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Written Question
Middle East: British Nationals Abroad
Wednesday 10th April 2019

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British children are living in refugee camps in Syria or in territory that was formerly part of the sovereign states of Syria or Iraq.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are aware that some British nationals including children are living in displaced persons camps in Syria but due to the circumstances on the ground, we are not in a position to make an accurate estimate of the number. The UK has no consular presence within Syria and has advised against all travel to Syria since 2012 because of the dangers associated with the conflict there. We have not been made aware of any British children living in refugee camps in Iraq or elsewhere in the region.


Written Question
China: Genetic Engineering
Monday 4th February 2019

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of China about reports that babies have been born in China with edited genes.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There are conflicting media reports on claims of genetic modification in China. We shall continue to monitor the situation. We have had no discussion with the Chinese Government regarding the ethical issues and risks associated with the gene-edited babies born in China. The procedure alleged to have been carried out by Prof He Jiankui in China would be illegal in the UK. It would be an offence under the 1990 Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act (1990 Act), punishable, on conviction, by a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine or both.


Written Question
Bangladesh: Demonstrations
Wednesday 19th September 2018

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security situation in Bangladesh following recent security forces' responses to the road safety protests in Dhaka.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

​I was deeply concerned by the violence we saw in Dhaka in response to road safety protests by students following the tragic deaths of two school age students on 29 July. In a statement on 7 August, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Alison Blake, together with other EU Heads of Mission, called on government to investigate incidents of unlawful or disproportionate violence or action against protestors and journalists and to hold perpetrators to account. Subsequently, Joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development Minister Alistair Burt expressed our concern regarding the response to the road safety protests with the Government of Bangladesh, during his visit to Bangladesh from 28-31 August. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We raised freedom of expression as a key concern in Bangladesh during the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review.


Written Question
Bangladesh: Demonstrations
Wednesday 19th September 2018

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to Bangladeshi authorities about the arrest of Shahidul Alam following comments he made about the road safety protests in Dhaka.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

​I was deeply concerned by the violence we saw in Dhaka in response to road safety protests by students following the tragic deaths of two school age students on 29 July, and the subsequent arrest of Mr. Shahidul Alam. In a statement on 7 August, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Alison Blake, together with other EU Heads of Mission, called on government to investigate incidents of unlawful or disproportionate violence or action against protestors and journalists and to hold perpetrators to account. Subsequently, Joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development Minister Alistair Burt expressed our concern regarding the response to the road safety protests, and raised Mr Alam's case, with the Government of Bangladesh, during his visit to Bangladesh from 28-31 August. Bangladesh remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We raised freedom of expression as a key concern in Bangladesh during the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review.


Written Question
Leah Sharibu
Wednesday 16th May 2018

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the government of Nigeria to return Leah Sharibu safely from Boko Haram.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary spoke to Vice President Osinbajo on 26 February and extended an offer of additional UK assistance following the abductions from Dapchi. We continue to call for the release of the remaining Chibok girls, and all those abducted by Boko Haram. Attacks on schools and abductions of children are abhorrent and must stop. It is important that all abductees released or recovered receive appropriate support, including for their families. The UK remains resolute in its support for Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.

The UK provides a substantial and growing package of intelligence, military and development support to help Nigeria fight terrorism. This includes training and advice for Nigerian armed forces deploying against Boko Haram and £5 million to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional taskforce against Boko Haram.


Written Question
Nigeria: Violence
Wednesday 16th May 2018

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of collusion between Boko Haram and armed Fulani Herders in Nigeria.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Boko Haram is known to cooperate with criminal gangs and use illicit networks to facilitate the movement of weapons and people. However, there is no evidence to show collusion between insurgent groups and Fulani Herders.


Written Question
Nigeria: Religious Freedom
Monday 8th January 2018

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current levels of violence between religious groups in Nigeria, and of an estimate by the 2017 Global Terrorism Index which states that 60,000 people have been killed in clashes between predominantly Muslim Fulani Herders and predominantly Christian farmers; and what representations have been made to the government of Nigeria about the levels of religious violence in that country.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are concerned by recurrent clashes involving pastoralists and local farmers over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water. They have a serious impact on lives and communities of all faiths and are a major barrier to Nigeria's economic development. We discuss the issue with Federal and State Governments and encourage them to work with the affected populations on all sides of the conflict to develop a solution. We welcome President Buhari's commitment to focus on assisting the affected communities, bringing perpetrators to justice and examining longer term peaceful solutions to the conflict.


Written Question
India: Religious Freedom
Monday 8th January 2018

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of statistics published by Aid to the Church in Need showing that there were 316 attacks on Christians in the first five months of 2017 compared to 365 incidents in the whole of 2016; what representations they have made to the government of India regarding the rise in violence towards religious minorities; and what assessment they have made of the situation of religious minorities in India.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government condemns all instances of discrimination and violence against individuals or groups because of their religion, regardless of the country or faith concerned.

We regularly engage with Indian counterparts on a range of human rights issues, including minority rights. The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. We are aware of reported incidents against religious minorities in India and continue to monitor the situation.


Written Question
Egypt: Christianity
Thursday 27th April 2017

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions, or meetings, they have had with (1) Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, and (2) the leadership of the Coptic Church in the UK, regarding the bombings of the Coptic churches in Alexandria and Tanta in April.

Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns

​We strongly condemn the recent attacks on the Coptic Christian community in Egypt, claimed by Daesh. Her Majesty's ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, met Pope Tawadros II on 22 April and offered his condolences. I regularly meet Bishop Angaelos, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, and passed on my sincere condolences following the abhorrent recent attacks. The British Government is committed to working with international partners, including Egypt, to strengthen the protection of freedom of religion or belief.


Written Question
Egypt: Christianity
Thursday 27th April 2017

Asked by: Baroness Berridge (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Egypt regarding the bombings of the Coptic churches in Alexandria and Tanta in April.

Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We strongly condemn the recent attacks in Egypt against the Coptic Christian community, claimed by Daesh. The Government of Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of minorities and to the need to promote religious tolerance. We welcome President Sisi's calls for peaceful coexistence and the Government of Egypt's expression of support for the rights of Christians and for religious tolerance.

The UK Government continues to work closely with the Egyptian authorities on security and counter-terrorism.