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1199323

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Abduction
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what action has been taken by HM Ambassador in Harare in relation to the arrest, abduction and torture of Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri on 13 May.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hain
	uin	HL4977
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK is seriously concerned about the challenging human rights situation in Zimbabwe. It remains one of the UK's 30 Human Rights Priority Countries globally. The Minister for Africa spoke to the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister on 8 June and expressed his [Minister Duddridge] deep concern regarding recent reports of the abduction and torture of three female opposition activists, including a Member of Parliament. He [Minister Duddridge] urged the Foreign Minister to ensure the Government of Zimbabwe makes concrete progress on human rights, including investigations into violations.</p><p>It is vital that the Zimbabwean authorities adhere to their international human rights obligations and respect their Constitution, which prohibits enforced disappearances and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. This was reiterated in a joint local statement issued on 20 May by the UK alongside other partners, including the European Union, France, Germany and the United States of America. The UK will continue to monitor developments closely and urge the Government of Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law and respect human rights.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL4974 HL4976 question first answered 11/06/2020 12:41:22 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1199272

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Abduction
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what action has been taken by the HM Ambassador in Harare and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in relation to the reported attack, abduction and torture by security forces in Zimbabwe of Joana Mamombe and two of her colleagues from the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hain
	uin	HL4974
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK is seriously concerned about the challenging human rights situation in Zimbabwe. It remains one of the UK's 30 Human Rights Priority Countries globally. The Minister for Africa spoke to the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister on 8 June and expressed his [Minister Duddridge] deep concern regarding recent reports of the abduction and torture of three female opposition activists, including a Member of Parliament. He [Minister Duddridge] urged the Foreign Minister to ensure the Government of Zimbabwe makes concrete progress on human rights, including investigations into violations.</p><p>It is vital that the Zimbabwean authorities adhere to their international human rights obligations and respect their Constitution, which prohibits enforced disappearances and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. This was reiterated in a joint local statement issued on 20 May by the UK alongside other partners, including the European Union, France, Germany and the United States of America. The UK will continue to monitor developments closely and urge the Government of Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law and respect human rights.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL4976 HL4977 question first answered 11/06/2020 12:41:22 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1199257

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Colombia: Surveillance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the illegal collation of secret files on civil society organisations, including human rights defenders, the press and others in Colombia.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4936
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of allegations that Colombian state actors have been illegally gathering surveillance on civil society organisations. We expect state authorities to comply fully with their human rights obligations, and our Embassy in Bogotá regularly raises human rights issues. The United Kingdom is committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which is a Human Rights Priority Country.</p><p>We work with the Colombian Government, civil society and multilateral partners to support full compliance with human rights obligations in Colombia. Neither the UN nor the IACHR has invited us to support the creation of a commission.</p><p>The British Government undertakes extensive risk assessments when designing projects in Colombia and deciding which to fund, including any potential negative impact on human rights. This includes the overseas security and justice assistance (OSJA) process, which is intended to ensure any United Kingdom projects meet our human rights obligations and our values. We continually monitor the effects of our programme work in consultation with colleagues working in Colombia, and make thorough assessments of the impact of our projects.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/06/2020 13:18:11 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1199461

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	George Floyd
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the death of George Floyd.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL5122
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2020 answer text <p>The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been clear that the death of George Floyd was appalling, inexcusable and deeply distressing. We are aware that a suspect has been charged and there is a federal review underway. We would hope and expect justice to be done.</p><p>The violence we have seen is clearly very alarming. People must be allowed to protest peacefully - peaceful protest remains a vital part of a democratic society and we understand the strength of feeling around this issue.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 09/06/2020 15:15:59 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1199362

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Nigeria: Development Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the killing of Uwavera Omozuwa, in a church in Benin City, Nigeria; and how UK Aid to Nigeria is used to combat gender-based violence in that country.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL4899
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>The High Commission in Abuja is tracking closely developments around the deplorable killing of Uwavera Omozuwa last month in a church in Benin City. The High Commissioner has spoken out against her killing and all gender-based violence (GBV), calling for those responsible to face justice.</p><p>GBV is an endemic issue in Nigeria and poses ongoing challenges to changing behaviour and ensuring equality and equity for women, girls, men, and boys. DFID Nigeria is committed to empowering women and protecting the most vulnerable. We directly support systems and interventions to mitigate and respond to GBV in the conflict-affected North East through provision of emergency medical care and in the case-management, legal counselling and psycho-social support for survivors of GBV through our humanitarian programme.</p><p>Across DFID Nigeria, we pursue DFID’s Strategic Vision for Women and Girls. We promote women’s rights and gender equality through multiple sectors: increasing women’s economic empowerment through dedicated livelihoods programmes; ensuring gender sensitivity of government social protection programmes; supporting women’s participation and representation in politics and civil society through governance programmes; and keeping girls safe in schools through our education programmes.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/06/2020 12:51:26 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1199266

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Nigeria: Development Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Amnesty International ‘We dried our tears’: Addressing the toll on children of Northeast Nigeria’s conflict, published on 27 May; and what plans they have to ensure that any UK aid programmes in Nigeria encompass (1) psychosocial support for children, and (2) gender equality initiatives.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
	uin	HL4946
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>The High Commission has advocated for and supported the handing over of all children in any form of detention to UNICEF or appropriate agencies and this has led to the release of many hundreds in recent months. We will continue to urge all parties to prioritise mitigating the effect of conflict on civilians, particularly the most vulnerable including women and children. In respect to criticisms of the rehabilitation and reintegration components of Operation Safe Corridor, including evidence of boys accessing the programme, the High Commission in Abuja is currently reassessing its support to Operation Safe Corridor in light of this report. We will need to be fully satisfied with our partners’ plans for addressing these issues in order to continue our support.</p><p>UKAid already provides a range of humanitarian and development assistance in Nigeria that supports children affected by the conflict in the northeast, including those previously detained by the Nigerian authorities, and advocacy to the Nigerian authorities to manage these facilities in accordance with domestic and international law. This includes funding partners to provide dedicated case management support to particularly vulnerable children, including unaccompanied and separated minors, where physical and psychosocial health services plus essential material needs, are supported by UKAid.</p><p>DFID is actively delivering it Strategic Vision for Women and Girls in Nigeria to promote women’s rights and gender equality. This includes increasing women’s economic empowerment, supporting women’s participation and representation in politics and civil society through governance programmes, and keeping girls in school.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/06/2020 12:53:10 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1199313

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Colombia: Security
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Colombia about the safety and security of residents in Rio Quinto.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL4941
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports of violence by illegal armed groups in the Rio Quito. We remain extremely concerned about the continued presence of illegal armed groups in Colombia, and the impact their activity has on local people - even more so at this challenging time.</p><p>We regularly raise our concerns about these issues with the Colombian Government and in multilateral fora. Most recently, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations spoke on this at the UN Security Council on 14 April, and we consistently press the Colombian Government to focus on extending the rule of law to all parts of the country.</p><p>Colombia has made significant progress in its efforts to end the influence of such groups, and we remain steadfast in our support of the Colombian authorities as they work towards sustainable peace.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/06/2020 12:35:25 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1199218

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Humanitarian Aid: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with the UN and other international actors to ensure that tackling gender-based violence is recognised as a specific objective in the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Goudie
	uin	HL4970
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK is deeply concerned about the surge in gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have consistently encouraged the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to prioritise GBV within the Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) through bilateral channels and joint advocacy with other donors. We believe revising the GHRP to explicitly include a specific objective on GBV will prove lifesaving for women and girls.</p><p>Whilst we are pleased to see improvements in how GBV is being addressed overall in the GHRP, the UK is still championing a specific objective on GBV in future versions. All UN agencies and international actors must demonstrate that the shadow pandemic of GBV is taken seriously in the global response to COVID-19 and be held accountable for addressing GBV.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 11/06/2020 10:58:25 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	3575 label Biography information for Baroness Goudie

1199321

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Commonwealth
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the application by the government of Zimbabwe to re-join the Commonwealth is suspended until any violations of human rights cease and are addressed, including the reported arrest, abduction and torture of Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri on 13 May.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hain
	uin	HL4975
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>The decision regarding Zimbabwe's readmission would be for all Commonwealth members. However, the UK will only support readmission when Zimbabwe meets the admission requirements, complying with the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth Charter. These principles include respect for human rights and the rule of law. Disproportionate use of force by Zimbabwe's security forces, as seen in January 2019 and August 2019, and recent reports regarding the abduction and torture of three opposition activists, are clearly inconsistent with the Commonwealth Charter. The Minister for Africa made this clear when he spoke to the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister on 8 June.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 11/06/2020 12:39:10 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1199443

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	CDC: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with representatives of the Commonwealth Development Corporation on adapting its investments and programmes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
	uin	HL5090
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>DFID ministers and officials are in frequent discussions with CDC’s Chair and Executive Leadership Team as the institution delivers its response to the COVID-19 crisis. Most recently, both the Secretary of State and the Minister for Africa held a productive discussion on 6 May 2020 with the CEO and Chair of CDC. As a long-term investor focussed on delivering development impact, CDC is taking a targeted response that preserves, strengthens and helps rebuild economies across Africa and South Asia to mitigate the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. As well as providing additional capital to help firms weather the crisis and meet immediate liquidity needs, CDC has also launched an Emergency Technical Assistance Facility and published advice on its website (<a href="https://www.cdcgroup.com/covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.cdcgroup.com/covid-19</a>) on measures that companies should take to protect the health and safety of employees and customers and protect jobs.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/06/2020 12:50:44 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick