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47765

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2014
	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
	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 use of children in armed conflict in the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; which parties in those countries they consider to be using child soldiers; and what action they are taking to co-ordinate international action to secure the demobilisation of child soldiers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text The British Government recognises that parties to conflict who commit grave violations against children, including recruitment and use, are named in the annexes of the annual reports of the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict. This applies to the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of the five countries in question, the Governments of Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently listed for the recruitment and use of children. The latter two have signed action plans with the UN to end this practice. There are also non-state armed groups listed for recruitment and use of children in all the countries in question, except South Sudan. The UK actively participates in the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict to hold perpetrators to account as well as working with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and non-governmental organisations to urge those Governments who have not already done so, to enter into time-bound action plans with the UN. The Minister for Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), is leading a campaign to raise awareness and help prevent the recruitment of child soldiers and children from becoming victims of sexual violence. He continues to raise the issue with a number of counterparts in countries where there are reports of children being recruited into armed groups and forces, including in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

733223

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported killing, destruction of homes and the seizure of land by Fulani militias in Northern Nigeria; who they believe to be the principal victims of those attacks; and how many people they believe to be affected.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​We are deeply concerned by recurrent clashes involving pastoralists and local farmers over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water in Nigeria. These conflicts, which are exacerbated by climate change and population growth, cause immense suffering to both the pastoralist and farming communities in Central and Northern Nigeria. Due to the complex nature of the causes of these clashes which often take place in rural areas it is difficult to give accurate data on the number of people affected.</p><p>Since 2011 through the Department for International Development's £39 million Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), the UK has supported a range of initiatives and economic projects designed to reduce such conflict and build bridges between communities across Nigeria, including in the Middle Belt. The NSRP is due to finish in September and will be reviewed.</p><p>We regularly stress the importance of protecting human rights and reducing conflict to the Nigerian Government at the highest levels and we welcome President Buhari's commitment to prioritise ending these attacks. We continue to call on all parties to find a peaceful solution to the complex underlying causes of these incidents and will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, NGOs and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all the people of Nigeria.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 13:09:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

747964

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the claims included in a press release issued by Amnesty International on 4 July concerning (1) forcible displacement in the Equatorial region of South Sudan, (2) war crimes against civilians, (3) abduction and gang-rape, and (4) food shortages and starvation resulting from conflict.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL418
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <p>​We are deeply concerned about the violence, and forced relocation of populations along ethnic lines in South Sudan, along with the blocking of humanitarian access. We take very seriously the UN reports which suggest that civilian populations have been deliberately targeted on the basis of their ethnic identity.</p><p>We are working through the UN, EU, and with regional partners to make clear our concerns about the insecurity, and to try to prevent an increase in violence. The UK Government urges all parties to show restraint, to end the fighting, and to return to an inclusive political process.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 13/07/2017 15:24:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1171773

	registered interest
	date	20/01/2020
	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
	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 dozens of Syrian Islamist mercenaries loyal to Turkey have recently travelled to Libya and Algeria, and that some have then successfully entered Europe.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL535
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>​We are aware of reports of foreign combatants travelling from Syria to engage in armed conflict in Libya. We are not able to confirm that any of these fighters have travelled to Algeria or Europe.</p><p>The UK continues to press all the parties in Libya to support the current ceasefire and engage in the UN-led political process, in line with the conclusions of the Berlin conference on Libya on 19 January.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 14:00:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

732077

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made in enabling the safe return of Yazidis and Christians to their villages and homes in Iraq's Nineveh Plains and providing for their future security.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL130
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2017 answer text <p>​The UK engages with the Government of Iraq at all levels on ensuring the safe return of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) including minorities. We are working with the Government of Iraq and local authorities to improve the situation on the ground so that it is safe for people to return. That includes clearing Daesh from all remaining territory and addressing the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The UK is supporting the UN Development Programme and the UN Mine Action Service, who facilitate stabilisation projects in the Ninevah Plains and other affected regions in Iraq.</p><p>The UK is providing over £15 million towards UN stabilisation efforts for areas liberated from Daesh, including for minority communities. This contributes to securing liberated areas and supporting the renovation of water facilities, power networks, clinics and schools. Over one million people have already returned to their homes across Iraq. Through the UK's Conflict, Security and Stability Fund we are supporting community cohesion, and encouraging reconciliation. We are also working with the Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Government, UN and the international community to support the rights of all minorities and to ensure our aid reaches those in greatest need.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/07/2017 16:32:05 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

747966

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of North Korea's claim to have tested a long-range intercontinental missile.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL420
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>​North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 4 July is a clear violation of numerous Security Council resolutions. It is yet another reminder of the grave danger that North Korea poses. As a consequence on 5 July, the North Korean Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The UN Security Council met to condemn the test. We will work with partners on further measures to address the threat to international peace and security posed by North Korea's destabilising and provocative conduct.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 18/07/2017 17:00:02 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

746641

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about the transfer of 50 Syrian Christian churches, monasteries and cemeteries in Mardin province to the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs; and when they last discussed that government's obligations under Article 18 of the 1948 Universal declaration of Human Rights which sets out the obligations of states to protect freedom of religion and belief.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL272
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2017 answer text <p>​Legal changes to local government structures in Mardin, where many important Assyrian religious sites are found, resulted in 2012 in the transfer of the title deeds to some religious sites from local bodies to central government. They were eventually transferred to the Government's Directorate for Religious Affairs. Assyrian organisations are making legal appeals against these decisions. The British Embassy in Ankara regularly raises human rights issues with the Turkish authorities and will be closely following this legal process. We strongly support religious freedom in Turkey and have supported civil society organisations working in this area.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 12/07/2017 13:50:35 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

748827

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of the People's Republic of China to ensure that those pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong who are currently on trial or facing disqualification from taking their seats in the Legislative Council receive a fair and just hearing, and that the rule of law is upheld.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2017 answer text <p>​In November 2016 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office expressed concern at the National People's Congress Standing Committee's decision to express its interpretation of the Basic Law before conclusion of related legal proceedings in Hong Kong. The cases referred to are a matter for the Hong Kong Courts. We believe that the rule of its law remains robust overall thanks in part to its world class independent judiciary.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/07/2017 16:09:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

732722

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2017
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how they have responded to proposals that North Korea be invited to co-host skiing events at North Korea’s Masikryong ski resort during next year’s Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea; and what assessment they have made of reports that the ski resort was constructed with, and is serviced by, forced labour.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​As my noble friend, the Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns, confirmed in her reply to written question HL5120, the British Government is deeply concerned by reports of forced child labour at the Masikryong ski resort. The UK has been clear that forced labour is a form of modern day slavery and must be brought to an end. Any decision on offering to co-host events at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics would be a matter for the government of the Republic of Korea to consider. However, an application to co-host Olympic events with another state would require the approval of the International Olympic Committee.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:26:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

46394

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 report Marching to Genocide in Burma; and what, if any, action they intend to take in response.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2014 answer text <p>We share many of the concerns that United to End Genocide raise in their recent report on the plight of the Rohingya. We continue to press the Burmese government to find a long term solution to bring peace and reconciliation to the communities in Rakhine State. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), summoned the Burmese Ambassador on 7 April and called on the Burmese government urgently to restore humanitarian access to all communities in need, and to ensure the security of humanitarian aid workers and all communities in Rakhine State. Mr Swire raised our wider concerns about the situation in Rakhine State with senior Burmese Ministers during his visit in January. I personally discussed the situation with Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, Dr Kan Zaw, during his visit to the UK in March.</p><p>We remain in close contact with Médecins Sans Frontières and have made clear to the Burmese government their responsibility to ensure services are adequately delivered. We continue to maintain that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with immediately through a clear and transparent investigative and prosecutorial process that meets international standards.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 14/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool