Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the sources of weapons used by perpetrators of recent violence in Plateau State, Nigeria.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The proliferation of weapons is exacerbating security challenges across Nigeria, although exact sources of weapons used in the recent violence in Plateau state remain uncertain. We are supporting Nigeria to address the proliferation of weapons by providing x-ray image interpretation training to the Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to assist them with detecting weapons and weapon parts when screening baggage, fast parcels, and air freight. Furthermore, we are supporting Nigeria to strengthen its borders, including through the Collaboration Against Trafficking and Smuggling (CATS) programme. This programme operates along the Nigerian-Niger border and aims to build the capability of the border agencies to tackle cross-border human trafficking and smuggling.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province in Nigeria's northern states, and perpetrators of violence in Nigeria's central states.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
It is likely that some criminal networks engage in illicit trade, including trading of weapons, with terrorist groups in Nigeria, including in its northern states. This is distinct from intercommunal violence, which occurs particularly in Nigeria's Middle Belt and is driven by lack of economic opportunities, disruption to traditional ways of life created by environmental degradation and historical grievances. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we are working with Nigeria to respond to shared threats and are supporting Nigeria to tackle insecurity and promote human rights.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that rates of kidnappings for ransom have increased in central Nigeria.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The UK Government condemns the abduction and captivity of all persons for ransom. We are aware of a rise in kidnappings in central Nigeria. It is difficult to provide a definitive figure because of differing recording practices across agencies and because not all kidnaps are reported to the Nigerian authorities. At the latest UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) dialogue in February, we strengthened our commitment to providing mentoring and capacity-building support to the agencies with a mandate to tackle the threat of kidnap. This will help reduce harm to victims and hold those responsible to account.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Foreign Representatives Bill in Kyrgyzstan, with regards to (1) civic activism, and (2) human rights obligations, in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The FCDO is following the progress of the Foreign Representatives Bill closely. We share the concerns previously raised by the United Nations that it could contravene Kyrgyzstan's international obligations in relation to rights and freedoms. We encourage Kyrgyzstan to protect these fundamental rights, particularly in the area of freedom of expression and assembly, which is essential to the long-term health of democracy.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Kyrgyzstan regarding the protection of civic activism in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Foreign Secretary has raised his concerns over the Foreign Agents bill directly with the Kyrgyz government. His Majesty's Ambassador in Bishkek continues to raise these concerns with the government of Kyrgyzstan. We encourage Kyrgyzstan to protect fundamental rights, particularly in the area of freedom of expression and assembly, which is essential to the long-term health of democracy.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India to cease the demolition of properties owned by Muslims suspected of involvement in communal violence in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Any reports of discrimination against religious minorities are a matter for the Indian police and legal system. The British High Commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the situation in India.
We engage India on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. Where we have any issues, we raise them directly with the Government of India, including at Ministerial level.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of Sudanese people who have fled to (1) Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, and (2) Abyei, since violence erupted in Khartoum and Darfur in April 2023.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The UN estimates almost 9 million people are currently internally displaced in Sudan, making it the largest displacement crisis in the world. As of 23 January, 127,119 people have fled to Blue Nile and 125,373 to South Kordofan since 15 April 2023. Furthermore, as of 31 January, 15,750 people have fled from Sudan into Abyei since the start of the Sudan conflict. The UK is providing assistance those in need through our humanitarian aid package of £38 million for 2023-2024. In the next financial year 2024-2025, the UK bilateral ODA to Sudan will double to £89 million.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support displaced people and host communities in (1) Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan in Sudan, and (2) Abyei.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The UN estimates almost 9 million people are currently internally displaced in Sudan, making it the largest displacement crisis in the world. As of 23 January, 127,119 people have fled to Blue Nile and 125,373 to South Kordofan since 15 April 2023. Furthermore, as of 31 January, 15,750 people have fled from Sudan into Abyei since the start of the Sudan conflict. The UK is providing assistance those in need through our humanitarian aid package of £38 million for 2023-2024. In the next financial year 2024-2025, the UK bilateral ODA to Sudan will double to £89 million.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the government of Belarus' recent amendments to their laws on the activities of religious organisations.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are aware of recent repressive amendments to Belarus' laws on the activities of religious organisations. These changes have served to tighten controls on freedom of religion or belief. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and we monitor the situation for religious and non-religious communities globally. The British Embassy in Minsk continues to show its support for and where possible engages with, religious groups in Belarus. Belarus remains a human rights priority country for the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria following the series of massacres over the Christmas period in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
Rising insecurity in Nigeria has affected all faith and non-faith communities, including Christians. The UK Government regularly raises the impact of insecurity on communities, and the need to bring perpetrators to justice, with the Nigerian Government. The British High Commissioner has raised the recent attacks in Plateau with the Nigerian National Security Adviser. The High Commissioner and his team continue to work closely with the respective authorities to raise and address these issues through multiple forums.