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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 03 Mar 2022
Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022

"My Lords, I congratulate the Minister and the Government on the tough regime of sanctions that has been introduced this week, and I agree with every word of the previous speech.

This is an extraordinary time. Civilians are being bombed and war crimes are being committed, and extraordinary times require …..."
Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech

View all Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 09 Dec 2021
UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees

"My Lords, UNRWA was founded in 1948 to help 700,000 refugees but now provides aid for more than 5 million. Uniquely, UNRWA status—unlike that of any other refugees anywhere in the world—is passed down through the generations. Should we not encourage UNRWA to press Lebanon, Jordan and the other countries …..."
Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech

View all Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 02 Dec 2021
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

"My Lords, I start by paying tribute to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Chelmsford for, as other noble Lords have said, a remarkable and moving maiden speech—a quite extraordinary speech. As the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, said, it was probably the best speech any of us has heard …..."
Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech

View all Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 19 Oct 2021
Iran

"My Lords, it is a pleasure and a privilege to follow the noble Lord, Lord Browne. I congratulate him on the plan that he set out, which I am sure the Government will consider.

I also congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, on securing this important debate. He is completely …..."
Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech

View all Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Iran
Written Question
Universal Rights Group
Tuesday 29th June 2021

Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure their support for the Universal Rights Group non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland is contingent on that organisation's support for the UK’s policy priorities in the Middle East region; and in particular, the UK's priorities in respect of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

HM Government respects the independence of civil society organisations. While HMG ensures objectives of projects it funds are clear and value for money, it is not contingent on support for other UK policy priorities.

Written Question
Iraq: Kurds
Thursday 24th June 2021

Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the activities of the British Council in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The British Council maintains an office in Erbil and all of the British Council's cultural relations activities in Iraq extend to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). This includes programmes in arts and culture, education and English. The British Council runs a free digital library service across Iraq, including KRI, and paid education services in online English teaching and face-to-face English language assessment at centres in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Written Question
Universal Rights Group
Wednesday 23rd June 2021

Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what partnerships their diplomatic missions (1) have at present, or (2) have had in the past, with the Universal Rights Group non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The United Kingdom Mission in Geneva regularly engages with a wide range of civil society organisations, including the Universal Rights Group, to help advance its work at the UN Human Rights Council. The UK Mission participates in the annual human rights "Glion Dialogue" which is hosted by the Swiss Government in partnership with the Universal Rights Group and attended by a diverse group of states and civil society organisations.

Written Question
Universal Rights Group
Wednesday 23rd June 2021

Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what projects their diplomatic missions have funded for the Universal Rights Group non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland; and how much funding has been approved.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

HM Government have provided funding to the Universal Rights Group for a number of projects:

  • In 2013-14 we funded URG £60,000 to support the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 16/18 on combating religious intolerance.
  • In 2016-17, £30,250 and in 2017-18 £22,100, to support projects on corruption and SDG16 on "Leveraging the UN human rights system to contribute to the global fight against corruption and the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 16"
  • In 2018-19 25,043 CHF for a project to support a more diverse membership of the Human Rights Council , through engagement with small island developing states and least developed countries

No funding has been provided to Universal Rights Group in the last 2 years.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 07 Jun 2021
Iran: British-Iranian Prisoners

"My Lords, this brutal regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps kidnaps and imprisons British citizens, has an appalling record on human rights and exports terror and extremism across the Middle East, including providing thousands of rockets for Hamas to rain down on Israeli citizens. Will the Government use this …..."
Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech

View all Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Iran: British-Iranian Prisoners
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 08 Mar 2021
Hong Kong: Democracy Movement

"My Lords, what assessment have the Government made of the plans announced last week to extend Beijing’s power of appointment to the Hong Kong parliament and be granted a veto over all of the candidates? This could prevent democracy activists standing in elections and has been described by the noble …..."
Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech

View all Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Hong Kong: Democracy Movement