Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports from the government of South Korea that a further 3,000 North Korean troops have been sent to fight in the war in Ukraine this year; and what measures they have taken to hold those responsible to account.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is aware of recent reports in the press citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff that DPRK has subsequently deployed a further 3,000 additional troops in support of Russian Forces in Kursk.
As stated by the Foreign Secretary previously, such cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is not only in violation of multiple UNSC resolutions, but also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens global security, including those in the ROK and the UK, and demonstrates the desperation of the DPRK and Russia. We are committed to providing the support Ukraine requires to secure a just and lasting peace.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 December 2021 (HLWS439), what plans they have to publish the review of asylum seeker right to work policy.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government will later this year publish a new white paper on immigration covering a wide range of issues, including enforcement of the rules governing eligibility to work.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the manifesto Putting victims first: renewing the UK’s commitment to victims of trafficking and modern slavery, published in July 2024 by a coalition of modern slavery organisations.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government continues to engage with the coalition of NGOs referred to and a wide range of experts and stakeholders keeping all aspects of asylum and immigration systems under regular review including in relation to trafficking and modern slavery.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to address the illegal extraction of minerals in Tigray; and what assessment they have made of the environmental destruction and harm to livestock caused by these activities.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are monitoring reports of the illegal extraction of minerals in Tigray. It is important that all such activity is conducted legally and with the appropriate approvals from the relevant government authorities in Ethiopia and is done in a way that protects the local environment.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the policy to prevent asylum seekers from working while awaiting a decision on their applications; and what assessment they have made of providing this opportunity to applicants who are victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work in jobs on the Immigration Salary List.
Where a victim of modern slavery is seeking asylum, we may allow earlier permission to work on an exceptional basis. In these cases, consideration will be given to that individual’s physical, psychological and social recovery.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of draft law on foreign agents introduced on 31 March by the government of Georgia, and what assessment they have made of the impact of the legislation on political opposition.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A vibrant opposition and civil society in Georgia, is an essential attribute of a healthy democracy. We have serious concerns over the recent repressive legislation Georgian Dream have rushed through parliament, including the Georgian Foreign Agents Registration Act legislation and Successor Parties Law. The Minister of State, Stephen Doughty MP raised concerns over the plans and civil society and democratic freedoms with Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Botchorishvili on 16 December 2024.
The proposed laws would place extreme constraints on civil society and opposition parties, while undermining a democratic and prosperous future for all Georgians.