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1126685

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Eritrea
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many asylum claims were made in each of the past three years by Eritreans; whether more illegal migrants were smuggled into the UK last year from Eritrea than from any other country; and what assessment they have made of religious persecution in Eritrea as a driver of Eritrean migration.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office publishes data on the number of applications for asylum in the UK, broken down by nationality, in its quarterly Immigration Statistics release. The number of applications made by Eritreans in each year are available in table as_01 (Main Applicants; Asylum, volume 1).</p><p>Latest edition available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/781299/asylum1-dec-2018-tables.ods" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/781299/asylum1-dec-2018-tables.ods</a></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> Total applications </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,230</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,085</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2018</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2,158</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Home Office is unable to report on whether more illegal migrants were smuggled in to the UK last year from Eritrea than from any other country, as the method of entry for those who entered the UK clandestinely and subsequently claimed asylum, is recorded on individual Home Office files and to obtain this information would require a manual trawl and could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.</p><p>All asylum and human rights applications from Eritrean nationals are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations. Each individual assessment is made against the background of the latest available country of origin information and any relevant caselaw. The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eritrea-country-policy-and-information-notes" target="_blank">Country Policy and Information Note Eritrea: Religious groups</a> published in February 2018 (available on Gov.uk) outlines our position.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name Eritrea_-_Religious_Groups_-_CPIN_-_v3.0.pdf title Eritea Religious Groups 2 file name Asylum1 -Dec 2018 Tables.xlsx title Asylum 1 - Dec 2018 Tables question first answered 24/05/2019 13:38:16 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127985

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking, with their international partners, to check the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what estimate they have made of the number of Ebola (1) cases, and (2) related deaths, in that country since August 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15870
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK is taking the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo extremely seriously. We are working with international partners to monitor the outbreak, and have been a leading donor to the response. UK funding to the World Health Organisation and UNICEF has enabled key activities critical to ending the outbreak including surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control and vaccination.</p><p>As of 27 May 2019, there have been 1,920 confirmed and probable cases and 1,281 deaths. However, consistent disruption to response activities, a high proportion of community deaths, and a low proportion of cases from known contacts, means that the number of cases may be higher than reported.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 05/06/2019 15:55:37 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1126683

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	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	Leah Sharibu
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken to secure the release of Leah Sharibu, following her sixteenth birthday.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15700
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK is committed to supporting the Nigerian Government in their attempts to secure the release of the remaining girls taken from Chibok, Leah Sharibu taken from Dapchi, and all others abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa. The Prime Minister raised the plight of the abducted school girls with the President of Nigeria during his official visit to the UK in 2018. We continue to use Ministerial visits, such as the Foreign Secretary's visit last month, and public messaging to ensure that the girls' plight is not forgotten. Our officials in Abuja will continue to engage regularly and offer their support to the Government of Nigeria and other organisations working to securing their release.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL15701 question first answered 24/05/2019 11:43:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127413

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Nigeria: Churches
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that 900 churches in Nigeria have been destroyed by Boko Haram; and what assessment they have made of whether such activity is part of a campaign to eradicate Christianity in the north of that country.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15824
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/05/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of the statement by the Christian Association of Nigeria in January 2017 which claimed that 900 churches have been destroyed by Boko Haram since 2009. We are unable to substantiate these numbers given the challenges of obtaining precise data in north east Nigeria. Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation with a vile ideology and history of attacking civilians, both Christian and Muslim. The majority of Boko Haram's victims have been Muslims. The UK condemns attacks on civilians, including on the basis of their religious belief. The Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of freedom of religious belief and UK support to combat extremists with the Nigerian Vice President during his visit to Nigeria in April. He also met with a wide range of religious leaders to discuss how the UK can support their work to promote interfaith dialogue and long-term peace, and visited North East Nigeria.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/05/2019 15:56:02 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127988

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	North Korea: Human Trafficking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that skewed gender ratios in China are exacerbating human trafficking from North Korea to China and leading to enforced prostitution and enslavement of women.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15873
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>It is possible that alongside a number of other social and economic factors, China’s skewed gender balance has contributed to the creation of a market in neighbouring countries, including North Korea, for trafficked girls and young women. The UK is at the forefront of raising global awareness of modern slavery and sexual violence, and continues to raise our concerns with other governments about the trafficking of girls and young women and the misery and suffering they endure.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/06/2019 15:43:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127414

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	North Korea: Food Supply
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UN World Food Programme's food security anylsis, published on 3 May, which states that North Korea’s food situation is critical and is set to worsen and that South Pyongan Province faces a severe food security crisis.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15825
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/06/2019 answer text <p>Limited availability of official data from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) makes comprehensive analysis of the situation difficult. DFID is currently the fourth largest donor to the World Food Programme (WFP). DFID provides both multi-year core funding (£40 million a year) and non-core funding. WFP can use these resources to respond rapidly to food insecurity where needs are greatest. DFID continues to track and monitor humanitarian risks around the globe.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 03/06/2019 14:55:16 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127409

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Shizam Riasat
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and freedom of religion or belief implications of the case of the 16 year old Pakistani Christian girl Sheeza Riasat who was abducted from her parents’ home near Gujranwala, Pakistan on 12 February and forcibly converted and married; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan about that case.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government is concerned about the case of Sheeza Riasat. The Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan.</p><p>We welcome the recent decision by the Pakistan Senate to pass the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2019. The Bill was recently introduced to the National Assembly.</p><p>The UK regularly raises concerns about the protection of vulnerable groups, including religious minorities, women and children, with the Pakistani Government. Officials at the British High Commission in Islamabad have raised the issue of forced marriage with the National Commission for Human Rights.</p><p>During my visit to Pakistan on 18 and 19 February, I met faith leaders to discuss issues faced by religious minorities, including the issue of forced marriage. I also raised our concerns about child protection, the treatment of minority communities and the issue of forced marriage with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, during the same visit.</p><p>We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to take the steps necessary to comply in full with its human rights obligations to vulnerable groups, including religious minorities and women and girls, and to uphold the rule of law.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL15821 question first answered 04/06/2019 12:56:58 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1127411

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Pakistan: Religious Freedom
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Pakistani girls, who are members of a religious minority, being removed from schools by their parents as a result of the number of abductions and forced conversions on the literacy rate of girls in Pakistan; and what steps they intend to take to help resolve this problem.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15822
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>​Education is an integral part of the UK's approach to improving human rights. The education of girls continues to be a priority for UK development assistance in Pakistan. Under the Punjab Education Sector Programme, we are working with a local partner organisation to reintegrate young and adolescent girls who have left school prematurely back into mainstream schools or vocational education. Within less than a year, over 4000 girls have benefitted from this intervention so far.</p><p>The British Government supports other programmes designed to improve human rights and opportunities for women, religious minorities and marginalised groups. For example, the Department for International Development's AAWAZ II programme works with communities to promote rights of children, women, youth and religious minorities, protect them from exploitation, and prevent discrimination and intolerance. It also funds interventions in support of ending child marriage.</p><p>During my visit to Pakistan in February, I raised our concerns about child protection, the treatment of minority communities and the issue of forced marriage with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari.</p><p>We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to take the steps necessary to comply in full with its human rights obligations to vulnerable groups, including religious minorities and women and girls.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/06/2019 13:02:16 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1126996

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2019
	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	Pakistan: Higher Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the treatment of the Principal of the Edwardes College, Peshawar, and his family and the attempts to intervene in the administration of the College by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor on religious minorities and educational opportunities in Pakistan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15757
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of this case. The British Government regularly raises its concerns about discrimination against minority communities with the Pakistani Government at a senior level. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, during my visit to Islamabad in February.</p><p>At the UN Periodic Review of Pakistan's human rights record in November 2017, the UK called on Pakistan to strengthen protection of minorities and establish an independent National Commission for Minorities. The Government will continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to religious minorities, and to uphold the rule of law.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 28/05/2019 14:40:54 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1126684

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	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	Nigeria: Abduction
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the protests in Nigeria demanding the release of the Chibok schoolgirls who have been held in captivity for over 1,500 days; and when they last raised their captivity, and that of Leah Sharibu, with the President of Nigeria.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL15701
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK is committed to supporting the Nigerian Government in their attempts to secure the release of the remaining girls taken from Chibok, Leah Sharibu taken from Dapchi, and all others abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa. The Prime Minister raised the plight of the abducted school girls with the President of Nigeria during his official visit to the UK in 2018. We continue to use Ministerial visits, such as the Foreign Secretary's visit last month, and public messaging to ensure that the girls' plight is not forgotten. Our officials in Abuja will continue to engage regularly and offer their support to the Government of Nigeria and other organisations working to securing their release.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL15700 question first answered 24/05/2019 11:43:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool