Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in response to reports that, since November 2020, Ugandan supporters of the National Unity Platform have been abducted by the government of Uganda's security services; and what proportion of UK Official Development Assistance is focused on security sector reform in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The treatment of opposition candidates and their supporters, including reports of abductions and arbitrary detentions, in the run-up to and since the Ugandan elections is concerning and does not provide for an open political landscape for democracy to flourish. We have raised our concerns on this at the highest level with the Government of Uganda. Following the disproportionate response by the Ugandan security services to the protests at the end of November 2020, we took the decision to cut pause funding of three projects, totalling £40,909, which were working directly with the Ugandan security services. There is currently no UK Overseas Development Assistance spend to support security sector reform. In addition to the wider UK ODA review, we are currently reviewing UKAid spend in Uganda, including the permanent status of the above projects. Following the Presidential election results on 16 January 2021, the Minister for Africa set out, in a statement, our significant concerns about the overall political climate surrounding the elections and have urged the Government of Uganda to meet its international human rights commitments. The British High Commission in Kampala has regular meetings with international partners, NGOs, the Government of Uganda, and others, in order to gain an accurate picture of the human rights situation in Uganda. We regularly urge the Government of Uganda to uphold its international human rights commitments and have spoken out both publicly and privately against human rights violations and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the passing of resolution S.Res.684 on 1 January by the United States Senate relating to violence in Cameroon, what discussions they have had with the government of the United States about relations with the government of Cameroon since the resolution; and what assessment they have made of (1) the impact of this resolution on the human rights situation in that country, and (2) the willingness of that government to revive the peace process.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon, including about reports of human rights abuses and violations by both armed separatists and the security forces. As Rita French, the UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights set out at the UN Human Rights Council session on 15 September 2020, those who have abused and violated human rights in Cameroon must be held responsible. The UK Government regularly raises the crisis with international partners, including the United States, and in multilateral fora. Given the short period of time since resolution S.Res.684 passed, it is too soon to determine what impact it will have. The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
We urge all sides to remain engaged with the Swiss-led process to facilitate talks. The Minister for Africa spoke to the Prime Minister of Cameroon, Joesph Ngute, in December 2020 to stress the need for inclusive dialogue and a peaceful solution which addresses the root causes of the crisis.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the presidential election in Uganda, and (2) whether that election was free and fair; and what representations they have made to (a) President Museveni, and (b) the government of Uganda, about the conduct of the security forces (i) during, and (ii) in the period after, that election towards opposition candidates and parties.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Voting in Uganda's Presidential election concluded on 14 January and we note the re-election of President Museveni. However, significant concerns remain unaddressed including the treatment of opposition candidates in the run-up to and following the elections, the internet shutdown during the elections and subsequent restrictions on social media, and the treatment of journalists throughout this period. The UK deployed 51 Election Observers across Uganda on election day and reported back to our High Commission in Kampala. We have been consulting with international partners, civil society actors, other international observers, and the Government of Uganda to ensure we have a comprehensive and accurate picture of the elections. We have also urged the Government of Uganda to respond to the concerns raised.
Following the arrest of opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, and subsequent violence in November, the Minister for Africa tweeted his concerns on 20 November 2020 and called for the authorities to respect the rights of all Ugandans to express their views in a peaceful manner. He also raised these concerns with the Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa on 26 November 2020 and sought assurances that the Ugandan security forces would show restraint. Following the Presidential election results on 16 January, the Minister for Africa set out in a statement our significant concerns about the overall political climate surrounding the elections and has urged the Government of Uganda to meet its international human rights commitments. The treatment of opposition figures post-election, including Robert Kyagulanyi, has been unacceptable and the Minister for Africa expressed his concerns about this in his tweet on 19 January. We welcome the High Court of Uganda's decision of 25 January that the detention of Robert Kyagulanyi was unconstitutional and unlawful and that these restrictions are now lifted. The British High Commission Kampala pressed the Ugandan authorities to end these unacceptable restrictions on his liberty. Our High Commissioner in Kampala continues to meet political actors from all parties and met Robert Kyagulanyi on 27 January 2021. They discussed the political situation in Uganda, the restrictions to political freedoms before and after the elections and the concerns raised over electoral processes. The High Commissioner urged Kyagulanyi and all parties to reject violence, engage in peaceful dialogue and follow due process to address any electoral irregularities. As a long-standing partner to Uganda, and a steadfast advocate for Ugandan democracy, the United Kingdom will continue to follow post-election developments closely.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when their High Commissioner to Uganda last met (1) Bobi Wine, and (2) President Museveni; what assessment they have made of continuing to provide any Overseas Development Assistance to Uganda; and what plans they have to make representations to the government of Uganda about (a) the release from house arrest of Bobi Wine, and (b) ending any harassment of opposition parties.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi on 18 November 2020 which sparked violent protests in Uganda, the Minister for Africa spoke to the Ugandan Foreign Minister, Sam Kutesa, on 26 November 2020 and raised the UK's concerns about the violence that took place. The Minister for Africa sought reassurances that Ugandan security forces would show restraint and raised the importance of the rights of Ugandans to freely express their views. Ahead of the elections, the Minister for Africa spoke to Foreign Minister Kutesa again on 12 January 2021 and expressed the importance of independent observation of the elections on 14 January.
Following the elections on 14 January 2021, the Minister for Africa set out in a statement our concerns on 17 January 2021 about the overall political climate surrounding the elections and has urged the Government of Uganda to meet its international human rights commitments. The treatment of Robert Kyagulanyi has been unacceptable and the Minister for Africa expressed his concerns about this in a tweet on 19 January 2021. The Minister for Africa welcomes the High Court of Uganda's decision of 25 January 2021 that the detention of Robert Kyagulanyi was unconstitutional and that these restrictions have been lifted. The British High Commission Kampala pressed the Ugandan authorities to end these unacceptable restrictions on his liberty. As a long-standing partner to Uganda, and a steadfast advocate for Ugandan democracy, the United Kingdom will continue to follow post-election developments closely.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reports that the government of Ethiopia has denied unfettered access to aid agencies and development workers to regions where humanitarian aid is needed; and what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about the impact of any such actions on (1) citizens in areas affected by conflict, (2) the humanitarian crisis, and (3) the continuation of the provision of Official Development Assistance to that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to work with the UN to promote and monitor access and delivery of humanitarian support to those who need it including to civilians in contested areas in line with the guiding humanitarian 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.
The UK has been at the forefront, liaising closely with the United Nations (UN) and partners, in calling for sustained, free and unfettered humanitarian access across Tigray. 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 have assessed the appropriateness of UKAid programmes in Ethiopia in light of the developments of the Tigray conflict. We are clear that our priority is supporting Ethiopians in need and we continue to support critical services including health, nutrition, education, food security and water, the COVID-19 response and humanitarian needs across the country.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) conflict in Tigray, (2) the actions of combatants in that region against historic places of Christian and Muslim worship, (3) reports of the arrest of leading clerics including the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and (4) reports of the disappearance of Bishop Mehdin, priests, and followers from the Eparchy of Adigrat.
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 for many tens of thousands of people, displacing them internally and externally, and adversely impacting those that were already in need of humanitarian assistance. We are saddened by reports that some places of worship may have been damaged in the conflict. Access to much of the region remains constrained, and reports difficult to verify.
We are aware of no reporting to suggest that Patriarch Abune has been detained, and this issue has not been raised with our Embassy in Addis Ababa by our friends at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa have received indications that Bishop Mehdin is well and at liberty, and are attempting to contact him directly.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of carpet bombing by Eritrean and Ethiopian forces on villages in Tigray; and what steps they intend to take (1) themselves, (2) with the African Union, (3) with EU member states, (4) with the government of the United States, and (5) with other interested parties, to safeguard the civilian population of Tigray from such action.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are concerned at reports of violations and atrocities in Tigray. Access to much of the region remains constrained and reports are difficult to verify. We have consistently called, in concert with international partners, for all parties to the conflict to prioritise the protection of civilians. We continue to call for independent investigation of allegations of abuses and violations of International Humanitarian Law. The British Ambassador in Eritrea and other international partners continue to raise questions about the mounting reports of Eritrean involvement in the conflict in Tigray. The Eritrean Government continue to deny their involvement.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the numbers of displaced people escaping conflict in Tigray (a) internally, and (b) externally into Sudan, and (2) the implications of that conflict for food security in that region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We await the results of the joint UN - Government of Ethiopia needs assessment missions. The UN estimates that up to 1.3 million people affected by the conflict in Tigray need humanitarian assistance, on top of an existing humanitarian caseload of one million people in the region. As of 4 January, 55,500 people have sought refuge in Sudan.
We are concerned about the impact of the conflict and displacement on food security and nutrition in Tigray and understand that up to 1.26 million people could be in need of humanitarian food assistance.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the (1) funding, and (2) operational sustainability, of small charities working in the field of international development.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO recognises that this is an uncertain time for the charity sector and we continue to work flexibly with civil society partners to respond to the pandemic, maintain delivery of essential programmes and manage the impacts on organisations and staff. We have kept informed of the level of risk to the sector by the BOND survey of its members. Many charities have benefited from the existing measures announced by the Government to support employers and businesses and all charities have also been eligible for the job retention scheme.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the Small International Development Charities Network on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continuing viability of such charities; and what plans they have to meet with representatives of the Network.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO has received a number of MP's letters requesting a response to their constituents who have expressed support for the Small but Mighty campaign championed by the Small International Development Charities Network. The FCDO currently has no specific plans to meet representatives of the Network. However, as an organisation, we attach immense value to engaging with civil society organisations which, like the FCDO, are at the forefront of delivering aid. We will continue to engage directly with organisations that share our objectives in international development and contribute to delivering UK Aid to poor and excluded communities around the world.