Asked by: Cathy Jamieson (Labour (Co-op) - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Mexican government about human rights in that country.
Answered by Lord Swire
We regularly discuss human rights with the Mexican authorities, through our Embassy in Mexico and at Ministerial level. During my visit to Mexico in November, I discussed the human rights situation. I have also subsequently raised the issue with visiting Mexican Ministerial counterparts.
Asked by: Cathy Jamieson (Labour (Co-op) - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Cuban government.
Answered by Lord Swire
I visited Cuba from 29 October to 1 November and met Cuban Vice-President Cabrisas, Foreign Minister Rodriguez and Trade and Investment Minister Malmierca. I also met the Cuban Deputy Ministers for agriculture, energy, trade and investment, tourism, health and foreign affairs. In my meetings, I discussed our bilateral relationship, including issues related to trade and investment, foreign affairs, human rights, tourism and co-operation in the fight against Ebola. I also signed three Memoranda of Understanding with the Cuban Government, covering foreign policy, trade and investment and sport. I agreed that a British trade delegation should visit Cuba later this year to explore opportunities for foreign investors to help with Cuba’s economic development.
Asked by: Cathy Jamieson (Labour (Co-op) - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of international support for the Nigerian authorities in tackling Boko Haram.
Answered by James Duddridge
Nigeria faces a serious threat from Boko Haram. More than 3,000 people have been killed by the group this year and over 1.5 million have been displaced.
Addressing the threat from Boko Haram is primarily the responsibility of the Nigerian authorities. However, the UK, along with other international partners is providing support to Nigeria and its neighbours in their efforts to defeat Boko Haram. This support includes a range of intelligence, military and development assistance both to support current operations and to help tackle the long term causes of instability. I led the UK delegation to the last meeting of regional foreign ministers on 3 September in Abuja. I stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation.
As with all countries, we regularly review the assistance we provide to ensure that it is having maximum effect on the ground.
Asked by: Cathy Jamieson (Labour (Co-op) - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department continues to take to support efforts to locate and secure the release of kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Swire
The Government has played a leading role in the international response to the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in northern Nigeria. My Rt Hon Friend, the Member for Witney (David Cameron MP), the Prime Minister has condemned this appalling act and we have increased our support in a number of ways to help Nigeria locate the girls and tackle the threat posed by Boko Haram.
In response to the Chibok abductions, My Rt Hon Friend, the Member for Witney (David Cameron MP), the Prime Minister announced on 14 May that the UK would provide surveillance assets and intelligence expertise to help in the search for the missing girls. The UK and its partners continue to work closely with Nigeria using our joint capability in the search for the Chibok girls. On 3 September, My Hon Friend, the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge MP), the Minister for Africa led the UK delegation at a ministerial meeting in Abuja on security in Nigeria. At this meeting he emphasised the importance of regional coordination between Nigeria and its neighbours to defeating Boko Haram and locating the girls.