Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that a privatised Channel 4 will continue to have a duty to deliver diverse religious and ethical content.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The consultation document on a potential change of Channel 4’s ownership outlined that Her Majesty’s Government sees the great value delivered to society through the remit obligations placed on Channel 4 to broadcast content which appeals to a diverse society.
Her Majesty’s Government has been very clear that it wants Channel 4 to remain a Public Service Broadcaster, with obligations and benefits similar to others – both public and privately-owned – so that it continues to make an important social, economic and cultural contribution to the UK.
Moreover, Her Majesty’s Government considers that Channel 4’s ability to reach a diverse range of audiences is a strength to be celebrated and maintained, and that this is not at odds with private investment – in fact, this is an important facet of Channel 4’s brand which is likely to be an attractive asset to nurture and develop for any potential buyer.
It is important to note that, notwithstanding the above, Channel 4 does not currently have a specific duty to deliver diverse religious and ethical content, though it may choose to do so as part of its overall contribution to the public service remit for television.
Her Majesty's Government will set out the future plan for Channel 4 in a White Paper shortly.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of human rights abuses in Tigray; and what support they are providing (1) to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, (2) to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and (3) to the African Union, to (a) investigate, and (b) document, such abuses.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are shocked and saddened by further reports from Tigray of massacres of civilians, sexual violence, and attacks on humanitarian facilities and places of worship. An ongoing lack of access to the Tigray region for human rights organisations, means that it remains difficult to confirm these reports. We will continue to work with partners to seek further information. The UK has, alongside the UN and international partners, called on all sides to ensure the protection of civilians and adhere to international law and international human rights law. We support the call by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission for the independent investigation of human rights violations and unfettered access to Tigray - points the Foreign Secretary discussed with PM Abiy in Addis Ababa on 22 January. We also continue to call for the perpetrators of those incidents that are proven to be held to account, whoever they may be. We will continue to make this point in upcoming conversations with the Government of Ethiopia. The UK has welcomed the efforts to date of the three distinguished Special Envoys from the African Union (AU). Prime Minister Abiy met with the three AU Envoys on 27 November 2020 and we continue to encourage the Ethiopian Government to maintain engagement with the AU and the Special Envoys, and continue to call for a cessation of violence.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of refugees going from Ethiopia to Sudan; and what support they are providing to the government of Sudan to respond to the humanitarian needs of these refugees.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is clear that the conflict in Tigray has had significant consequences and has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, both internally and externally, as well as adversely impacting upon those that were already in need of humanitarian assistance. As of 19 January, 59,280 people have sought refuge in Sudan. We are extremely concerned that humanitarian agencies, including the UN High Commission for Refugees, still do not have access to refugee camps in northern Tigray, who have been without aid for many weeks. The UK continues to call for sustained, free and unfettered access to enable the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia (1) to provide unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray, and (2) to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in Tigray.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has been at the forefront, liaising closely with the UN and partners, in calling for sustained, free and unfettered humanitarian access across Tigray, in line with the guiding principles laid down by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We continue to press for the supply of humanitarian assistance to all those who need it, including in the recent December visit by the Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs. We continue to work with the UN to monitor access and the delivery of humanitarian support to all those who need it including to civilians in contested areas.
We have made clear with Ethiopian Ministers the need to protect civilians and adhere to international law and international human rights law. We continue to call for independent, international, investigations into allegations of human right abuses and violations, and that the perpetrators of those incidents that are proven are held to account, whoever they may be. We will continue to make this point in upcoming conversations with the Government of Ethiopia
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in Tigray; and what steps they are taking in response to any such assessment.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has been at the forefront, liaising closely with the UN and partners, in calling for sustained, free and unfettered humanitarian access across Tigray, in line with the guiding principles laid down by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Two joint UN and Government of Ethiopia assessment missions to Tigray have taken place, with assessment reports expected soon. We continue to press for the supply of humanitarian assistance to all those who need it. UK supported live-saving assistance including health, nutrition, non food items (such as blankets, shelter and cooking equipment) and water and sanitation has reached some of the conflict affected areas.
We continue to work with the UN to promote and monitor access and the delivery of humanitarian support to all those who need it, including to civilians in contested areas.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their officials attended the UN Conference to negotiate a ban on nuclear weapons held in New York on 27 March; and if not, why not.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The British Government did not attend the negotiations on a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons that began on 27 March in New York as we do not believe these negotiations will lead to effective progress on global nuclear disarmament. The best way to achieve this goal is through gradual multilateral disarmament negotiated using a step-by-step approach and within existing international frameworks.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of York (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the criteria for giving visas to overseas church representatives in cases where all fares and expenses are guaranteed by a United Kingdom church body.
Answered by Lord Bates
Applicants for visit visas are required to have adequate funds available to cover the cost of their travel to and stay in the UK, without taking employment or accessing public funds. Entry Clearance Officers take into account the individual’s income and outgoings to see whether they have enough money to fund a trip to the UK as well as having suitable accommodation. Relatives and friends can offer this support by providing evidence to demonstrate they have the financial means to support the applicant, as well as information on where the applicant will be staying in the UK.
Officials will be meeting colleagues from the Church of England soon to discuss the current process for visit visa applications for visitors. This should assist both applicants and United Kingdom church bodies when arranging visits to the UK as we want to ensure that genuine applicants who meet the requirements are able to demonstrate this sufficiently the first time.