Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce and alleviate human suffering in Ethiopia; and in particular, in the Tigray region.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
We are deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia. The conflict is causing appalling suffering to the civilian population, with over 400,000 people in Tigray now living in famine-like conditions and over 25 million in need of urgent humanitarian assistance across the country. The humanitarian response in Tigray is now at standstill owing to the de facto blockade of the region imposed by the Government of Ethiopia since July 2021 and also due to recent military action by Tigrayan Defence Forces along the Tigray-Afar border.
We are working with our international partners and humanitarian agencies so that in the event that access is granted or when there is an easing of the blockade relief can be delivered to Tigray as quickly as possible. UK funding to the crisis in the north has included support to help strengthen humanitarian logistics, to improve the security of the response and to augment civil-military coordination. All parties to the conflict in the north must agree a ceasefire and allow aid to reach people in need.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy to seek to impose sanctions on armed groups or others who are identified as having committed or participated in crimes against humanity, including the targeted destruction of cultural property and heritage sites.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Syria (United Nations Sanctions) (Cultural Property) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 impose trade sanctions for the purpose of giving effect to the United Kingdom's obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199 (2015) ('UNSCR 2199'). UNSCR 2199 includes an obligation to take steps to prevent the trade in Syrian cultural property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific and religious importance illegally removed from Syria since 15 March 2011, thereby allowing for their eventual safe return to the Syrian people.
The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 impose trade prohibitions relating to illegally removed cultural property.
The UK's Global Human Rights sanctions regime gives the UK a powerful tool to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses, by imposing targeted asset freezes and travel bans. The rights included are: an individual's right to life; right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and right to be free from slavery, not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour. Since establishing the Global Human Rights sanctions regime in July 2020, we have imposed sanctions on 81 individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Pakistan, Myanmar, North Korea, Belarus, The Gambia, Ukraine and China.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their position on Dayton Accords (1) revisions, and (2) international actions, including negotiations with the Bosnian Serbs, in order to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina's central government.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The importance of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which brought an end to the 1990s conflicts, cannot be overstated. However, it was worded to enable local actors to make changes in the future. As Lord Ashdown said, "Dayton is the floor, not the ceiling". The United Kingdom remains committed to BiH's security, democracy and prosperity. The international community will offer support, but it is essential that the authorities in BiH themselves make reforms based on broad consensus and for the greater good of all citizens.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take, if any, to progress the candidacy of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards full European Union membership in 2022.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Decisions on EU enlargement are for EU Member States to make. We will continue to support all countries of the Western Balkans in their sovereign choice to pursue Euro-Atlantic integration.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EU to seek an increase in the size of EUFOR's current mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to achieve enough soldiers to deter secessionist forces in that country.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
In November, the UK worked with partners in the United Nations Security Council to secure the EUFOR stabilisation force's mandate for a further 12 months. Although the UK no longer participates in EUFOR following our withdrawal from the European Union, we liaise closely with Commander EUFOR and his team. We also support the NATO HQ in Sarajevo including though the secondment of UK staff officers, who are building the capacity of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces. At the NATO Foreign Minister's Meeting in Riga, the Foreign Secretary called on Allies to enhance NATO's engagement on BiH.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to maintain peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region; and what plans they have to work with Council of Europe member states as part of their efforts.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK takes seriously talk of secession and other threats to undo the progress of the last twenty-six years in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We have called on those responsible to cease this destabilising and divisive rhetoric. As a UN Security Council and Peace Implementation Council Steering Board member, the UK is committed to upholding the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH. The recent appointment of Sir Stuart Peach as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans is a clear indication of our commitment. The UK works closely with our partners to support BiH's territorial integrity and to maintain the peace stabilisation force (EUFOR) and the Office of the High Representative in BiH. We work closely with various multinational bodies such as the CoE, NATO, OSCE and UN. Ultimately, the authorities in BiH themselves must make necessary reforms for the good of all citizens, and we call on them to meet their obligations to those who elected them. Discussions of how to support stability in BiH took place at the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riga, which the Foreign Secretary attended, and at Lancaster House on 13 December, when the Foreign Secretary hosted Western Balkans Foreign Ministers.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the international community to invite Bosnia and Herzegovina's adjacent states to join NATO interventions, particularly (1) Croatia, and (2) Slovenia.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK remains committed to ensuring peace and upholding international law in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Slovenia is a member of EUFOR, has personnel at NATO HQ in Sarajevo, and contributes to NATO's KFOR mission in Kosovo. Croatia also has military personnel in KFOR. In recent weeks, there have been a range of productive discussions on the Western Balkans in multilateral fora, including at the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riga, which the Foreign Secretary attended.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the competition to identify partnerships between UK and French places launched by the British Embassy in Paris in 2019, what plans they have to encourage such partnerships between places in the UK and places in the other member states of the Council of Europe.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK places great value on the role of the Council of Europe (CoE) in advancing work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. International partnerships provide a significant contribution towards this objective and the UK Government welcomes such activity. Examples of partnerships between the UK and France and Italy were shared in answers to PQs HL479 and HL430. There are plans to work with local authorities to promote business in Germany. In Poland, we are seeking to work with cities, regional and local authorities on a number of economic issues, including trade and investment and climate change. Additionally, the British Embassy in Dublin's "Joining the Dots" programme, launched in November 2018, promotes economic links between regions of the UK and the South West and West of Ireland.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what results have so far been achieved through the seven partnerships between UK and French places launched by the British Embassy in Paris in 2019.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The "France-United Kingdom: for strengthened cooperation between our local authorities" competition launched in 2019, reflecting the UK's support for local cooperation with France. The relationship between our two countries goes far beyond London and Paris, spanning a wide range of issues from trade to science and culture. That is why, following the first UK France Mayors Summit in 2019, the British Embassy in Paris made available £22,000 to fund three innovative and impactful projects (four others were funded by the French government).
The UK fund supported:
· A workshop between Greater Manchester and Montpellier. A delegation from Greater Manchester local authority visited and met Montpellier's local elected officials to combine their international expertise on health innovation, particularly for an ageing community. The visit led to further exchanges between the municipal teams.
· A partnership between Glasgow and Marseille. The project was led by Theatrum Mundi, a London-based professional network of urbanists and artists. The project aimed to build links between Glasgow and Marseille around shared challenges in the way culture is supported by urban planning. The project led to the publication of a report collecting their findings following a two-week research project in both cities.
· A partnership between Kent County Council and Pas de Calais department. This project launched a new interregional committee led by the two local authorities to support resilience and prosperity in the areas surrounding Calais and Dover. It was the first major regional cross-border cooperation event. The project led to the creation of a this new platform to discuss shared issues, challenges and areas of further cooperation.
Asked by: Earl of Dundee (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of international partnerships between different cities and regions towards (1) regional stability, and (2) local democracy, within regions and communities of Council of Europe member states.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK places great value on the role of the Council of Europe (CoE) in advancing work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. International partnerships provide a significant contribution towards regional stability and local democracy and the UK Government welcomes such activity between communities. For example, since 2018, we have worked with local authorities to build partnerships between the UK and Italy focussed on sharing best practice on integration and supporting newly arrived migrants. In March 2019, the UK and French Governments brought together elected Leaders and Mayors from cities, towns and regions across our countries at the inaugural UK-France Mayors' summit in London. This initiative strengthened existing partnerships between towns and cities in France and the UK, and provided a platform for local leaders to share solutions to modern day challenges.