Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enhance academic partnerships between UK universities and higher education institutions in Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The UK supports all Cypriot students, including those in the North, to access UK higher education networks and institutes. In line with the rest of the international community with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ as an independent state. Several UN Security Council Resolutions limit links between UK and the north of Cyprus.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of violence against minority groups in Bangladesh.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief. In November 2024, the Minister for the Indo-Pacific visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus who has been vocal about the Interim Government's support for minorities. The UK supports the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which published their report on human rights violations that occurred during last year's student-led protests. We encourage continued collaboration between the Interim Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations and international partners to build an inclusive, democratic future.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce new scholarships for students from Northern Cyprus to study in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The department does not have any plans to introduce scholarships for students from Cyprus to study in the UK.
There are a range of resources and support for international students looking for scholarships, which can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website and the British Council’s Study UK page.
Higher education (HE) providers in the UK offer a range of bursaries and scholarships to international students. We encourage students to ask their HE provider for information on support that may be available.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups, what steps they are taking to investigate allegations that trustees and leading figures of the charities Dar Alhekma and the Abrar Islamic Foundation have been involved in violent assaults targeting Iranian dissidents in London and supported proscribed terrorist organisations.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK Government continually assesses potential threats to the UK and will act where necessary to address those threats. We are committed to tackling those who spread views that sow divisions within our communities and oppose the values we share as a society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking malign activity, the Government will respond accordingly.
It is an offence under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to be a member of, invite support for, or recklessly express support for a proscribed organisation such that it encourages others to support that organisation. The proscription offences can attract up to 14 years in prison.
The investigation and prosecution of criminal offences is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service and these decisions are taken independently of the Government.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups, whether they plan to refer these charities for investigation by the Charity Commission to determine their eligibility for charitable status.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1170 to Lord Blencathra on 21 October 2024:
"The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.
The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action."
The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups and that the Charity Commission was assessing whether to begin a formal investigation, whether a charity commission investigation has been initiated.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1170 to Lord Blencathra on 21 October 2024:
"The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.
The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action."
The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups, what assessment have they made of whether the charities Dar Alhekma, the Abrar Islamic Foundation, and other charities connected with them are promoting extremism in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1170 to Lord Blencathra on 21 October 2024:
"The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.
The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action."
The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of previous alleged electoral irregularities and human rights abuses in Bangladesh on the fairness of that country’s forthcoming general election.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is important that the people of Bangladesh should have the opportunity to freely choose their government. We are concerned at recent violence and the arrest of opposition politicians. We call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, prevent violence and come together to create the conditions for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election. Respect for human rights, rule of law and access to justice is essential. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the FCDO and we regularly raise our human rights issues regarding the treatment of those in detention, including Khaleda Zia, with the Government of Bangladesh.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Bangladesh on the release of Khaleda Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader, ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is important that the people of Bangladesh should have the opportunity to freely choose their government. We are concerned at recent violence and the arrest of opposition politicians. We call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, prevent violence and come together to create the conditions for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election. Respect for human rights, rule of law and access to justice is essential. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the FCDO and we regularly raise our human rights issues regarding the treatment of those in detention, including Khaleda Zia, with the Government of Bangladesh.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the violence taking place in Bangladesh ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is important that the people of Bangladesh should have the opportunity to freely choose their government. We are concerned at recent violence and the arrest of opposition politicians. We call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, prevent violence and come together to create the conditions for a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election. Respect for human rights, rule of law and access to justice is essential. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the FCDO and we regularly raise our human rights issues regarding the treatment of those in detention, including Khaleda Zia, with the Government of Bangladesh.