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1662161

registered interest
date	19/09/2023
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	Hong Kong: Press Freedom
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 report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong, Inquiry into Media Freedom in Hong Kong: The Case of Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily, published in April 2023; and what steps they are taking to respond to its recommendations.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10296
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>We welcome the All-Party Parliamentary Group's (APPG) report of 24 April on Media Freedom in Hong Kong. Under the National Security Law, a once free and vibrant press in Hong Kong has been severely diminished. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in the latest Six-monthly Report to Parliament, published on 19 September, Jimmy Lai and others are being deliberately targeted under the guise of national security to silence criticism. The Foreign Secretary has made clear our views on the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy, rights and freedoms and raised Mr Lai's case at the UN Human Rights Council and with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, most recently on 31 August. We were pleased to host a side event on media freedom in Hong Kong at the UN Human Rights Council on 27 September to consider these issues further.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 15:03:55 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1662162

registered interest
date	19/09/2023
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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Cobalt
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to their counterparts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in relation to the issues of fair pricing and child labour in the cobalt mining industry; and what practical assistance they have provided to that country to address these issues.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10297
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>Illicit mining in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the use of child labour remains a problem. We regularly raise the issue of child labour in DRC's mining sector both with the DRC government and through multilateral fora such as the Human Rights Council. The UK supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) which aims to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector. The UK provided funding to the &quot;Effective Approaches to Ending the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Fragile Contexts&quot;, a multi-stakeholder consortium which develops innovative approaches to ending child labour in DRC. In addition, the Home Office is funding work through the Modern Slavery Innovation Fund with the objective of strengthening partnerships to prevent and remedy forced labour in supply chains from DRC.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 15:05:42 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1662163

registered interest
date	19/09/2023
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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Ethnic Groups
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 situation of the Banyamulenge and Hema minority communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), given the recent attacks against them; what representations they have made to their counterparts in the DRC concerning these communities; and what practical assistance they have provided to support the DRC in assisting these communities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10298
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK condemns all forms of hate speech and violence committed against all individuals and communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We continue to actively lobby the Government of DRC to tackle the drivers of conflict, introduce human rights reforms, combat impunity, and push for the imposition of sanctions through the UN against individuals who have committed serious human rights abuses. We will continue to work with members of the international community to counter hate speech and incitement to violence in DRC through shared messaging, both private and public. We are fully supportive of the work carried out by the UN peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO, and note their vital work in providing protection for those displaced from these communities in Ituri and South Kivu. We contribute financially and militarily to MONUSCO, and as permanent members of the UN Security Council, continue to ensure that the protection of civilians remains central to MONUSCO's mandate.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 15:08:03 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1662164

registered interest
date	19/09/2023
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	North Korea: Refugees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Republic of Korea about reports that an estimated 2,000 North Korean refugees will be forcibly repatriated to North Korea by the People's Republic of China; and whether they intend to take joint action with the Republic of Korea on behalf of these refugees.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10299
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>As the UK and partners regularly make clear, we call on states not to forcibly repatriate refugees to countries where they could face further human rights abuses. At the 17 August UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the UK called on all states to abide by the principle of non-refoulement. The UK continues to engage with allies including the Republic of Korea (ROK) to hold the DPRK to account for its egregious human rights record.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 15:06:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1662165

registered interest
date	19/09/2023
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	North Korea: Refugees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to raise reports that an estimated 2,000 North Korean refugees will be forcibly repatriated to North Korea by the People's Republic of China (1) with the People's Republic of China, and (2) in the United Nations Human Rights Council; and whether they will remind the People's Republic of China of its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10300
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>We are aware of reports of North Korean escapees detained in China. The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. We emphasise directly to the Chinese authorities that they should not be detaining North Korean refugees with the intention of returning them to North Korea. At the 17 August UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK, the UK called on all states to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 15:01:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1661454

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
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	World Food Programme: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of analysis by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) published on 12 September describing “an unprecedented funding crisis” in food assistance; and what steps they plan to take, if any, to respond to the WFP’s summary of the consequences of scaling back of humanitarian assistance at “a time when acute food insecurity has soared to record levels”.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10210
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>We share WFP's alarm at their analysis describing an &quot;unprecedented funding crisis&quot; in food assistance and the extraordinarily difficult decisions that WFP has to take in order to address it, including reducing rations. The UK supports WFP's efforts to diversify its donor base to fill current funding gaps, and the Agency's increased focus on innovative partnerships and solutions - including with the private sector and International Financial Institutions. The UK is continuing to prioritise its support to the humanitarian agencies, including core, unearmarked funding which supports rapid responses, underfunded emergencies and the populations that are most in need.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 11:17:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1661455

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
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	World Food Programme: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of UN World Food Programme's analysis, published on 12 September, that every 1 per cent cut in food assistance could push 400,000 people towards the brink of starvation and that as a consequence of cuts “an additional 24 million people could fall into emergency hunger over the next 12 months”; and what steps it plans to take, if any, in response to this analysis.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10211
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>We share WFP's alarm at their analysis and ask the Agency to prioritise those who are most in need and the most food insecure, basing its decisions on its own internal assessments and internationally-recognised tools like the Integrated Phase Classification. We urge WFP to keep improving its targeting to ensure the most vulnerable segments of the population are reached with adequate support.</p><p>We are supportive of WFP's efforts to expand its donor base beyond traditional donors (including other Governments, International Financial Institutions and the private sector) and urge them to continue investing in efficiencies to ensure scarce resources are used in the most effective manner possible.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 14:09:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1661456

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
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	World Food Programme: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) about (1) its operational requirements for 2023, and (2) the funding shortfall of over 60 per cent the WFP faced this year; what response they have given the WFP’s concerns about the funding shortfall; and what plans they have, if any, to raise this with international partners.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10212
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2023 answer text <p>UK officials recently discussed World Food Programme (WFP) projected operational shortfalls for 2023 and 2024 in Rome. WFP's new Management Plan will be submitted for approval to the Executive Board in November. The Board, including the UK, is asking WFP to &quot;do better with less&quot;, further improving prioritisation and targeting to ensure that the most vulnerable and at risk are not left behind. We are currently discussing the matter with other donors, including WFP's largest government donor - the USA - and other stakeholders like the World Bank. We and our partners wish not only to increase humanitarian funding globally, but also to help reduce humanitarian need in the first place, by strengthening activities through WFP and others that build community resilience to shocks - for example through anticipatory action.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 02/10/2023 15:45:53 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1661457

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Cobalt
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 number of UK companies which (1) purchase cobalt, or (2) are involved in the connected supply chain from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and what steps they have taken to ensure a fair price is paid to workers in the DRC and to support the eradication of child labour in the supply chain.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10213
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2023 answer text <p>We are working with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and international partners to address the governance and human rights issues linked to illicit mining that continues to fund armed group activity. The UK supports initiatives such as the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human rights, which aim to address security related human rights abuses in the mining sector. The UK is committed to addressing risks around conflict minerals through promoting and encouraging compliance with the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains from Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas. The UK is also a founding member of the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM). This initiative aims to increase the proportion of &quot;responsibly sourced minerals&quot; especially in artisanal mining by working across the whole of the supply chain.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 02/10/2023 16:02:28 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1661459

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Cobalt
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 prevalence of child labour in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the cobalt mining industry.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL10215
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/10/2023 answer text <p>We continue to monitor reports of modern slavery within the mining sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially in cobalt mining. The artisanal mining sector is particularly vulnerable to modern slavery and human rights abuses, with regular reports of the worst forms of child labour (WFCL). The UK Government remains committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in line with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. In September 2023, the UK funded the participation of survivors of modern slavery in workshops developing the DRC's Country Roadmap towards achieving Goal 8.7. The UK has supported efforts to end the worst forms of child labour in countries such as the DRC, Ethiopia and Central African Republic through the Partnership Against Child Exploitation (PACE) programme.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/10/2023 10:50:57 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool