Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) medical relief and (b) humanitarian aid his Department has provided to Sudan in the context of recent trends in the number of Cholera related deaths.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Sudan conflict has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with 24.8 million people in need of assistance. The UK is extremely concerned about the increasing cases of cholera in Sudan with death rates from the outbreak surging up to three times the global average. The UK is responding though our humanitarian programmes in Sudan. The UK has spent £113.5 million this year in response to the conflict in Sudan and the resulting regional refugee crisis. As part of this funding, we support the Sudan Humanitarian Fund which provides flexible, muti-sector support to NGOs, including medical relief for the cholera outbreak.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 19 July 2024 on Israel and Gaza, Official Report, column 301, what his planned timetable is for (a) the completion of his Department's comprehensive review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law and (b) updating the House when that process is complete.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As soon as the Foreign Secretary came into office, he commissioned new advice on Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law, in the context of the war. This is an important and complex process, requiring detailed analysis of evidence, and close co-operation with other Government Departments, and is being undertaken urgently. The Foreign Secretary's decision, and the Government's decision on the related issue of arms exports, will be made public when the process is complete.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Bangladesh on (a) ending violence and unrest and (b) ensuring that (i) the right to peacefully protest is upheld and (ii) independent investigations will take place.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary and I have publicly called for an immediate end to the violence and unrest in Bangladesh, and for all sides to find a peaceful way forward. I discussed the situation with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to London on 19 and 23 July and stressed the need for democratic freedoms and the rule of law to be protected. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh has engaged with Bangladesh government ministers reinforcing messages on de-escalation and the need for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to engage with counterparts.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Bangladesh on (a) possible human rights violations against protestors and (b) future protection of students.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I discussed my concerns regarding the violence in Bangladesh following protests with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to London on 19 and 23 July. The British High Commissioner has engaged with key ministers in the Bangladesh government to reinforce messages on de-escalation and the need for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. The rights to protest, to peacefully assemble and to express different political views are rights the UK holds dear and must be protected. We will continue to raise the importance of respect for human rights and the rule of law with the Bangladesh government.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps the Government took to mark United Nations International Mother Language Day.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
In liaison with other government departments and the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC), the FCDO partnered with the Bangladesh High Commission and High Commissioner for the 6th year to celebrate International Mother Language Day (IMLD) in London. IMLD was supported by the UK's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, with UKNC, focussing on the theme of International Mother Language Day celebration for 2024 which is "Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning". The UK Permanent Delegate to UNESCO also promoted IMLD through e-communications and social channels, including support for IMLD related activities taking place around the UK, for example celebrating local musicians performing in their mother language in Wales.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to help ensure more of the global population have access to education in their native language.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK prioritises foundational learning (literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills) for all children across our education programmes. This recognises that foundational learning is crucial to achieving higher order skills and reaping the full benefits of education. We are focused on delivering evidence-based interventions. A key part of the evidence on what works in literacy is ensuring that children learn in their mother tongue. We therefore advocate for the teaching of basic early education in children's native language. We encourage countries to delay the transition to another language of instruction to later in children's education once they have secured foundational learning.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Countering Illegal Migration during the debate on the Draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Amendment of List of Safe States) Regulations 2024 of 10 January 2024, if it is his policy that the region of Jammu and Kashmir is part of India.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan
The UK's long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the safety of persecuted religious communities.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), Fiona Bruce, as chair of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, is working to bolster international action on FoRB and seeking to improve the safety of persecuted religious minorities. At the UK-led Ministerial Conference on FoRB last year, we announced funding to support FoRB defenders, and provide expertise to assist countries with legislative changes to protect FoRB. In June we secured language in a Security Council resolution which directly addresses the persecution of religious minorities. We continue to use our position at the UN to highlight FoRB violations and abuses and help improve the lives of those affected.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
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 implications for his policies of changes in the level of Islamophobia globally.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. We monitor the situation for religious and non-religious communities globally and work multilaterally and bilaterally to promote FoRB. The UK has condemned the recent incidents of Quran burning in Europe, recognising the deep hurt felt by Muslims across the world, and we unequivocally denounce hatred and incitement of violence on the basis of religion or belief. We are committed to both freedom of expression and FoRB and will continue to promote mutual respect between different communities.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has held discussions with the UN on Islamophobia in the period since the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution on religious hatred in July 2023.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK engaged with the Organization for Islamic Co-operation at the UN Human Rights Council in July and, whilst condemning actions that seek to incite violence, discrimination or hatred, underlined the importance of striking a balance between freedom of expression and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in the draft resolution on religious hatred. Ultimately, we could not support the final resolution presented as this balance was not achieved. The issue was also discussed at the UN General Assembly where we reiterated the need for a balanced approach. We will continue to work with our international partners to support FoRB for all.