Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of violence committed against women from minority communities in Syria, including Alawite, Christian, Druze, Kurdish, and Turkmen groups, given the UK’s commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, including women, and an improved response to sectarian violence. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues with the Syrian Government during his recent visit to Damascus and offered UK support. Syria remains a focus country in the UK's 5th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, guiding our efforts in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325. UK funding supports Syrian women's rights organisations to promote gender equality, strengthen women's roles in peacebuilding, and increase their participation in political and public life. Thirteen years on from the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, the UK is proud of its leadership on this issue and continues to fund programmes in Syria which document human rights violations and support the trial and convictions of perpetrators of these crimes.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that women in Syria, including those from minority groups, are included in peacebuilding and transitional justice processes, in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, including women, and an improved response to sectarian violence. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues with the Syrian Government during his recent visit to Damascus and offered UK support. Syria remains a focus country in the UK's 5th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, guiding our efforts in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325. UK funding supports Syrian women's rights organisations to promote gender equality, strengthen women's roles in peacebuilding, and increase their participation in political and public life. Thirteen years on from the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, the UK is proud of its leadership on this issue and continues to fund programmes in Syria which document human rights violations and support the trial and convictions of perpetrators of these crimes.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Syria regarding the protection of women from ethnic and religious minority communities; and how these efforts reflect the UK’s obligations under the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, including women, and an improved response to sectarian violence. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues with the Syrian Government during his recent visit to Damascus and offered UK support. Syria remains a focus country in the UK's 5th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, guiding our efforts in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325. UK funding supports Syrian women's rights organisations to promote gender equality, strengthen women's roles in peacebuilding, and increase their participation in political and public life. Thirteen years on from the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, the UK is proud of its leadership on this issue and continues to fund programmes in Syria which document human rights violations and support the trial and convictions of perpetrators of these crimes.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are supporting the documentation and investigation of crimes of sexual and gender-based violence committed against minority women in Syria, and what support they are providing to local or international organisations working with survivors of sexual violence from Syria's minority communities as part of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports documentation and investigation of sexual and gender-based violence against women in Syria through the Integrated Security Fund, funding evidence collection and prosecution efforts. We co-fund Syria-specific best practice guidance and, through the Global Survivors Fund, have provided physiotherapy, psychosocial and financial support to hundreds of Syrian survivors living in Turkey since 2022.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have raised the issue of abuses committed against women from minority communities in Syria with the United National Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict; and if so, what action has followed.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We work closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and have a longstanding partnership with her office. Officials have discussed conflict-related sexual violence around the world including Syria. With UK funding, both UN Action and the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict plan to undertake work in Syria to explore opportunities to improve services for survivors of conflict related sexual violence, including psychosocial and legal support.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report “More than a human can bear”: Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023 published by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel on 13 March, and what representations they have made as a result to (1) the government of Israel, and (2) the United Nations and other international organisations and officials.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are deeply concerned by multiple allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces. We are also appalled by reports of sexual violence being perpetrated against hostages. These reports are horrifying.
The use of sexual violence in conflict is a breach of international law. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world.
The UK has consistently called for all reports, to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors, including during a session of the UN Security Council on 20 March. We have also raised strong concerns around treatment of detainees and International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Government of Israel.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support the Office of the High Representative in their role to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement; and what assessment they have made of the use of Bonn Powers to counter destabilising actions.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK supports the High Representative and use of his executive powers should circumstances require it to counter destabilising actions. The UK issued a strong statement last month in support of his role and the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, spoke with the High Representative on 27 March to reaffirm our position and backing for a strong High Representative response if circumstances necessitate. Dame Karen Pierce, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, also spoke with the High Representative on 27 March while visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to ensure that all parties adhere to the terms of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK is committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) and clear that domestic actors and signatories must continue to adhere to the DPA, which has delivered 30 years of peace in BiH. We have worked through the Peace Implementation Council, and with the High Representative, to bolster domestic institutions to respond to internal and external threats to the DPA. On the international stage, we have urged leaders to use their influence positively and refrain from actions which could undermine the constitutional framework of BiH, including in senior bilateral meetings between ministers and in multilateral fora like the United Nations.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to work with the Peace Implementation Council under the Dayton Peace Agreement to monitor developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK remains committed to maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including through active support for the Dayton Peace Agreement. The UK meets regularly with other members of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC)'s Steering Board in BiH to discuss developments. On 10 March, The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP spoke with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic to reaffirm the UK's support for BiH, the rule of law, and the Dayton Peace Agreement. In December 2024, we secured a strong communiqué by PIC Political Directors on the situation in BiH. In response to secessionist moves by Republika Srpska politicians since August 2024, we have worked with our PIC partners and the High Representative to deliver a strong, unified message against these unconstitutional actions, and to protect BiH's institutions from attempts to undermine them.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to fulfil the UK's role as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement to support the stability and implementation of the agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK remains committed to maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and fulfilment of its roles as a member of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC)'s Steering Board and witness to the Dayton Peace Agreement. In December 2024, we secured a strong communiqué by PIC Political Directors on the situation in BiH. In coordination with international partners and the High Representative, we have supported local actors and institutions in their robust response to Republika Srpska politicians' secessionist moves. On 10 March, the Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty MP spoke with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic to reaffirm the UK's support for BiH, the rule of law, and the Dayton Peace Agreement. We have also supported BiH's stability through bilateral contributions, including deploying staff officers to NATO HQ Sarajevo and promoting reconciliation via local institutions.