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1172736

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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 representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the (1) killing of Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram, and (2) bringing to justice those responsible for his death.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL667
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>The UK is appalled by the reported execution of Reverend Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram. The Minister for Africa tweeted his condolences on 21 January and echoed President Buhari's condemnation of this senseless killing. While we have not made representations to the Government of Nigeria about this specific incident, we regularly engage the Government on tackling the terrorist threat in North East Nigeria. Most recently, the Prime Minister raised his concerns about increasing levels of violence in North East Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK-Africa Investment Summit on 20 January. To help communities in the North East, the UK is providing £300 million of humanitarian support over 5 years (2018 -2022).</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:59:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1175187

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Mining
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of children working in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; what measures they are taking to assess the dangers to children working in such mines; and what action they plan to take to help eliminate child labour and promote safe working conditions in those mines.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL664
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>The UK is concerned about reports of modern slavery and child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and UK officials have raised these concerns with the government. The UK has implemented a number of programmes to tackle modern slavery in DRC, including a programme with the Carter Centre to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector, working with civil society and mining companies. The UK is committed to ending modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking worldwide by 2030, including the eradication of child labour, as unanimously adopted in the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.</p><p>Under the Modern Slavery Act, all large businesses in the UK with a turnover of £36m or more are required to publish an annual transparency statement detailing the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery from occurring in their business and supply chains. As an active member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), we encourage states and those working in the industry to implement the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High Risk Areas. In 2018/19 we funded the OECD to run dissemination and capacity-building projects to support implementation of the guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL665 HL666 question first answered 05/02/2020 14:08:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1175188

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Mining
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the families of children working in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are seeking compensation for forced labour, unjust enrichment, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wages promised but not paid, and the loss of assets, educational and business opportunities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL665
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>The UK is concerned about reports of modern slavery and child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and UK officials have raised these concerns with the government. The UK has implemented a number of programmes to tackle modern slavery in DRC, including a programme with the Carter Centre to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector, working with civil society and mining companies. The UK is committed to ending modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking worldwide by 2030, including the eradication of child labour, as unanimously adopted in the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.</p><p>Under the Modern Slavery Act, all large businesses in the UK with a turnover of £36m or more are required to publish an annual transparency statement detailing the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery from occurring in their business and supply chains. As an active member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), we encourage states and those working in the industry to implement the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High Risk Areas. In 2018/19 we funded the OECD to run dissemination and capacity-building projects to support implementation of the guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL664 HL666 question first answered 05/02/2020 14:08:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1175189

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Mining
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to impose sanctions and use UK aid to help combat child labour in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and whether they plan to require UK companies sourcing cobalt to establish an independent verification system that would ensure that their supply chains are free from exploitation, unsafe working conditions, slavery and child labour.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL666
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>The UK is concerned about reports of modern slavery and child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and UK officials have raised these concerns with the government. The UK has implemented a number of programmes to tackle modern slavery in DRC, including a programme with the Carter Centre to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector, working with civil society and mining companies. The UK is committed to ending modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking worldwide by 2030, including the eradication of child labour, as unanimously adopted in the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.</p><p>Under the Modern Slavery Act, all large businesses in the UK with a turnover of £36m or more are required to publish an annual transparency statement detailing the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery from occurring in their business and supply chains. As an active member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), we encourage states and those working in the industry to implement the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High Risk Areas. In 2018/19 we funded the OECD to run dissemination and capacity-building projects to support implementation of the guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL664 HL665 question first answered 05/02/2020 14:08:12 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1175225

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the killing of 321 human rights defenders in 2018; and what plans they have to undertake a strategic review of how human rights defenders can be given more (1) support, and (2) protection.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL668
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2020 answer text <p>The British Government is appalled by the reported killing of 321 human rights defenders (HRDs) in 2018. On Human Rights Day in December 2018, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration on HRDs, I made a commitment to ensure HRDs and others are fully aware of the support the UK offers to human rights defenders.</p><p>The UK published the document 'UK Support for Human Rights Defenders' in July 2019, making it available in all six UN languages to ensure its widest reach. It sets out our ongoing dedication to supporting and protecting human rights defenders worldwide. Our work to support human rights defenders across our global diplomatic network includes attending trials, making public statements, raising cases privately with the host government, and lobbying for safe and open space within which civil society and human rights defenders can operate freely. Our diplomatic network will always take into account the local context and regularly engage with NGO representatives and human rights defenders to discuss the challenges human rights defenders face and how the UK can help overcome them. The UK will continue to strongly support the rights of human rights defenders worldwide to enable them carry out their work safely and without fear, and regularly assesses how we can enhance our ability to make a positive different. The FCO's work to support human rights defenders is kept under review by consulting embassies and high commissions annually.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/02/2020 16:11:06 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

1175130

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
hansard heading	Sudan: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the burning down of three churches in Bout, in Sudan’s Blue Nile State; and what representations they have made to the government of Sudan about upholding and safeguarding the rights of minorities to follow their chosen beliefs, as enshrined in Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL534
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2020 answer text <p>Despite some signs of progress under the civilian-led government in Sudan, including institutions observing Christian holidays and allowing Christians to attend church services on Sundays, we remain concerned by ongoing infringements of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Sudan. The burning down of three churches in Sudan’s Blue Nile State is disturbing and the Sudanese authorities must investigate. That these churches were attacked having been rebuilt by members of the local community after previous arson attacks is tragic, and those who seek to sow division must not succeed. Promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief as a means of enhancing tolerance and inclusion remains a key part of our ongoing engagement with Sudan. I personally raised this case, along with wider human rights issues, with the Sudanese ambassador and I urge the Sudanese authorities to prevent such attacks and investigate.</p><p>Our Embassy in Khartoum’s human rights programming aims to address bureaucratic obstacles and legal restrictions that disproportionately affect religious minorities, which has included the denial of permits for Church buildings and cases of church demolition. Sudan is a priority country in the UK’s Annual Human Rights Report and we will continue to urge respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities to follow their chosen beliefs, in our engagement with the Sudanese authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/02/2020 14:14:48 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1171168

registered interest
date	15/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Hevrin Khalaf
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have take to establish the identity of, and to bring to justice, the killers of Hevrin Khalaf in North East Syria; and what assessment they have made of the allegations in the BBC documentary Hevrin Khalaf: Death of a peacemaker, broadcast on 13 January, that her execution was carried out by Turkish-backed jihadis.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL439
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>We have condemned the reported killing on 12 October 2019 of Hevrin Khalaf, the Secretary General of the Future Syria Party, by Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups. We have made clear to Turkey the need for an investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. The UK strongly supports efforts to pursue accountability for the most serious crimes committed in Syria, including the UN Commission of Inquiry and the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 27/01/2020 15:15:16 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1170779

registered interest
date	14/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Pakistan: 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 (1) reports that Jagjit Kaye was kidnapped and forced to convert from Sikhism to Islam, and (2) the Pakistan Centre for Social Justice's findings that there have been 160 cases of forced conversion since 2013 in Pakistan; and what representations they intend to make to the government of Pakistan about such conversions.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL373
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned about ongoing reports of forced marriage and forced conversion of Hindu and Christian women and girls. We are aware of the reported forced conversion and forced marriage of Jagjit Kaur in August 2019. The Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns about the protection of minority communities, including religious minorities, with the Pakistani Government at a senior level.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary discussed the treatment of minority religious communities with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Qureshi during his visit to the UK in June 2019. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan’s Human Rights Minister in November 2019.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/01/2020 12:52:40 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1170780

registered interest
date	14/01/2020
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
hansard heading	India: Nationality
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 of India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 on the (1) persecution, and (2) displacement, of the six minority religious groups that were not given the eligibility to apply for citizenship in India under that Act.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2020 answer text <p>The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India are following reports on the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens, as well as the Government of India’s response. We raise our concerns with the Government of India where appropriate. I discussed the Government of India’s intent with the CAA, and public response to the legislation, with India’s Minister of State for External Affairs on 19 December 2019. The British High Commissioner in New Delhi also raised this issue with the Indian Government on 6 January.</p><p>India has a proud history of inclusive government and religious tolerance. Post-election, Prime Minister Modi promised to continue this under the guiding principles of “together with all, development for all, trust of all”. We trust the Government of India will provide reassurances to its citizens who are expressing concern about the impact this legislation may have. We will continue to monitor the situation.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL375 question first answered 22/01/2020 12:53:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool