Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the European Commission’s statement on 11 September affirming that female war rape victims must have access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services including abortion is in accordance with United Kingdom government policy.
Answered by Baroness Verma
The statement from the European Commission is consistent with UK policy.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to make representations to the European Commission to ensure that European Union policy and practice enable women and girls raped during the armed conflict in Syria to have access to safe abortions in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Answered by Baroness Northover
The UK is in regular dialogue with other EU bilateral donors and the European Commission to protect and promote women’s and girls’ access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. This includes safe abortion services in line with our policy on safe and unsafe abortion. The UK remains one of only a handful of international donors willing to tackle this highly sensitive issue.
Asked by: Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that the implementation of the European Commission's policy on humanitarian aid for medical treatment for service women and civilian girls raped in armed conflict or forced into pregnancy provides effective access to safe abortions where national law forbids such treatment.
Answered by Baroness Northover
The UK is in regular dialogue with other EU bilateral donors and the European Commission to protect and promote women’s and girls' access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. This includes safe abortion services in line with our policy on safe and unsafe abortion.