Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 30 Jan 2019
Offensive Weapons Bill
"My Lords, I begin by saying that I agree with Amendment 70. The amendment seeks to protect the tradition of the kirpan and those who possess it. It permits individuals to possess the kirpan for,
“religious, ceremonial, sporting or historical reasons”.
There is disquiet among those in the Sikh community, …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 30 Jan 2019
Offensive Weapons Bill
"I have had representations from various Sikhs in the past few days—not members of the association but ordinary Sikhs—asking me to speak on this subject. They feel very strongly about it. What is being asked for is reasonable. As I said, there is great disquiet among Sikhs that this is …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 12 Nov 2018
Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill
"My Lords, I will talk about the Prevent strategy in greater detail when we discuss Amendment 57. At this stage, I would like to say that there is disquiet among Muslims regarding the application of the Prevent strategy and it is felt that a review is necessary.
The Home Office …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 12 Nov 2018
Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill
"My Lords, I want to make some comments relating to the Muslim community in the United Kingdom. There are more than 3 million Muslims in the country, who have come here from different parts of the world. The population is youthful in comparison with other communities. Muslims have done well …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 12 Nov 2018
Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill
"These comments have been made to me in general. What I am trying to say to your Lordships’ House is what I have been told. When I go up and down the country and talk to people, I find disquiet and unhappiness about the strategy, so I feel that we …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 12 Jul 2018
Overseas Aid: Charities and Faith-based Organisations
"My Lords, I am pleased to speak briefly in the gap. I begin by saying that I, with my close family and friends, have our own charity, which is entirely funded by us. In addition, I am a patron of two charities.
Muslims all over the world believe in helping …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 20 Feb 2018
Safeguarding in the Aid Sector
"My Lords, I note that letters have been sent to charities which have received UK aid. I am a patron and supporter of a charity which is undertaking work in 12 countries. I had a long meeting with the trustees yesterday, and we decided to tighten and toughen our safeguards. …..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 20 Feb 2018
Safeguarding in the Aid Sector
"Would my noble friend consider taking further action?..."Lord Sheikh - View Speech
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Written Question
Thursday 28th July 2016
Asked by:
Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the agreement between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan and the World Food Programme to transport humanitarian assistance to South Sudan via Sudan, in the light of that agreement's extension.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
On the basis of an agreement between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the governments of Sudan and South Sudan, the WFP have been working with relevant government authorities in both countries and the region to ensure that their planes are able to deliver much needed humanitarian supplies into South Sudan. For instance, from January to June 2016 alone WFP managed to deliver close to 21,300 metric tons of cereals, pulses and vegetable oil to Upper Nile state. With the six-month extension to this agreement, WFP plans to deliver another 10,000 metric tons of food from Sudan to South Sudan. This represents a pragmatic approach to delivering vital humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict in South Sudan, and we welcome the support of the Government of Sudan in facilitating the delivery of food assistance across the border.
DFID Sudan and DFID South Sudan are monitoring the situation in relation to the ongoing crisis in South Sudan, and will keep working closely with WFP to help maintain essential transport corridors for humanitarian assistance.
Written Question
Wednesday 27th July 2016
Asked by:
Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what help and support they are providing to deal with humanitarian issues in South Sudan.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Prior to the eruption of fighting in Juba in early July 2016, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan was already dire, with unprecedented levels of food insecurity and one in five people displaced. In the aftermath of the recent crisis, we assess that the situation is now worse than it has ever been since independence in 2011. Six million people, over half the population, need urgent humanitarian assistance. The UK is the second largest bilateral humanitarian donor, contributing £242 million since the start of the conflict in December 2013. In December 2015, DFID approved a significant five year (2015-2020) humanitarian programme for South Sudan. This programme has been structured to enable DFID and our partners to respond to rising or changing needs.
In addition it is likely to prove necessary to scale up urgent humanitarian assistance in order to maintain vital food and nutrition supply lines, and reduce the risk of famine. We will also continue to ensure that South Sudan’s most vulnerable people are able to access vital health and education services. Our humanitarian partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNICEF (who both receive DFID funding) were able to mobilise responses for those displaced by the recent fighting in Juba, including the provision of water, food and health services. Other partners are continuing to operate outside Juba, supporting urgent health, protection and food security interventions.