Written Question
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
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
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
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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
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Written Question
Monday 8th March 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 assessment they have made of who is responsible for the rocket attacks in Erbil on 15 February.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government of Iraq (GoI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are urgently investigating circumstances around the rocket attacks in the vicinity of Erbil Airport on 15 February. Although publicly claimed by a militia group called Awliya al-Dam (Guardians of the Blood), investigations are still ongoing. The UK has committed along with the US, France, Germany, and Italy to support the GoI's and KRG's efforts, with a view to holding accountable those responsible.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 19 Jan 2021
Xinjiang: Forced Labour
"My Lords, this is a brutal and corrupt dictatorship, and the idea advanced by some that the closer the relationship with the West the quicker it will move to freedom and democracy has been proved completely wrong. While trade has increased massively over the last 30 years, China today is …..."Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 18 Jan 2021
International Soft Power Strategy: Role of BBC
"My Lords, the BBC is the world’s most trusted broadcaster and its work in promoting values such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law is crucial when Chinese and Russian state-funded propaganda channels, with no commitment to accuracy or impartiality, are building large audiences in Europe, across Africa and …..."Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 05 Nov 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"1. What assessment he has made of the effect of the US Administration's decision to withdraw support for Kurdish forces on regional stability. ..."Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 05 Nov 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"Mr Speaker, I am sure the whole House will want to join me in congratulating you on your election yesterday. It is fantastic to see you in the Chair.
I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. Abandoning the Kurds, who led the fight against IS, has seen over …..."Lord Austin of Dudley - View Speech
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