Recent events involving members of the Eritrean community in the UK have, on occasions, led to public disorder and arrests. Ahead of a planned and subsequently cancelled event in the London Borough of Harrow in July, FCDO officials and officers from the Metropolitan Police met with staff from the Eritrean embassy to discuss security plans and arrangements. The FCDO plus relevant police forces and councils will engage with the UK Eritrean community and Eritrean embassy ahead of other events.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1211", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sutton Coldfield"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Andrew Mitchell"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-10-16T15:46:24.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eritrea: Politics and Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with the Eritrean embassy in London on recent clashes between Eritrean Government supporters and opponents.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4437", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anne McLaughlin"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anne McLaughlin"} ], "uin" : "199747"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1601174", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1601174/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Freedom of religion or belief, of the media and of travel are important rights. The British Embassy in Asmara regularly raises human rights issues with the Eritrean Government, with the freedom of religion or belief being one of the UK's priorities; the Embassy has consistently called for the release of those arbitrarily incarcerated for their religion. The UK has encouraged the Eritrean Government to implement in full the agreed recommendations of the 2019 UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review, through which we have raised our views, and to cooperate with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Eritrea.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1211", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sutton Coldfield"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Andrew Mitchell"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "157663"} , {"_value" : "157665"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-13T17:50:56.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eritrea: Politics and Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking in Eritrea to help ensure the right to access of information for the people of that country.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4432", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Patrick Grady"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Patrick Grady"} ], "uin" : "157664"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1519435", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1519435/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have no information on the usage of any funds raised at events organised by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice.<\/p>
We would urge anyone with evidence that coercion has been used in pursuit of payment of the Eritrean diaspora tax to report this to the police.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4680", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gillian Keegan"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chichester"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Gillian Keegan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-10-18T15:26:05.637Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eritrea: Politics and Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of festivals organised by representatives of the Eritrean political party People\u2019s Front for Democracy and Justice taking place in Europe; and what assessment he has made of the potential risk that money raised by these festivals could enable (a) Eritrea\u2019s military activities in Ethiopia, (b) human rights abuses in Eritrea and (c) the use of illicit pressure on members of the Eritrean diaspora in pursuit of the payment of diaspora taxation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1583", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Ham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Lyn Brown"} ], "uin" : "59573"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1518531", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1518531/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are aware of the events organised by the Eritrean Government and ruling party in countries across Europe, including the UK. After one such event organised by the Eritrean Embassy in London in September, clashes between attendees and protestors resulted in several arrests. Following this event, the FCDO has encouraged the Eritrean Embassy to communicate with their dedicated police liaison officer to ensure that any future events pass off peacefully.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-10-10T16:32:59.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eritrea: Politics and Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Eritrea about the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) organising concerts and festivals in (1) London, and (2) other European capitals; and what assessment, if any, they have made of those events.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3575", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Goudie"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Goudie"} ], "uin" : "HL2355"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1256370", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1256370/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are concerned about reports of Eritrea's involvement in the current conflict in Tigray in Ethiopia, which has seen rocket attacks on Asmara and elsewhere in Eritrea by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) since mid-November. We are urging Eritrea and all parties to de-escalate, urging unfettered humanitarian access to those in need and protection of civilians and human rights.<\/p>
The Eritrean Government has introduced COVID-19 restrictions across the country, including a ban on travel between the main towns and closure of the hospitality sector, although Eritrea is largely case free other than in the quarantine camps in the border areas.<\/p>
Desert locusts have badly affected the Southern Zone, including Asmara, as spraying is halted due to the conflict in Ethiopia. Eritrea is also experiencing food shortages, which are reported to be particularly severe in more remote locations including Northern and Southern Red Sea regions, that has led to a 25 percent increase in food prices since March.<\/p>
Eritrea is also experiencing significant power outages across the country, with some areas without power for up to 12 hours per day.<\/p>
UK Aid has funded life-saving humanitarian assistance in Eritrea since 2011; £2 million is planned to be disbursed through UNICEF in 2020/21 to provide access to safe hygiene and sanitation services and to help treat malnutrition in under-fives. During 2020 the UK has provided £25 million to support the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Emergency Appeal for the locust outbreak in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-12-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-12-10T14:27:56.663Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eritrea: Politics and Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the domestic situation in Eritrea.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4303", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Kennedy of Cradley"} ], "uin" : "HL10826"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144071", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144071/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We continue to be concerned by reports that indefinite conscription is ongoing in Eritrea. We raise human rights in Eritrea regularly, both directly with the Government, as the former Minister for Africa did with the Eritrean President's senior adviser when she saw him in July, and when our Ambassador in Asmara saw the same advisor in August. <\/ins><\/p> In a statement at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council on 12 July the UK welcomed the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, which we co-sponsored. The UK also urged Eritrea to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and to reform national service, implement the constitution, respect freedom of religion or belief, and release all those in arbitrary detention \u2013 including, but not exclusive to detained parliamentarians; journalists; and those observing banned religions. <\/ins><\/ins><\/p> No additional aid has been allocated as a result of sanctions being lifted. The Department for International Development (DfID) has funded life-saving activity in Eritrea for several years, including providing £3.24m to UNICEF in 2018-19 to help treat malnutrition in under-fives and provide access to safe hygiene and sanitation services. DFID has extended this funding to UNICEF Eritrea until March 2021.<\/ins><\/ins><\/ins><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1144071/answer/previousversion/133916", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T16:29:22.097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-01T10:53:35.343Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eritrea: Politics and Government"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Eritrea about (1) ending indefinite conscription, and (2) parliamentarians who have been detained since 2001; and what additional aid, if any, was allocated to Eritrea as a result of international sanctions being lifted.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"}
], "uin" : "HL17559"}
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It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.<\/del><\/p>