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1646837

registered interest
date	22/06/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	UNRWA: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with other donor countries about providing new funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA) following UNWRA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini’s forecast on 20 June of likely cuts to UNWRA's service provision.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL8727
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2023 answer text <p>We are longstanding supporters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), providing essential humanitarian support to Palestinian refugees across its five zones of operation. Our annual contribution to their programme budget helps UNRWA provide education to over 533,000 children a year (half of them girls), and access to health services for 3.5 million Palestinian refugees. We are aware of UNRWA's financial challenges and frequently raise this with MENA regional partners at ministerial level<ins class="ministerial">.</ins><del class="ministerial">, most recently with the Government of the United Arab Emirates.</del> To that end, the UK Government is working with UNRWA and other international donors to help ensure its sustainability.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/07/2023 15:25:12 question first ministerially corrected 13/07/2023 10:37:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 85846 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1643202

registered interest
date	08/06/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Kosovo: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) political, and (2) security, situation in Kosovo, following the recent unrest in that country; and what discussions they have had with (a) EU partners, and (b) NATO partners, regarding that situation.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL8352
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">We condemned the unprovoked attack on NATO troops in northern Kosovo on 29 May and remain in close contact with NATO Allies and fellow Kosovo Force (KFOR) contributors. Alongside international partners we are taking immediate steps to de-escalate and return to dialogue. The Foreign Secretary reiterated these messages when he spoke to the Kosovo Prime Minister on 8 June, as did the Prime Minister's Envoy, Lord Peach when he spoke to President Vucic on 7 June. I discussed the current tensions with Kosovo's Foreign Minister on 8 June.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Following the violent protests which started on 26 May, the situation in northern Kosovo has calmed but remains tense. We condemned the unprovoked attack on NATO troops on 29 May and remain in close contact with NATO Allies. We are urging immediate steps to de-escalate, and a return to dialogue. The Foreign Secretary reiterated these messages when he spoke to the Kosovo Prime Minister on 8 June and Serbian Prime Minister on 13 June, as did the Prime Minister's Envoy, Lord Peach when he spoke to President Vucic on 7 June. I [Lord Ahmad] discussed the current tensions with Kosovo's Foreign Minister on 8 June.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/06/2023 15:13:47 question first ministerially corrected 22/06/2023 15:22:06 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 83241 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1625806

registered interest
date	03/05/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Iraq: Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to engage the government of Iraq on the topic of safety and security in Sinjar following the resettlement of Daesh-affiliated families and suspected Daesh perpetrators to Sinjar.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2023 answer text <p>Our diplomatic missions are in regular contact with Government of Iraq and Kurdistan regional Government authorities on the safety and security of the communities located in Sinjar. The UK Government provides funding support to the Directorate of Yazidi Affairs and during my [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] recent visit to Iraq I met with Yazidi communities and leaders to hear their experiences and reiterate UK support.</p><p>Our &quot;Building Peace and Security in Iraq&quot; (BPSI) programme will support those affected by the protracted displacement crisis and includes both returnees and local communities, who face many of the same problems. The UK continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government of Iraq as it works to rebuild from Daesh and deliver a more peaceful and hope<ins class="ministerial">ful future for its citizens, not divided along sectarian lines of old.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 17/05/2023 10:33:05 question first ministerially corrected 17/05/2023 13:07:04 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 74943 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1613042

registered interest
date	20/04/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Saudi Arabia: Prisoners
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia concerning the judicial treatment of Salma al Shehab and Noura al Qahtani; and concerning their treatment, and the treatment of other women, in Saudi prisons.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7329
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2023 answer text <p>We have raised the continued detention of individuals for expressing their political views, including women and women's rights defenders, with the Saudi government. The FCDO is monitoring the cases of Salma al-Shehab and Noura al-Qahtani. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] <del class="ministerial">I</del> most recently raised their cases with the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission on 11 April. We will continue to raise human rights issues, including individual cases, with the Saudi authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/05/2023 10:13:33 question first ministerially corrected 09/05/2023 10:17:58 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 73139 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1606944

registered interest
date	23/03/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	BBC Arabic Service
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they had any metrics in place to quantify the soft power advantage of the BBC Arabic radio service during its 85 years of broadcasting; what assessment they have made of any loss of soft power to the UK following its closure on 27 January; and whether they have had any discussions on the matter with the BBC in 2023.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL6799
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The FCDO values the work of the BBC World Service in promoting UK values globally. As the world's most trusted international broadcaster, it is a vital tool in providing accurate and impartial news to 365 million people globally each week. The FCDO engages regularly with the BBC and the Foreign Secretary periodically agrees with the BBC their objectives, priorities and targets, which include metrics relating to audience reach. However, the BBC remains operationally and editorially independent of Government, decisions about delivery of services are for them to take.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Though BBC Arabic radio has closed, the service remains available on TV and digital platforms, which are fast becoming the most popular form of engagement. BBC Arabic is funded by the Licence Fee, with some additional support from the FCDO through the 'World2020 programme'. As stated in the Integrated Review Refresh, the UK Government is working to bring soft power into its broader foreign policy approach. This includes providing a one-off £20 million uplift to the World Service to protect all 42 language services, recognising its crucial role in supporting UK soft power and countering harmful disinformation.</del></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The FCDO strongly values the important work of the BBC World Service in providing accurate and impartial news to 365 million people globally each week.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The FCDO engages regularly with the BBC. The BBC and the Foreign Secretary periodically agree objectives, priorities and targets, which include audience reach metrics. However, the BBC remains operationally and editorially independent of Government and service delivery decisions are for them to take. Though BBC Arabic radio broadcasting has ceased, the service remains available via TV and digital platforms, reflecting audience trends. BBC Arabic is funded by the Licence Fee, with some additional support via the FCDO-funded 'World2020 programme'.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">As stated in the Integrated Review Refresh, the UK Government is working to bring soft power into its broader foreign policy approach. This includes providing a one-off £20 million uplift to the World Service to protect all 42 language services, recognising its crucial role in supporting UK soft power and countering harmful disinformation.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/04/2023 10:35:10 question first ministerially corrected 06/04/2023 10:52:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 67663 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1463846

registered interest
date	17/05/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	UK Trade with EU: Agricultural Products
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when negotiations will resume with the European Commission regarding Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Veterinary Arrangements and the Customs Code as part of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
uin	HL321
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2022 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The Foreign Secretary, as UK Co-chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, and her predecessor Lord Frost met their EU counterpart, Vice President Maroš Šefčovič on 26 occasions since September 2021 to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol. This also includes one meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on 21 February 2022. These discussions were supported by approximately 300 hours of negotiations over 6 months by UK and EU officials, covering sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS), customs, VAT and excise, goods, subsidy control, medicines, and governance.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We have engaged in negotiations with the European Union in good faith. After almost two years of negotiations, we are asking the Commission to go back to Member States for a new mandate, that would provide the flexibility to fix the current issues facing the people of Northern Ireland.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Our preference is for a negotiated outcome - but we cannot wait to fix the issues facing the people of Northern Ireland. We will take steps to stabilise the situation in Northern Ireland and bring parity to everyone living in the UK, but we remain open to further talks if we can fix the issues with the Protocol through a negotiated settlement. Meanwhile, the legislation we will bring forward will fix the domestic impact of the Protocol, stabilise the situation in Northern Ireland and form an executive - protecting the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement - without undermining the integrity of either the EU or the UK's single market.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 07/06/2022 14:56:18 question first ministerially corrected 07/06/2022 16:04:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 4818 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1351675

registered interest
date	18/08/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Afghanistan: Taliban
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 future of Afghanistan under Taliban control; and whether they intend to recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL2349
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/08/2021 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">Our absolute priority is to evacuate as many people as possible. Our ability to do that is determined by the security situation on the ground, which is extremely changeable and complex, and we are taking this operation day by day.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The policy of the British Government is to recognise States, not Governments. As the Prime Minister has said, we will judge the Taliban by their actions not their words and respond accordingly. We will take a coordinated approach with our partners as the Prime Minister announced at the G7 Leaders meeting on 24 August.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/08/2021 10:01:36 question first ministerially corrected 31/08/2021 08:25:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 17962 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1338319

registered interest
date	21/06/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Travel: Coronavirus
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 on the economy of South Africa of the UK’s decision to put South Africa on the red list for COVID-19 travel restrictions; and in particular the effect on (1) the tourism industry, and (2) funding for conservation programmes.
tabling member printed	Lord Oates
uin	HL1255
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2021 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The UK's Travel Advice makes clear that the Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office advises against all but essential travel to South Africa based on the assessment of COVID-19 risks. While we hope that travel for tourism purposes will resume soon between the UK and South Africa, public health remains our number one priority. The current traffic light system will continue to categorise countries based on risk to protect public health.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The current traffic light system categorises countries based on risk to protect public health and the vaccine rollout from variants of COVID-19.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">South Africa is an important partner for the UK, including in the tourism industry, which pre-pandemic saw approximately 400,000 British Nationals travel to South Africa annually. While we hope that travel for tourism purposes will resume soon between the UK and South Africa, public health remains our number one priority.</ins></p><p>The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a significant impact on South Africa's economy, with real GDP growth at -7 per cent in 2020. The situation remains challenging for 2021, although GDP forecasts are more positive. Many sectors of South Africa's economy have been affected, including the tourism industry, with South Africa receiving 72.6 per cent fewer tourists from countries worldwide in 2020.</p><p>There is no direct link between UK travel restrictions and funding for conservation work, the UK remains committed to working with South Africa on environmental and conservation issues.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/07/2021 15:56:35 question first ministerially corrected 05/07/2021 16:50:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 11451 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4549 label Biography information for Lord Oates

1338354

registered interest
date	21/06/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Nigeria: Fulani
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to recent reports of targeted attacks in Nigeria against the (1) Yoruba people, and (2) Igbo people, by armed Fulani herders.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL1232
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2021 answer text <p>The Government condemns all incidents of violence in Nigeria. We are following with concern the increased insecurity in the South West, where there has been a rise in both criminal violence and distinct clashes between farmers and herders. We are also concerned by the increasing vigilantism in response. Narratives that define the violence by ethnic groups risk fueling tensions and further violence, as well as undermining efforts to address the complex root causes, which include competition for resources and rapid population growth.</p><p>The Government is also concerned by the increasing levels of violence in the South East. We are working in Nigeria to promote intercommunal and interfaith dialogue, and continue to call for solutions that address the complex underlying causes of violence. Officials at the British High Commission regularly meet faith and community leaders and civil society organisations in both the South East and South West. During his visit to Nigeria in April, the Minister for Africa met the President's Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, and the Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, to discuss insecurity. The Minister raised the importance of protecting all communities across Nigeria. <del class="ministerial">Across Nigeria, the</del> <ins class="ministerial">The</ins> UK is also concerned about the plight of the estimated one million civilians living in inaccessible areas to humanitarian workers, of whom 880,000 have very limited access to food and to basic services such as healthcare.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 05/07/2021 16:22:08 question first ministerially corrected 05/07/2021 16:54:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 11485 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1313612

registered interest
date	11/05/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	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 treatment of non-religious people globally and, in particular, in countries where the human rights of non-religious people are not being upheld.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL4
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p><ins class="ministerial">Members of non-religious communities continue to be victims of harassment and persecution, despite progress over recent years with the promotion of freedom of religion or belief for all. The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the severity and scale of violations and abuses of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all in many parts of the world. Protecting freedom of religion or belief for all faiths, and none, remains a priority for the UK Government. As the Minister responsible for Human Rights, I underlined these points at the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist’ Group Annual General Meeting on 24 May.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">I also work closely with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP. In addition to championing FoRB, Mrs Bruce represents the UK at meetings of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance to advocate for the rights of individuals being discriminated against or persecuted on the basis of their faith or belief, including members of non-religious communities.</ins></p><p><del class="ministerial">The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right to FoRB for all, including individuals from non-religious communities, is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. On a country level, Ministers and officials regularly raise specific cases of concern, and discuss practices and laws that discriminate on the basis of religion or belief. On a multilateral level, we work within the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance ('Alliance') and other international organisations and networks to promote and protect FoRB for all where it is threatened.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">As the Minister responsible for Human Rights I underlined the UK's commitment to FoRB for all, in a number of international meetings in November 2020, speaking at the Ministerial to Advance FoRB and the Ministers' Forum of the Alliance. On 20 December 2020, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to FoRB by appointing Fiona Bruce MP as his Special Envoy for FoRB. Mrs Bruce represents the UK at meetings of the Alliance who work to advocate for the rights of individuals being discriminated against or persecuted on the basis of their faith or belief.</del></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/05/2021 16:51:39 question first ministerially corrected 25/05/2021 17:00:48 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 2675 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool