Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Collins of Highbury on 9 June (HL Deb col 1066), what assessment they have made of (1) reports of the discovery of 117 mass graves across Khartoum, and (2) of reports of genocide in Darfur; and what action they are taking to collect and preserve evidence to ensure that those responsible are held to account.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are shocked at the recent reports about the discovery of mass graves in Khartoum. The Foreign Secretary has stated that the UK will continue to use all tools available to hold those responsible for such atrocities to account. The most effective mechanism to support accountability in Sudan is the UN Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Mission. The UK led lobbying for the renewal of its mandate in October 2024, and we have already started formulating our lobbying strategy ahead of its next renewal in September. We are also using the momentum provided by the London Sudan conference to sustain pressure on the warring parties to adhere to their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support pro-democracy actors and civil society organisations in Myanmar and among the diaspora.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK works closely with pro-democracy actors, and civil society organisations to help further peace and stability in Myanmar. This includes engaging closely with Myanmar diaspora groups and civil society organisations, including Rohingya groups, to ensure their voices are helping inform our policy. As penholder at the UN Security Council, the UK continues to ensure the international community does not forget about the people of Myanmar, and their vision for a peaceful, democratic future.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support freedom of expression in Myanmar in the context of the Myanmar military’s restrictions on independent media.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We are concerned by the recent UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report, which stated since the coup in February 2021 that 15 media outlets have been shut down and 193 media workers arrested, of whom at least 57 remain in detention. The UK continues to support organisations, such as Myanmar Witness, to collect independent, verifiable data, foster collaboration with independent media outlets and counter the military's mis and disinformation. This work continues to increase attention on human rights abuses across the country. We also continue to call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar, including those who worked in the media.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to press for the release of political prisoners detained in Myanmar.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK condemns the arbitrary detention of politicians, civil society members and journalists by the military regime. We have repeatedly called for their release, On 31 January 2025, the Foreign Secretary called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar, including Aung San Suu Kyi. In April, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Myanmar, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been arbitrarily detained, charged, or arrested, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
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 the role of international activists and artists in raising awareness of human rights abuses in Myanmar, and what steps they are taking to support such individuals in their advocacy work and ensure that bureaucratic barriers do not prevent their contribution to cultural and political life in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK supports the role of international activism and art as powerful expressions to raise awareness of human rights abuses in Myanmar. We condemn all human rights atrocities committed in Myanmar, notably by the military regime. In April, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar calling for the Myanmar military to fully respect and protect the human rights of all persons in Myanmar, including Rohingya and other persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities. We will continue to support the role of activists and artists, in our shared commitment to shining a light on the grave human rights atrocities taking place in Myanmar.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent the flow of aviation fuel to the Myanmar military, following the airstrike on a school in Sagaing region on 12 May.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The recent airstrike on a school in Sagaing was devastating. On 13 May, the Minister for the Indo-Pacific called for all parties, particularly the Myanmar military, to refrain from airstrikes, safeguard civilians, and protect civilian infrastructure. In October 2024, the UK issued its 19th round of sanctions, targeting companies involved in the procurement of aviation fuel and equipment to the Myanmar armed forces. The UK remains committed to targeted sanctions, which directly impact the military without harming the wider population.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards securing the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah from prison in Egypt.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is committed to securing Mr El-Fattah's release and we continue to press his case at the highest levels of the Egyptian government. The Prime Minister raised Mr El-Fattah's case in a phone call to President Sisi on 22 May. I raised the case with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 25 May, and with the Egyptian Ambassador on 31 May. The Foreign Secretary also raised the case with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 1 June.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of the Panchen Lama, what representations they have recently made to the government of China to encourage it to disclose his whereabouts and to respect religious freedom in Tibet.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We have serious concerns regarding the welfare and whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and we call for his release.
We will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through the UN and bilateral engagement. For example, the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively). The UK also joined a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October 2024.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what practical steps they are taking to ensure the expeditious release of Jimmy Lai from prison, his reunion with his family, and whether they will arrange for the Prime Minister to meet Jimmy Lai’s son.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
This Government, from the Prime Minister down, continues to call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and release Jimmy Lai. The Prime Minister raised his case with President Xi at the G20, and the Foreign Secretary raised it most recently with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in April.
The Prime Minister is following Jimmy Lai's trial closely. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific remains in regular contact with Mr Lai's son and last met him on 28 April and raised this case with the Hong Kong Government on 30 May.
Jimmy Lai's case remains a priority, and we will continue to press for consular access.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, bilaterally or through international forums, to support humanitarian access, civilian protection and accountability in the light of reports of armed non-state actors operating in the Kurram region of Pakistan.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK urges the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the protection of civilians in Kurram, work to restore unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance, and undertake transparent investigations into attacks on civilians. It is imperative that aid organisations can deliver essential supplies and services without delay or obstruction. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Kurram with senior government representatives.