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1167216

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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: Elections
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 disqualification of Joshua Wong from being able to stand for election in the District Council elections in Hong Kong; whether they are monitoring those elections for irregularities; whether they intend to challenge any unjust disqualifications and irregularities; and if so, how.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL484
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>We are concerned by the rejection of Joshua Wong's nomination for next month's local elections. Standing for election is a fundamental right enshrined in Hong Kong's Basic Law and Bill of Rights. Now, more than ever, it is vital that Hong Kong's political processes and institutions help to build trust amongst the public. Hong Kong's success is built on its rights and freedoms, including open and inclusive debate. We will continue to make these points to the Hong Kong SAR government.</p><p>Hong Kong district council elections will be an important opportunity for the citizens of Hong Kong to exercise their rights to make their voices heard. We will of course follow the conduct of the elections closely, and raise any concerns with the relevant authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:18:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1167217

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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: Refugees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of remarks made to the human rights committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 22 October that in the past six months he has received information from family members living in South Korea (1) that an increasing number of North Korean escapees are being detained in China, and (2) that those that are returned to North Korea are likely to be tortured or subjected to other human rights violations; when they last raised this with the government of China; what response they received; and what actions they have taken at United Nations fora to highlight these issues.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>​We are extremely concerned about the repatriation of North Koreans by Chinese authorities and the conditions they may face on return to North Korea. When we hear of individuals facing repatriation, we seek to raise their cases directly with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with our international partners. We did so most recently in May 2019. We will continue to monitor closely and will again emphasise to China that people fleeing North Korea should be treated as legitimate asylum claimants and should not be returned, as stipulated by the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.</p><p>The British Government regularly raises its concerns over the human rights situation in North Korea in multilateral fora including the UN Security Council, General Assembly and Human Rights Council. At a briefing with the UN Special Rapporteur on 22 October, we discussed what more could be done to ensure legitimate North Korean asylum claimants are not forcibly repatriated when crossing international borders. We will continue to work with the Special Rapporteur and the international community to address these concerns.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:21:56 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1167219

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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	Africa: Conflict Resolution
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 effectiveness of African-led efforts to end conflict in Africa, including the Silence the Guns 2020 initiative; and what steps they intend to take to support such efforts.
tabling member printed	Lord Boateng
uin	HL487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK welcomes the efforts of the African Union and its sub-regional organizations to prevent, mediate and settle conflicts in Africa. Helping deliver stability and security is a critical component of the UK’s strategic approach to Africa. It is vital that we retain a strong focus on action, translating the noble goal of silencing the guns into concrete initiatives that will make a tangible difference to the lives of ordinary Africans. The UK is working with our partners across Africa to support mediation, women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution, and countering the proliferation of weapons, especially small arms and light weapons.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 16:49:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	147 label Biography information for Lord Boateng

1167220

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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	Africa: Conflict Resolution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to enhance cooperation between the UN, the EU, and international, regional, and sub-regional institutions, to advance support for peace in (1) the Sahel, (2) the African Great Lakes, and (3) the Horn of Africa.
tabling member printed	Lord Boateng
uin	HL488
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK is enhancing its diplomatic and development efforts across the Sahel to improve international coordination. For example, the UK is expanding its Embassies in Mali and Mauritania, establishing new Embassies in Niger and Chad and setting up a regional hub in Dakar, Senegal. We are seeking to ensure that the Sahel Alliance of donors and the new Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel encourage close partnership between donors and Sahel governments and regional organisations. We are also working to ensure that the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) works effectively with the Malian Government and other security operations in the region. The UK will deploy 250 military personnel to this mission next year.</p><p>The UK also supports efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to the Great Lakes region. The UK actively supports the work of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, who oversees the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSCF). This aims to address the root causes of conflict in the Great Lakes region. The UK is a significant bilateral donor in support of peacebuilding efforts in the region and supporter of MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in eastern DRC.</p><p>In the Horn of Africa, the UK is the penholder for all discussions on Somalia in the United Nations Security Council. This includes drafting the mandates for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM); both of which place strong emphasis on the need for coordination between Somalia's international supporters. In Sudan, the UK has frequent engagement with the AU, EU and UN counterparts to provide coordinated political and technical assistance to support the programme of reform and change that the new government has initiated. In addition, with our UN Security Council partners, we are securing renewed mandates for the UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur and the UN mission in Abyei. These will support developing peace processes led by the new government of Sudan. The UK also takes a lead role in South Sudan as a member of the Troika (with Norway and the US) to press for an end to the conflict, and implementation of the Peace Agreement signed on 12 September 2018. We released a statement on 21 October alongside Troika partners urging all sides to demonstrate their commitment to peace by increasing co-operation and working together to resolve outstanding issues (see attached document). We also engage frequently with regional countries, particularly members of IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development) who brokered the Agreement. The UK takes a prominent role with the UN, providing 300 troops to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. We also play an active role at the UN in New York to ensure attention and support of the international community on ending the conflict that has killed nearly 400,000 since 2013.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:03:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name HL488 Boateng Attachment.docx title South Sudan Troika Statement
tabling member	147 label Biography information for Lord Boateng

1167221

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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	Africa: Peacekeeping Operations
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 adequacy of funding for UN support to African Peace Support Operations.
tabling member printed	Lord Boateng
uin	HL489
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>​The UK supports the principle of the African Union (AU) accessing UN assessed contributions for future AU-led peace support operations, subject to the conditions previously agreed by the UN Security Council</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:04:08 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	147 label Biography information for Lord Boateng

1167240

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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	Bosnia and Herzegovina: EU Defence Policy
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the objectives of the EU’s Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and what contribution, if any, the UK is making to that operation.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL508
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>​EUFOR Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is an EU military operation. It operates under a UN Chapter VII mandate and under the Berlin Plus arrangements, is commanded by NATO and has access to NATO assets and capabilities. Its main objective is to support the authorities of BiH to maintain a ‘Safe and Secure Environment’. The United Kingdom has consistently supported its aims and objectives. The United Kingdom shares Operation Althea’s common costs with the other 22 participating nations. We currently contribute a number of staff officers, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance taskforce and offer an ‘over the horizon’ reserve battalion.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/11/2019 17:34:27 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1167241

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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: Ceasefires
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 extent to which the agreed ceasefire in north-east Syria is being respected by all armed groups; and what proposals they have for making it (1) effective, and (2) permanent.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL509
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>We welcome the fact that the ceasefire in north-east Syria appears to be broadly holding and that Turkey has confirmed it has no plans for a further offensive. Implementation of the ceasefire is for the parties directly involved but we have made clear our expectation that all parties abide by the agreed ceasefire and by their obligations under international humanitarian law. We been consistently clear with Turkey on our opposition to its military action in north-east Syria – the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Minister for the Middle East and North Africa have each made this clear to their Turkish counterparts, most recently on 26 October.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:49:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1167242

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 29 October (HL109), how many repatriations of British citizens or residents now in Syria, in particular in the north-east, have so far been achieved through their case-by-case approach; and whether they are seeking the help of both non-governmental organisations and international organisations to ensure the process supports those people affected effectively.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>​We do not routinely comment on individual cases. We can confirm that in the last 12 months there have been a small number of British children who have left Syria and returned to the UK via third countries. As a matter of general policy, we provide consular assistance to British Nationals not UK residents. The UK has no consular presence within Syria from which to provide assistance. Each case is considered on an individual basis. As the Foreign Secretary has said, the Government will work with a range of partners in Syria and at home to facilitate the return of unaccompanied or orphan children where feasible and subject to national security concerns. This includes both non-governmental organisations and international organisations.'</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:50:05 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1167262

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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: Rohingya
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Rohingya people’s civil and human rights are being upheld in Myanmar.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL530
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The recent UN Fact Finding Mission report is clear that the situation is dire for the 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State. The British Government is clear that Rohingya in Myanmar continue to be at serious risk of human rights violations, including mass killings, sexual and gender-based violence and human trafficking. We are particularly concerned at restrictions on freedom of movement, religious belief and access to education. This situation has been exacerbated by the conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military.</p><p>We continue to push the Government of Myanmar to fully implement the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission, in order to improve conditions for all those who living in Rakhine State. Baroness Sugg raised this with senior government figures in Rakhine on her recent visit.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:54:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1167264

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
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: Ethnic Groups
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 of attacks against Chin people in Myanmar.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL532
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>​The UK is concerned by reports of attacks against the Chin people and missing Chin residents as a result of serious clashes between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military. This conflict has now displaced tens of thousands of people, with civilians caught in the middle. We call on both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 17:54:51 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans