Jimmy Lai Conviction
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I associate the Liberal Democrats with the Government’s strong condemnation of Jimmy Lai’s political conviction and of the Chinese Government for engineering it. I join the noble Earl in saluting the courage of Jimmy Lai, who, instead of choosing the easy life available to him, decided at great personal cost to stand up for democracy and freedom.
I have had the privilege of knowing some of those who have made similar sacrifices in other parts of the world. Every time I have met them, I have been humbled by the price they have been prepared to pay, knowing full well in advance of the potential consequences of their actions. That extraordinary and humbling courage requires a commensurate response from our Government in defence of not only an international hero of democracy but a British citizen.
Jimmy Lai is not alone. Many Hong Kongers continue to advocate for democracy despite the consequences, while the CCP continues to seek to undermine Hong Kong’s agreed status. Hong Kongers in the UK are subject to threats and intimidation from the Chinese state, including Carmen Lau, who just last week was subjected to a renewed campaign of intimidation against her.
Can the Minister tell us what assurance the Government can provide to Hong Kongers in the UK that they will be better protected from the outrageous actions of the CCP in our country? Will the Government sanction the CCP officials responsible for extraterritorial intimidation? Will the FCDO update its submission to the Housing Secretary about the risks of the super-embassy in the light of the actions of the Chinese state? Finally, what action will the Government take to signal, beyond any doubt, that the treatment of Jimmy Lai is wholly unacceptable and that they will continue to seek his release, vocally and with concrete action?
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
I thank both noble Lords for what they have said, particularly about Jimmy Lai himself—he truly is a remarkable person. I have not had the privilege of meeting him, but I know that many in this House have done so and consider him a very dear friend. What he has done throughout his life is truly extraordinary. The fact that, at 78 years of age, he finds himself in this terrible situation, for doing nothing other than standing up for democracy, is shocking. The Government are clear that he should be released immediately because his detention is politically motivated and there is no just reason to detain him in prison for a single minute longer.
The Government summoned the Chinese ambassador when the verdict was given. We have demanded that Jimmy Lai is released immediately. We are continuing to demand consular access, which has not been provided to date. We had senior officials attend the trial in order to make the point that the UK Government are watching this very closely. We raise this with partners, including the United States. We have raised this at every level with the Chinese as well.
On the issue of the embassy, clearly, the decision to allow China to use the former Royal Mint was made under the previous Government. Now, it is subject to decisions to be made by MHCLG, and that process is ongoing. The Prime Minister has raised this personally, and he will continue to do so.
In addition to those questions, the noble Lord, Lord Oates, asked about transnational repression, and that is clearly of deep concern to the Government. We are committed to supporting all members of the Hong Kong community who have used their right to relocate here to the UK. We are clear that any attempts by any foreign Governments, and that includes China, to coerce, intimidate or harm their critics here are completely unacceptable. Freedom of speech and other fundamental rights of all people in the UK are protected under our domestic laws.
South Sudan
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The noble and right reverend Lord is completely right when he says that the political instability in South Sudan does not in any way help us achieve the lasting peace we need or the implementation of the power-sharing agreement. But we continue to work closely alongside international partners and with our team in Juba to make sure that any processes there might be around the situation that he identified are done properly. We continue to make the case for stability and the inclusive politics that, in the end, will be the key to a peaceful future for South Sudan.
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition & Hunger. In his 3 November report, the Secretary-General of the UN warned that without humanitarian access being restored to all areas, South Sudan risks a full-scale food and nutrition crisis. Can the Minister update the House on whether any progress has been made on humanitarian access and what discussions the Government have had with the South Sudan Government, other warring parties and other influential actors such as the Vatican, the Anglican Church and other AU Governments?
Corruption: Low and Middle-income Countries
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Lord Oates
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they will strengthen existing policy, resources and enforcement powers to ensure the prosecution of those in the United Kingdom who have enriched themselves through the corrupt use of public funds in low-and-middle-income countries.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
My Lords, the Government remain committed to reducing the harms of illicit finance on developing countries and to holding those responsible to account. The National Crime Agency’s international corruption unit and international anti-corruption co-ordination centre provide critical assistance to help developing countries trace and recover stolen assets and pursue justice via the UK courts. The Government plan to publish a new anti-corruption strategy, which will set out ambitious actions and reforms in this area.
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I welcome the Government’s focus on this critical issue. The Minister will be aware of the particular role of the illicit gold trade in fuelling the conflict in Sudan and conflicts elsewhere, and in laundering the proceeds of corruption around the globe. Will the Government, therefore, use their forthcoming illicit finance summit to designate additional sanctions packages against corrupt elites, such as those members of the Zimbabwe gold mafia, who have not yet been sanctioned, and their professional enablers, who launder proceeds from the illicit gold trade through the UK and through the United Arab Emirates?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
As he knows, we do not comment on future designations, but I thank him for reminding us of the role of illicit gold mining, in particular, in this. This is how many billions of dollars are hidden. It is also associated with horrendous abuses of people and all kinds of illicit activities, including criminal activity across borders. I thank him also for reminding the House of our plans to hold a summit next year, and I look forward to his full engagement in that.
Official Development Assistance
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, and in doing so I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition and Hunger.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
My Lords, we are committed to the sustainable development goals and to continue working with partners to accelerate progress by 2030. To do this, we are resetting our approach, moving from donor to investor and building modern, mutually beneficial partnerships to navigate global issues. Aid alone has never been enough, which is why at the conference on financing for development we pushed for tangible action on global finance system reform, including UK-led initiatives to unlock more private capital.
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply. She will be aware that the cumulative impacts of cuts to development support around the world fundamentally undermine progress on the sustainable development goals, with devastating consequences for millions of people. In light of that fact, will she ensure that remaining UK development support is maximised by directing it through match-funding mechanisms with partner countries and philanthropies, by working with multilateral development banks to leverage their balance sheets to focus on the SDGs and by urgently addressing unsustainable debt servicing burdens on low-income countries?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
It certainly does present a challenge, as the UK and many other nations are making similar decisions about their ODA budgets. However, while it makes this more of a challenge, it does not mean that we give up, and the way that the noble Lord suggests that we direct our spend in future is pretty much what we are doing. We are focusing and pivoting more towards the multilateral system, because that is how you can leverage more funds and get better value and more impact in country, which we all want to see.
Sudan
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The noble Lord is right, and we are deeply concerned about that. I also commend the Duchess of Edinburgh for the work she has done; she has visited the border too and heard for herself the traumatic accounts that he alluded to in his question. My noble friend Lord Collins works through the UN on the issues that he is talking about, and we are working with our multilateral partners to provide the support that he is right to remind us will be needed for a long time for the women he has referred to.
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition and Hunger. We heard last night from diaspora representatives from Sudan about the devastating impact that malnutrition is having particularly on people suffering from diseases that would normally be minor, but who are dying of them because of malnourishment. What assessment have the Government made of using different and smaller agencies to ensure access on the ground, and are they prepared to take greater risks to reach people?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
Yes, in short. We need to use a variety of agencies in order to reach people. The noble Lord is also right in what he says about nutrition: we see people who are badly malnourished, and that has other impacts. Cholera is now present, for example. Even the work that we do on the border in refugee camps is hampered by the condition that people find themselves in. Vaccinations become difficult because they are less effective when a child is malnourished. I fear that the impact of this is going to be very long lasting.
London Sudan Conference
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington(7 months, 3 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord, Lord Callanan, for his agreement with us about the nature of the conflict in Sudan and, as he quite rightly said, the horrific impact it is having on civilians—not least on women and very young children, who have been subject to the most violent sexual attacks. I can assure him that we will continue to do everything we can to bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict, difficult though that undoubtedly is.
The conference that we held in London during recess involved Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, South Sudan, Chad, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as Norway, Canada, the USA, Switzerland, the UN and the League of Arab States. We hosted it alongside the African Union. This was a good step, and there was a co-chairs’ statement at the end. This is unlikely to be a situation that is resolved by one intervention such as a conference, but it is right for the Foreign Secretary to show leadership, bring people together and try to at least take the first steps towards improving the situation.
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition & Hunger. I welcome the focus that the Government are giving to the Sudan crisis. However, the Minister will be aware of the critical need to scale up the humanitarian response before the rainy season starts in June, when humanitarian access will become even more difficult. In that context, could she expand on whether the conference concluded specific outcomes on humanitarian access, what the next steps are following the conference and how the Government will ensure that the additional —and welcome—humanitarian funding announced will get to the agencies on the ground as swiftly as possible?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for raising the important issue of access for humanitarian support and aid. The conference was not designed as a pledging conference to raise money, but it did instigate the raising of £800 million towards supporting humanitarian work in Sudan for those who have been displaced. As he will know, there are many people who are now living in neighbouring countries in very difficult conditions. The safety of aid workers, access for aid and the protection of civilians were the three things that were agreed at the conference. We have committed to continuing to work to improve the situation on the ground, difficult though that is.
International Aid Workers: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Debate between Lord Oates and Baroness Chapman of Darlington(1 year ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Oates
To ask His Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the impact of visa restrictions on international aid workers to that country and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
My Lords, we are concerned by reports of humanitarian agencies being unable to do their jobs because of visa restrictions. As the Prime Minister has said, there can be no more excuses from the Israeli Government on humanitarian assistance. He and the Foreign Secretary have repeatedly pressed Israeli leaders to deliver on their promise to flood Gaza with aid, so we call on Israel to co-operate fully with the UN and other humanitarian agencies to facilitate visas and make provisions for humanitarians to carry out their work safely and effectively. Restricting their work is not acceptable.
Lord Oates (LD)
I thank the Minister for her Answer. Does she agree that, as the occupying power, Israel has a duty under international law to ensure adequate provision of food and medical supplies to the people of Gaza? Does she also agree that both the current and the former Governments have repeatedly urged Israel to comply with those obligations, yet obstruction to humanitarian assistance continues? Is it not time for the Government to make it clear that, unless this changes, sanctions will be applied to the responsible Israeli Ministers?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
My Lords, as I have already said, we have concerns. Our priorities for humanitarian action in Gaza are to protect the civilian population with an immediate effort to prepare them for winter, to ensure effective and safe aid distribution in Gaza, to increase the volume and types of goods reaching Gaza and to enable fully the UN and its agencies, including UNRWA.