Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations on allegations of (a) corruption, (b) police killings, (c) disappearances, (d) torture and (e) attempts to suppress the right to protest in Kenya with his Kenyan counterpart; and if he will make such representations in future (i) bi-lateral and (ii) multi-lateral talks.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
The Foreign Secretary engages the Kenya Government on the importance of tackling corruption. At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024, the Foreign Secretary and Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary discussed the Open Government Partnership and the importance of transparency. The British High Commission Nairobi also raised allegations of abductions at the highest levels of the Kenyan Government and released a joint statement following the protests emphasising the need for Kenya to fulfil its democratic principles. The UK's development funding supports police reform, focusing on human rights compliant policing and accountability. We will continue to engage the Kenya Government on human rights compliance issues.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring frozen Russian assets held in the UK to support the underwriting of insurance for Ukrainian projects.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This Government is clear that Russia must be held responsible for its illegal war. That includes its obligations under international law to pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. Working with allies, we continue to pursue all possible lawful further avenues by which Russia can be made to meet those obligations. Our agreement with G7 partners to provide approximately $50 billion in additional funding to Ukraine, repaid by the profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, is an important step towards ensuring Russia pays. Our focus is on delivering this commitment, including the UK's £2.26 billion contribution, as soon as possible.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the current political situation in Uganda.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
The UK works with the Government of Uganda on a range of shared interests including trade, development, humanitarian support and regional security. We engage as a critical friend, and regularly raise concerns about governance and human rights issues with the Ugandan authorities.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the safety of the opposition leaders in Uganda.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
The British High Commission in Uganda regularly advocates for the protection of democratic freedoms and respect for human rights enshrined in Uganda's constitution and has raised the issue of opposition parties being able to campaign safely with the Government of Uganda. Allowing political parties to operate freely is vital to a healthy democracy.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Indonesian counterpart on the human rights situation in West Papua.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign Secretary and have raised concerns publicly about reports of human rights abuses during the protests in Bangladesh. We have urged an end to the violence and stressed the need for the right to assemble peacefully and express different political views to be protected.
We continue to engage with the Bangladesh government including the Foreign Secretary on the importance of respect for human rights.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent discussions he has had with the British High Commission in Kampala on the Ugandan elections in 2026.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The Electoral Commission of Uganda issued its strategic plan in October 2022 and outlined a roadmap for the 2026 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The UK has not taken any decision on election observation. The UK provides financial support to the African Union via the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa and to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent discussions he has had with the British High Commission in Kampala on democratic reform in Uganda.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK will continue to support inclusive democratic processes in Uganda that deliver for future generations. This can only be achieved through an open civic space and credible and inclusive elections. Ministers are in regular contact on these issues with relevant officials in Uganda and the UK.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Uganda.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK works with the Government of Uganda on a range of shared interests including trade, development and regional security. Our approach is to support Uganda to become more democratic and prosperous, and to continue to play a positive regional role. We engage as a critical friend, and regularly raise concerns about governance and human rights issues, including LGBT+ rights, with the Ugandan Government.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he plans to send an election observer mission to Uganda for the 2026 elections.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The Electoral Commission of Uganda issued its strategic plan in October 2022 and outlined a roadmap for the 2026 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The UK has not taken any decision on election observation. The UK provides financial support to the African Union via the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa and to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the appointment of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as head of the Ugandan military.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba was appointed as Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces in March 2024. Uganda plays an important role in regional security, including as the largest Troop Contributing Country to the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The UK will continue to work with the Ugandan authorities to advance our objectives.