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1228222

registered interest
date	29/07/2020
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 discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about the prosecution of those responsible for (1) killings of, and (2) violent attacks against, Christians in Nigeria; how many Fulani people have been prosecuted for any such attacks; and what steps they are taking, through UK aid programmes, to assist with (a) upholding the rule of law, (b) the protection of minorities, and (c) supporting affected communities in Nigeria.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7499
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government condemns all killings and incidents of violence against innocent Nigerian civilians, including terrorist attacks in North East Nigeria and incidents of intercommunal violence in the Middle-Belt. These attacks have had devastating effects on communities of all faiths, including Christian communities. We continue to encourage the Government of Nigeria to take action to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice. Prosecutions of those responsible, who come from a range of ethnic and religious backgrounds, is primarily a matter for the Nigerian State.</p><p>In the North East of Nigeria, the UK is supporting efforts to tackle the terrorist threat and providing a comprehensive package of security, stabilisation and humanitarian assistance to support communities affected by the conflict. In the Middle Belt, the British High Commissioner and her team are increasing their diplomatic engagement with states affected by intercommunal violence. The UK Government 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>The Prime Minister discussed insecurity in Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK Africa Investment Summit in January. More recently, the Minister for Africa discussed intercommunal violence in Nigeria with President Buhari's Chief of Staff, on 29 June. We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities, at the highest levels, the importance of protecting civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, human rights and upholding the rule of law.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:41:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228252

registered interest
date	29/07/2020
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	South Sudan: Press Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of (1) the freedom of the press in South Sudan, and (2) the case of Peter Biar Ajak.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
uin	HL7551
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>Freedom of expression has an essential role to play in the establishment of peace and stability in South Sudan. We are deeply concerned at any closing of political space and restrictions on freedom of expression in the country, both for activists and for local and international journalists. This is incompatible with the Government of South Sudan's expressed desire to see a successful resolution to the nation's crises. We continue to lobby the Government of South Sudan to ensure that journalists, human rights activists and civil society are free to operate without fear of retribution. Through our Media Freedom Campaign we are providing support to journalists inside the country including continued funding for local media associations</p><p>The UK lobbied the Government of South Sudan on political detainees including during Peter Biar's imprisonment in 2018-19. This included calling for due process, access to legal representation and for his release from detention as part of the 2018 peace agreement. We welcomed his eventual release alongside other prisoners in January and are aware of his recent arrival in the US. Our officials remain in contact with him.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:40:25 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

1228254

registered interest
date	29/07/2020
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	South Sudan: Violence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of intercommunal violence in South Sudan.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
uin	HL7553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>There has been a recent rise in severe violence in several states in South Sudan resulting in killings, displacement and disruption to livelihoods and humanitarian access. Severe violence is tipping South Sudan into further humanitarian crisis with 6.5 million people already facing acute food insecurity, many in areas recently devastated by flooding and facing the possibility of new locust swarms. In Jonglei alone, 157,000 people have been displaced since February this year and an estimated 87,000 people are in need of urgent assistance. The violence in Jonglei and other parts of South Sudan underlines that, despite the 2018 peace agreement and a reduction in overall political conflict, many South Sudanese continue to live with terrible violence. South Sudan's best chance of a more stable and prosperous future remains the full implementation of the peace agreement.</p><p>The creation of a peace committee by Presidential decree is a welcome step, but it and the Government of South Sudan need to act urgently to stop violence, facilitate humanitarian access and ensure ceasefire monitors are enabled to conduct accurate and timely investigations. Our Ambassador and other officials continue to meet the most senior representatives of the Government of South Sudan to urge action. The UK will continue to promote efforts to halt the violence, address the root causes of conflict and build lasting peace.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 15:39:15 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

1228256

registered interest
date	29/07/2020
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	Rania Elias and Suhail Khoury
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 detention of Rania Elias and Suhail Khoury; and what plans they have to raise those detentions with international partners.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
uin	HL7555
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>Our Consul General in Jerusalem has publicly expressed his concern. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and either charge or release detainees. We also continue to support the Palestinian cultural presence and identity in East Jerusalem, as well as Palestinian physical presence there.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:46:14 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

1228296

registered interest
date	29/07/2020
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	Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made with the Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review; with whom they have consulted about that Review; and when they estimate that Review to be completed.
tabling member printed	Lord Truscott
uin	HL7566
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The Government paused its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy in April due to the pressing need to focus on COVID-19. We have formally recommenced the Review, building on the work done since the Review was first launched in February.</p><p>Our aim continues to be for an ambitious and bold Integrated Review that is guided by the UK's foreign policy and national security objectives.</p><p>We will be engaging with Parliament, the Devolved Administrations, external experts and wider stakeholders with an interest in our nation's security and prosperity. This includes our allies and partners, building on our ongoing dialogue on COVID-19 response and recovery.</p><p>The Government will conduct targeted engagement that will bring crucial external voices and expertise to bear in defining our ambition for the UK's role in the world and setting the country on the best possible trajectory for the future.</p><p>The Integrated Review will remain closely aligned with the Comprehensive Spending Review, to ensure that departments are equipped with the resources they need to enact the Integrated Review's conclusions. The Comprehensive Spending Review will be published in the autumn.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:51:01 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3682 label Biography information for Lord Truscott

1228093

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	Hagia Sophia
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 decision to convert the Hagia Sofia into a mosque, and (2) the impact of that decision on marginalised religious minorities in Turkey and the Middle East; and what steps they are planning to take to ensure that the rights of religious minorities in the region are safeguarded.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL7421
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>While we note the concern that President Erdoğan's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque has caused internationally, the Government regards this as a sovereign matter for Turkey. However, we would expect that Hagia Sophia - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site - remains accessible to all, as testament to its global cultural and religious significance and Turkey's rich and diverse historical and cultural legacy, and that its precious artefacts are preserved. We therefore welcome the public statements by Turkish leaders that this historic building will continue to be accessible to people of all faiths and nationalities, which would be consistent with the Turkish constitution's provisions for freedom of conscience and religion for all. We strongly support all minority groups in Turkey and encourage the Turkish authorities to safeguard their welfare and respect their human rights.</p><p>The Government is firmly committed to protecting religious minorities in the Middle East region and providing assistance on the basis of need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. We believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate for respect among different religious and racial groups, is to encourage states to uphold their human rights obligations. The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 05/08/2020 14:41:50 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1228106

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	Colombia: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of International Development, they plan to fund projects to help combat sexual violence in Colombia on a longer-term basis than the annual funding cycle has permitted to date.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7446
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. More broadly, the UK has led efforts to strengthen action on conflict-related sexual violence through UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mandates and Resolutions. In April 2019, we advocated and voted for UN Security Council Resolution 2467 on sexual violence in conflict. This specified the importance of a survivor-centric approach in response to conflict-related sexual violence, which is the approach that underpins our programme work in Colombia. The UK remains committed to providing support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict, and, as part of the FCO-DFID merger discussions, we will take the opportunity to review, refresh, and build on all existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL7447 question first answered 05/08/2020 14:33:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1228107

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	Colombia: Development Aid
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include greater involvement of survivors of sexual violence in the programme design of funded projects in Colombia.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. More broadly, the UK has led efforts to strengthen action on conflict-related sexual violence through UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mandates and Resolutions. In April 2019, we advocated and voted for UN Security Council Resolution 2467 on sexual violence in conflict. This specified the importance of a survivor-centric approach in response to conflict-related sexual violence, which is the approach that underpins our programme work in Colombia. The UK remains committed to providing support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict, and, as part of the FCO-DFID merger discussions, we will take the opportunity to review, refresh, and build on all existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL7446 question first answered 05/08/2020 14:33:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1228108

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	UN Interim Force in Lebanon
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of efforts by Hezbollah and the government of Lebanon to impede the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon from carrying out its mandate; and what steps they have taken to raise this at the UN Security Council.
tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
uin	HL7448
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The UK remains concerned by Hizballah's activities within Lebanon which are in clear breach of UN Security Council Resolutions 1509 and 1701. We regularly raise our concerns at the UN Security Council, and call on all parties to abide by the provisions of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:46:45 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

1228109

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: Lebanon
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of increased tensions along the Israel–Lebanon border and the readiness of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to mediate effectively between the governments of Israel and Lebanon as well as to diffuse any increase in hostilities.
tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
uin	HL7449
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports of increased tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. The UK condemns all violations of UN Security Council Resolutions 1509 and 1701, and call for all sides to adhere to the relevant resolutions. We welcome United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's efforts to mediate between parties and decrease tensions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 06/08/2020 11:47:08 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech