their onward travel to the UK. We will continue to work to take advantage of all opportunities to help those eligible to come to the UK to leave Afghanistan.


Written Question
Climate Diplomacy Fund
Monday 1st November 2021

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government which companies have received funds from the Climate Diplomacy Fund.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The Climate Diplomacy Fund is allocated to British diplomatic posts, with some regional allocations. Posts follow the FCDO's Programme Operating Framework as well as departmental finance and commercial guidance to design and manage projects and ensure value for money. However FCDO does not collate a central list of which companies have been engaged to deliver projects. Asking individual overseas posts to provide this information in the immediate lead-up to COP26 in Glasgow would not be possible.


Written Question
Climate Diplomacy Fund
Monday 1st November 2021

Asked by: Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government which projects are supported by the Climate Diplomacy Fund.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The Climate Diplomacy Fund is non-ODA and small amounts of funding are devolved to British diplomatic posts, to support projects that meet policy outcomes linked to a successful negotiated outcome at COP26, deliver stronger sectoral action to accelerate transitions to clean growth in the global economy, or raise partner country ambition through increased national commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions) and net zero targets.