Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of Armenia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government has seen no evidence of the involvement of Armenia in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India to advocate for the release of human rights activists in that country, including Khurram Parvez.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government will continue to encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards and to cooperate with UN human rights officials and all mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. Our position is clear, that any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently.
We engage with India on a range of human rights matters, and we raise our concerns directly with the Government of India, including at ministerial level, where we have them.
Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Bangladesh about the release of political prisoners, particularly the former Prime Minister of that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I [Lord Ahmad] visited Bangladesh from 15 November to 17 November and met with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society actors and other key figures. During the visit I reiterated the UK's commitment to supporting human rights and democratic values.
We will continue to stress to the Government of Bangladesh, both in public and in private, the importance of respect for human rights and the rule of law. We expect those in detention, including Khaleda Zia, to be treated in accordance with Bangladesh's international commitments on human rights. We regularly engage with the Government of Bangladesh on the treatment of those in detention and on the integrity and independence of the judicial process.
Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make representations to the government of Armenia to (1) provide maps of landmines in the Nagorno-Karabakh region to the government of Azerbaijan, and (2) cooperate with the government of Azerbaijan in clearing landmines in the region.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The Minister for Europe and Americas continues to raise with both Governments the importance of resolving all outstanding matters related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the return of mine maps, through negotiations facilitated by the OSCE Minsk Group. She did so most recently in her meetings with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Ambassadors on 4 and 17 November respectively. We welcome the most recent returns of prisoners of war in exchange for mine maps. The UK continues to urge both Governments to settle all matters related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiation under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.
In June the Ministry of Defence sent Counter Explosives Experts to survey parts of Azerbaijan worst effected by unexplored ordnance to understand how the UK can best support Azerbaijan in this area. The Minister for Europe and Americas announced in September that the UK had contributed £500,000 to a United Nations Development Programme initiative to take action on mines left in the region as a legacy of the conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. These funds will assist with training and personnel to support de-mining in Azerbaijan.
Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to further strengthen bilateral co-operation with Azerbaijan.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK Government continues to work with Azerbaijan to strength our bilateral cooperation. In her recent call on 14 June with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov, the Minister for Europe and Americas welcomed the continued strengthening of UK-Azerbaijani relations including in key areas such as trade and English language learning. Our Embassy in Baku continues to explore areas where the UK and Azerbaijan might increase cooperation.
Asked by: Lord Hussain (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the independence of Azerbaijan on 18 October, and (2) to mark the anniversary by strengthening bilateral cooperation with the government of Azerbaijan.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Her Majesty the Queen sends her congratulations on the occasion of the anniversary of countries' national or independence days, including Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan, the UK Ambassador will congratulate the people of Azerbaijan on 18 October - the Day of Restoration of Independence. The UK Government continues to work with Azerbaijan to strengthen our bilateral cooperation. In her recent call with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov, the Minister for Europe and Americas welcomed the continued strengthening of UK-Azerbaijani relations including in key areas such as trade and English language learning.