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1132614

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	Burma: Christianity
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of, and (2) what representations they made to the government of Burma about, reports from Chin State, Burma, that on 24 and 25 May three Christians in Padekyaw village were forced to sign documents by village officials and local monks verifying their conversion to Buddhism after being threatened with eviction if they refused; that Christians were told they could not live in Hmwar Village Tract; and a public announcement made in eight villages threatening residents that communicating or trading with Christians would result in a fine.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16392
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​The British Government has noted the recent report from the China Human Rights Organisation and continues to be concerned by restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, including reports of forced conversions, in Burma. The UK, working with the EU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, secured a UN Human Rights Council Resolution on 27 September 2018 that called for the amending or repealing of discriminatory provisions of the &quot;protection of race and religion laws&quot; in Burma covering religious conversion, interfaith marriage, monogamy and population control. Our Ambassador met the Burmese Minister for Religious Affairs on 9 August 2018, and underlined the importance of interfaith dialogue.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:42:20 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1133029

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	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	Sudan: EU Immigration
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) whether the UK's financial contributions to the Khartoum Process have funded the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, and (2) what assessment they have made of reports that the Rapid Support Forces sold migrants to Libyan human traffickers and abused migrants' fundamental human rights.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16447
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The purpose of the Khartoum Process is to facilitate an EU-Africa dialogue on managing migration, combatting organised immigration crime and addressing the effects of trafficking in the Horn and North Africa. It is called the Khartoum Process because the agreement was signed in Khartoum but it is not specific to Sudan. The UK's financial contributions to the Khartoum Process have not funded the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces. EU funded work on the Regional Operations Centre Khartoum is currently suspended.</p><p>The UK is aware of reports that the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces sold migrants to Libyan human traffickers and abused migrants' fundamental human rights, but is not able to verify their veracity. The British Government has been clear on the need to do more to break the business model of people smugglers, and is taking steps to try to improve the situation in Libya. This includes working with the Government of National Accord to build the capacity of their law enforcement agencies, and taking steps to tackle the organised crime groups who facilitate the travel from source countries to Europe and the United Kingdom. In June 2018, the UK co-designated UN sanctions against six Libyan and Eritrean traffickers along with France, the US, Germany and the Netherlands.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 02/07/2019 14:10:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1132622

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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	Hong Kong: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British passport holders are in Hong Kong; and what are their obligations to the holders of such passports.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
	uin	HL16400
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>​We do not hold information regarding the number of British passport holders in Hong Kong. Our obligation to all British nationals abroad is set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's publically available guide: 'Support for British nationals abroad'. Some examples of the support we provide to all British nationals abroad include: issuing emergency travel documents, providing local information (details of local lawyers interpreters and doctors), and providing notarial and documentary services.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:04:11 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	3609 label Biography information for Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

1131890

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2019
	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	Israel: Lebanon
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they assess progress in negotiations between Israel and Lebanon about offshore gas and oil, in particular over the Block 9 oilfield; and whether they are able to provide technical assistance to the parties involved with offshore resources in the eastern Mediterranean.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL16308
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>We welcome attempts by all parties involved in negotiations over the maritime border to find a solution which is acceptable to all sides. A deal is in everyone’s interests and the UK stands ready to support.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/06/2019 11:44:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1130236

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	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	Syria: Armed Conflict
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to prevent combatant forces in Idlib Province, Syria, from killing more civilians and children.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL16097
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>​We are gravely concerned by the escalation in military action by Russia and the Syrian regime in Idlib. We are appalled that civilian infrastructure has been hit, including 24 health facilities, and by reports of civilian casualties and mass displacement. We are using public statements, diplomatic relationships and international fora, including the UN Security Council, to increase the pressure on all parties to end the violence, return to the ceasefire agreed in September 2018 and abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. Through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, the UK is supporting innovative new technology that provides civilians in Idlib with early warnings of airstrikes in order to save lives. We also continue to support international efforts to document violations of international humanitarian law being committed in Idlib.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/06/2019 11:25:54 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1131893

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2019
	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	Roma Holocaust Memorial Day
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will be represented at the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Krakow on 2 August.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL16311
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>​The British Government will be represented at the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Krakow on 2 August by The Rt Hon Lord Pickles, Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/06/2019 11:41:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

1133817

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Bahrain: Politics and Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis their Human Rights and Democracy report, published on 5 June, “welcomed continuing progress in and commitment to the democratic process” in Bahrain following its elections in November 2018; and what account that report took of (1) the government of Bahrain's ban on all political opposition from electoral participation in, and (2) condemnation by the United States Congress and the parliaments of the UK, the EU, Ireland and Italy, of those elections.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL16568
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Bahrain held parliamentary elections for the fifth time in November. The British Government takes note of a number of information sources on Bahrain and we continue to encourage Bahrain to ensure all elections are fair, transparent and inclusive.​</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/07/2019 13:30:25 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

1131458

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	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	Conflict Resolution
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to review and strengthen the effectiveness of conflict resolution policies of the UK to address persistent and accelerating conflict, and flashpoints, particularly in (1) Afghanistan, (2) Egypt, (3) Iran, (4) Iraq, (5) Libya, and (7) Syria; and what steps they are taking with partners in the Commonwealth, the EU, and the UN to review equivalent policies.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL16252
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The British Government’s actions to prevent conflict in Afghanistan and in the Middle East and North Africa include:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Afghanistan</strong>: Continuing our close engagement with the Afghan government and our international partners to help bring about an inclusive and sustainable Afghan-led peace process as quickly as possible. We strongly support current US efforts to drive forward peace. The UK welcomed the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council in April that set out a clear path for how the EU will support peace in Afghanistan. We also support the important contribution made by the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA). Prospects for peace are probably better now than at any time since 2001. However, after decades of war and the lack of trust on all sides, achieving a credible and sustainable peace process is challenging.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Egypt:</strong> The UK plans to spend more than £50m from 2016 to 2020 to support Egypt’s continued stability, by providing economic opportunities for and protecting ordinary Egyptians, tackling radicalisation and safeguarding tourists and British nationals. The Home Office and Egyptian Ministry of Interior are committed to increasing cooperation across a wide range of areas, including counter-terrorism, illegal migration and organised crime.</p></li><li><p><strong>Iran:</strong> We are working with regional and international partners to call for restraint in order to de-escalate the situation. Yet we remain determined to preserve the Iran nuclear deal, and are working with E3 partners to achieve this. This deal remains in our shared interests as long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal in full. It is a key achievement of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, which is in our shared security interests. We are deeply concerned at the heightened level of regional tension. Our priority remains de-escalation.</p></li><li><p><strong>Iraq:</strong> Providing support, together with the Coalition and international partners, to the Iraqi security sector in countering the ongoing threat from Daesh, and addressing the root causes of this threat. This involves addressing the underlying political, social and economic drivers which led to Daesh’s rise. We continue to support, alongside UN partners, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) whose mandate renewal was unanimously approved on 21 May 2019. The UK held the pen on UNSCR 2379 which was unanimously adopted by the UNSC in 2017 and established the UN Investigative Team for the Accountability of Daesh (UNITAD). UNITAD will seek to ensure documentation and accountability for Daesh crimes and work with the Government of Iraq to support reconciliation efforts.</p></li><li><p><strong>Libya:</strong> We are engaging in intensive diplomacy, involving the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ghassan Salamé, and partners in the UN and EU. The UK is clear that all parties must commit to a ceasefire, ensure humanitarian access, and return to UN-mediated political talks. The EU28 issued a statement on 12 April 2019 condemning the violence, and urging all parties to resume political dialogue.</p></li><li><p><strong>Syria:</strong> Our diplomatic and programme efforts remain focused on bringing the conflict to an end through a UN-led negotiated political settlement. The UN-led Geneva process between the Syrian parties remains the forum to achieve this. We are also engaged in completing the enduring defeat of Daesh. As events unfold, we are keeping our approach under constant review.</p></li></ul> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/06/2019 13:10:37 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

1131457

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	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	Conflict Resolution
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to review and strengthen the effectiveness of conflict resolution policies of the UK to address persistent and accelerating conflict, and flashpoints, particularly in (1) Benin, (2) Burkina Faso, (3) Cameroon, (4) Central African Republic, (5) Chad, (6) Democratic Republic of the Congo, (7) Mali, (8) Nigeria, (9) Togo, (10) Somalia, and (11) Sudan; and what steps they are taking with partners in the Commonwealth, the EU, and the UN to review equivalent policies.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL16251
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>As outlined in our answer to HL16250, the British Government is taking a number of actions to prevent conflict. In Sub-Saharan Africa, we are:</p><ul><li><p>Using funding from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) which has led, for example, to the roll out of new peacekeeping-intelligence architecture in the three missions with the highest number of casualties - <strong>Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic</strong>. Our sizeable funding contribution to the UN is used as leverage to advocate for UN reform and improve the way it operates.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Promoting peace and security in <strong>Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali</strong> through diplomacy and targeted support. We support UN and French security efforts through direct contributions to MINUSMA in Northern Mali and the deployment of three RAF Chinook helicopters to France’s Counter-Terrorism Operation Barkhane. We work closely with the G5 and other partners to provide life-saving assistance and protection to people on the frontline of conflict. The UK is also focusing on developing programmes to tackle the long-term drivers of instability and poverty.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Urging all parties in <strong>Benin</strong> to engage in dialogue to overcome their differences and find a peaceful solution. We share the concerns of the EU, France, the US and the UN about acts of violence in Benin following the 28 April legislative elections.</p></li><li><p>Regularly addressing the situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of <strong>Cameroon</strong> with international partners including the UN, EU, Commonwealth and African Union to encourage and support efforts to resolve the crisis. The UK remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in the Anglophone regions and the impact it is having on the lives of ordinary civilians. We have shared experiences with the Government of Cameroon (GoC) on conflict resolution; and remain ready to provide further support. We raised our concerns during briefings at the UN Security Council on 4 and 12 June, and led on a statement with Austria at the UN Human Rights Council in March, which was supported by 39 countries, calling on the GoC to establish a credible political dialogue to address root causes of the conflict.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Providing the <strong>Central African Republic (CAR)</strong> with significant humanitarian spend (£63m since 2013) and core contributions to key multilateral organisations on the ground, such as the World Bank and the EU. Support to UN peacekeeping efforts include assessed contributions (£40.5m per annum to MINUSCA peacekeeping mission and €2m to the EU Training Mission).</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Pressing our long-term approach to stability in the <strong>Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),</strong> including through significant contributions to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). We are supporting security reforms, stabilisation and peace building initiatives through DFID programmes and the CSSF.</p></li><li><p>Providing training to <strong>Nigeria’s</strong> armed forces combat insurgent groups, support communities to better respond and manage the effects of violent conflict, and to support the reintegration of former members of Boko Haram. We are also working closely with the EU, US and UN to provide technical support to the Nigerian Government to address the underlying causes of intercommunal violence affecting many parts of Nigeria, including the recently announced National Livestock Transformation Plan, which aims to mitigate escalating violence between pastoralists and farmers. We are currently reviewing how we might further assist the Nigerian Government in their efforts to tackle conflict in the northeast of the country.</p></li><li><p>Building on the work of the UK-hosted London Conference on <strong>Somalia</strong> in 2017, which brought together Somalia’s key partners, including the UN, EU and a number of members of the Commonwealth. This established a set of agreements that provide the foundation for a more coherent international approach to Somalia with conflict resolution at its core. We are careful to ensure that all UK policies and programmes in Somalia maintain a focus on conflict sensitivity, and regularly undertake conflict analysis to support this. In particular, our work includes activity under the CSSF to address the drivers of conflict and build capacity at both local and regional levels.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Supporting community-based peacebuilding programmes, in concert with the UN and other international partners, namely the African Union, in areas of instability and conflict in <strong>Sudan</strong>. The UK has a long standing role in supporting sustainable peace in Sudan. As a member of the Troika and bilaterally, we have supported progress in the Peace Process seeking to find a solution to the conflicts in Darfur and the Two Areas. In addition the UK plays a leading role in the UN Security Council, particularly as the penholder on the mandate for UNAMID – the African Union hybrid Mission in Darfur.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The Minister for Africa met with <strong>Togolese</strong> President Gnassingbé and reiterated the importance of delivering 2020 Presidential elections on time and a return to inclusive politics. The UK continues to encourage all parties to avoid violence and respect the human rights of all Togolese people. The UK supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brokered roadmap, along with the EU, which has seen Togo recently adopt two-term limits on presidential terms, in line with other ECOWAS states. The change however does not apply retrospectively and has been rejected by the opposition.</p></li></ul> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/06/2019 12:23:46 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

1131460

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	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	Conflict Resolution
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to review and strengthen the effectiveness of conflict resolution policies of the UK to address persistent and accelerating conflict, and flashpoints, particularly in (1) Honduras, and (2) Nicaragua; and what steps they are taking with partners in the Commonwealth, the EU, and the UN to review equivalent policies.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL16254
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>​On Honduras, the UK recently joined the G16 group of donors, which supports efforts to address issues pertaining to security, human rights and the rule of law, and engages with the Honduran Government and civil society organisations. On Nicaragua, the UK has publicly called for an end to the violent repression of peaceful protests, the release of arbitrarily detained political prisoners and for the Government to engage constructively in political dialogue, including in Nicaragua's Universal Periodic Review and supporting EU Council Conclusions and statements.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/06/2019 14:55:30 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd