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1228136

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	Israeli Settlements
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about reports of the construction of (1) a new settlement near Asira a-Shamaliya on land owned by Palestinians, and (2) earthworks by Israeli armed forces preventing Palestinians from reaching their farmland.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL7479
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>We consistently call for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, including settlement expansion and restrictions on freedom of movement within the West Bank, including to and from East Jerusalem. The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten they physical viability of a two-state solution. We urge Israel to halt settlement expansion immediately. We continue to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions on movement, access and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians. We are encouraging both sides to maintain calm and avoid taking actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:47:46 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1228137

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	Israel: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the Supreme Court of Israel's ruling that prisoners in Gilboa prison have no right to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL7480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>We remain concerned by the impact that COVID-19 could have on prisoners and detainees. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. This includes the increased risk due to lack of hygiene, proper ventilation, population density and issues of due process. We continue to call for steps to be taken that will reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in prisons whilst simultaneously respecting fundamental human rights.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:45:33 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1228152

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	Nigeria: Violence
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the killing of ten people, (2) the injury of others, and (3) the destruction of homes, during an attack by armed assailants on Zikpak, Nigeria, on 24 July; and how (1) UK aid, and (2) diplomatic influence, is being used (a) to protect vulnerable minorities, and (b) to address any escalation in attacks in Nigeria.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL7423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria, including a recently reported attack in Zikpak, Kaduna State on 24 July. There are many underlying causes to intercommunal violence in Nigeria, which include disputes over natural resources and competition over land exacerbated by climate change and population growth. The British High Commissioner and her team are increasing their diplomatic engagement with states affected by intercommunal violence, including Kaduna state. Officials from the British High Commission are engaging with State Governments, faith and community leaders, peacebuilding organisations, the Federal Government and others. The FCO co-hosted a conference at Wilton Park in February on Fostering Social Cohesion in Nigeria, which brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the complex causes of intercommunal violence. Discussions helped to form recommendations to tackle intercommunal violence in affected states in Nigeria. The Minister for Africa discussed intercommunal violence with the Nigerian President's Chief of Staff in June.</p><p>The UK is also providing technical support to the Nigerian Government for the development of the National Livestock Transformation Plan. The plan aims to promote cattle-rearing in one place, rather than the traditional nomadic practice, to limit competition over land and resources leading to violence.</p><p>We will continue to encourage the Government of Nigeria to take urgent action to protect those at risk of intercommunal violence, to bring perpetrators to justice and to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes and meet the needs of all communities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:34:06 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228153

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	Nigeria: Homicide
	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 (1) that at least 80 people have been killed in July in southern Kaduna, and (2) that 620 Christians have been killed in the region in the last 18 months; and what they consider to be the major reason for these attacks.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL7424
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria, including reported attacks in southern Kaduna State. We are concerned by a recent increase in attacks in the state. These attacks have had devastating effects on communities of all faiths, including Christian communities. We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting civilians and human rights for all. There are many underlying causes to intercommunal violence in Nigeria, which include disputes over natural resources and competition over land exacerbated by climate change and population growth. Religious identity is also a factor in some incidents of intercommunal violence, but we do not assess it to be the principal driver of the violence.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:35:38 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228154

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	Nigeria: Christianity
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the statement by the Rt Rev Abiodun Ogunyemi, the Anglican Bishop of Zaria, on 24 July, that the campaign against Christians in Nigeria is a “genocide”, and (2) the responsibilities of (a) the government of Kaduna State, (b) the government of Nigeria, and (c) the international community, under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention of Genocide; what plans they have to reassess the causes of the attacks against Christians in Nigeria; and whether any such plans will discount climate change as the major cause of such attacks.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL7425
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of the statement made by the Right Reverend Abiodun Ogunyemion on 24 July. The UK Government condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria, including the recently reported attacks in Kaduna State referred to in the Bishop's statement. Intercommunal violence in Kaduna State and Nigeria more widely affects communities of all faiths. We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities, at the highest levels, the importance of protecting civilians and human rights for all.</p><p>It is UK Government policy not to unilaterally determine whether genocide has occurred, in line with the Genocide Convention. This is a matter for competent courts and tribunals, including the International Criminal Court, after consideration of all the evidence, rather than governments or non-judicial bodies.</p><p>The UK Government's assessment remains that climate change is one of the drivers of intercommunal violence in Nigeria because of the resulting competition for natural resources. The Bishop of Truro also considered the effects of climate change on intercommunal violence in Nigeria in his independent report on the global persecution of Christians.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:38:08 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228161

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	China: Muslims
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to respond to the recommendations of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales report, Responsibility of States under International Law to Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, China, published 22 July.
	tabling member printed	Lord Collins of Highbury
	uin	HL7444
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of the Bar Human Rights Committee report published on 22 July and are carefully considering its findings. As the Foreign Secretary said during a Statement to the House on 20 July, we have particularly grave concerns about the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. We have repeatedly urged China to live up to its international obligations and raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including at the UN Human Rights Council where we delivered a joint statement on behalf of 27 other countries on 30 June.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:18:38 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury

1228162

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	China: International Law
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support independent, impartial and international mechanisms to investigate any violation by the government of China of its obligations and responsibilities under international law.
	tabling member printed	Lord Collins of Highbury
	uin	HL7445
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>As the Foreign Secretary said during a Statement to the House on 20 July, we have particularly grave concerns about the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. We have repeatedly urged China to live up to its international obligations and raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including at the UN Human Rights Council where we delivered a joint statement on behalf of 27 other countries on 30 June. We have also repeatedly called for China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to the region, including on 30 June at the UN Human Rights Council.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:17:48 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury

1228175

	registered interest
	date	28/07/2020
	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	Mubarak Bala
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about (1) the detention of Mubarak Bala, and (2) reports that the detention has included no contact with the detainee's (a) family, or (b) legal representatives.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Whitaker
	uin	HL7495
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government is monitoring Mr Bala's case closely. We continue to stress to the Government of Nigeria the importance of a transparent investigation that respects Mr Bala's human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief. Our High Commission in Abuja discussed the case with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the police after Mr Bala's arrest. James Duddridge (Minister for Africa) raised Mr Bala's case directly with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 21 May.</p><p>We welcome the recent magistrate court order instructing the police to allow Mr Bala access to legal representation. We call on the relevant authorities to ensure that the order is followed, and that Mr Bala's family are permitted visiting rights in line with local law and current Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Defending freedom of religion or belief for all remains a UK Government policy priority and we will continue to use our voice internationally to protect this human right.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:37:49 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	2510 label Biography information for Baroness Whitaker

1227989

	registered interest
	date	27/07/2020
	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	Nigeria: Non-governmental Organisations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 29 June (HL5836), what progress they have made in identifying NGOs who are running effective programmes to deter attacks on (1) farming communities, and (2) religious minorities, in Nigeria.
	tabling member printed	Lord Curry of Kirkharle
	uin	HL7347
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned by ‎intercommunal violence in Nigeria, which has had a devastating impact on many communities. We engage regularly with NGOs and a wide range of stakeholders working to address this violence. For example, in December 2019, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria visited Plateau State to meet with NGOs working on reconciliation. In February of this year, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Wilton Park hosted a joint conference on 'Fostering Social Cohesion in Nigeria' with participation from NGOs and civil society. The discussion focused on the complex causes of conflict and explored solutions: a full report from the conference has now been published.</p><p>The UK Government has provided technical support to the Nigerian Government for the development of the National Livestock Transformation Plan. The plan aims to promote cattle-rearing in one place, rather than the traditional nomadic practice, to limit competition over land and resources leading to violence.We are also designing our own programmes to address the high incidence of intercommunal violence in Nigeria. For example, a DFID programme to help address natural resource conflicts between farmers and herders, referred to in answer HL5836, is currently in development.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:19:57 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4250 label Biography information for Lord Curry of Kirkharle

1227990

	registered interest
	date	27/07/2020
	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	Leah Sharibu
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last made representations to the government of Nigeria about the abduction of Leah Sharibu; and what response they received.
	tabling member printed	Lord Curry of Kirkharle
	uin	HL7348
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government has repeatedly called for the release of all those abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, including Leah Sharibu. We welcomed President Buhari's statement in February, reiterating his Government's commitment to bring Leah home safely. We will continue to engage with the Government of Nigeria in support of urgent action to secure the return of Leah Sharibu and all abductees.</p><p>We regularly raise the issues of insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria and at the highest levels of the Nigerian Government. The Prime Minister discussed UK support for fighting terrorism in Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK Africa Investment Summit in January. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), Rehman Chishti MP, met with the then Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria in January 2020 to discuss FoRB matters covering Nigeria, which had been raised with him by parliamentarians, and NGOs. In February, Rehman Chishti MP also met Leah's mother to express the UK's continued commitment to help Nigeria secure the release of all abductees.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:23:59 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4250 label Biography information for Lord Curry of Kirkharle