Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has held discussions with the Afghan government on negotiating routes of safe passage out of that country for vulnerable Afghans.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We continue to work including with international partners to relocate British nationals and eligible Afghans through third countries. We also provide as much information as we can through our Travel Advice. We have supported over 3,700 individuals to leave Afghanistan since the end of Operation PITTING. This includes over 1,200 British nationals and eligible dependants. Safe passage continues to be a priority in our engagement on Afghanistan, including with Taliban representatives.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to introduce guidelines for future delegation selection criteria for all Conferences of Parties within the UN treaty system in response to UK delegations no longer being bound by an EU common position.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
There are numerous international Conferences of the Parties (COPs) organised on a range of issues (e.g. Biodiversity COP, Desertification, Chemical Weapons).
The UK's engagement with COPs depends on the specifics of each. The Government has no plans to introduce a set of guidelines for selection criteria for UK delegations. The UK's departure from the EU does not affect that view.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to make any changes to the process of selecting delegates to represent the UK at all Conferences of Parties within the UN treaty system.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
There are numerous international Conferences of the Parties (COPs) organised on a range of issues (e.g. Biodiversity COP, Desertification, Chemical Weapons). The UK's engagement with each depends on the specific of these and there is no single process for the selection of delegations. The Government does not plan to introduce one.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Cypriot counterpart on ensuring that UK nationals residing in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will still be able to readily cross the Green Line to (a) use facilities on the Greek Cypriot side of the island of Cyprus and (b) access Larnaca airport for travel after the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The Prime Minister has been consistently clear that safeguarding the rights of United Kingdom nationals living in the EU after Brexit is a priority. The Withdrawal Agreement has now received Royal Assent. Under the terms of this Agreement, United Kingdom nationals will be able to travel freely within the EU until the end of the transition period on 31 December. During this time there will be no change to the rules on travel to, from or within Cyprus for United Kingdom nationals, including motorists crossing the Green Line. On 16 January, I discussed arrangements beyond the end of 2020 with the Cypriot Minister of the Interior, building on discussions that the British High Commissioner in Cyprus has taken forward. On 24 January, the High Commissioner also wrote an open letter to the British community on the latest developments. We will keep United Kingdom nationals updated as we have more information.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information the Government holds on recent reports of ethnic cleansing in areas of Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Nigeria closely and are concerned by reports of recent clashes in Adamawa State. We do not assess that there is institutionalised persecution of any ethnic groups by the Nigerian authorities, but continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of transparent investigations of human rights violations, accountability at all levels, and the protection of civilians in conflict areas and in places of detention.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has made representations to the Government of Nigeria on the treatment of Biafrans living in the southern region of that country; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The British Government is concerned by recent reports of violence in South East Nigeria and supports efforts to reduce tensions in the region. During my visit to Nigeria in June I raised the issue of community tensions with the Governor of Kaduna. The Government welcomes statements by the Governors of the Northern States of Nigeria, and by Vice President Osinbajo, then Acting President, condemning threats against the Igbo people.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on self-determination for the Biafran people in the Eastern Region of Nigeria.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The UK fully supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria. We are committed to working with Nigeria to help tackle threats to national security and to address the underlying causes of instability which exist within Nigeria.
We echo President Buhari's calls for calm and reconciliation between the ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of confiscation of land (a) in Biafra and (b) owned by Biafrans by the Nigerian government.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK fully supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari’s commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians. We are committed to working with Nigeria to help tackle threats to Nigeria’s security and to address the underlying causes of instability which exist within Nigeria. We do not assess that there is institutionalised persecution of the Igbo or any other peoples by the Nigerian authorities.
We are not aware of any patterns of land confiscation in Nigeria by the Nigerian Government. Nigeria does face the challenge of inter-communal violence between farmers and herdsmen over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water. We are aware that the Nigerian legislature is currently debating a bill on grazing routes and reserves for Nigerian herdsmen. Part of that debate focuses on balancing the rights of land owners with the requirements of herder communities.
Through our development assistance the UK supports initiatives to reduce these conflicts and build bridges between communities. We will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, non-governmental organisations and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all the people of Nigeria.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has undertaken of the incidence of repression of Christians by the Nigerian government; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Duddridge
In Nigeria, the right to freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution. Boko Haram seeks to undermine this right by attacking Nigerians of all faiths who do not subscribe to its extremist views. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold information on the number of churches that have been destroyed in Nigeria, but it is clear that Boko Haram has caused immense suffering in both Christian and Muslim communities. We assess that the majority of their victims are Muslim.
We are providing a substantial package of intelligence, military, development and humanitarian support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, including training and advice on counter insurgency and £5 million of support to a regional military taskforce.
Nigeria also faces the challenge of inter-communal conflicts between farmers and herdsmen over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water. Through our development assistance, the UK supports initiatives to reduce these conflicts and build bridges between communities.
We will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, non-governmental organisations and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all in Nigeria.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of Christian churches that have been destroyed in Nigeria since 1990; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Duddridge
In Nigeria, the right to freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution. Boko Haram seeks to undermine this right by attacking Nigerians of all faiths who do not subscribe to its extremist views. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold information on the number of churches that have been destroyed in Nigeria, but it is clear that Boko Haram has caused immense suffering in both Christian and Muslim communities. We assess that the majority of their victims are Muslim.
We are providing a substantial package of intelligence, military, development and humanitarian support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, including training and advice on counter insurgency and £5 million of support to a regional military taskforce.
Nigeria also faces the challenge of inter-communal conflicts between farmers and herdsmen over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water. Through our development assistance, the UK supports initiatives to reduce these conflicts and build bridges between communities.
We will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, non-governmental organisations and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all in Nigeria.