Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What assessment he has made of progress on the peace process in Colombia.
Answered by Alan Duncan
I strongly condemn the ELN's terrorist attack in Bogota last week. Colombia has been steadfast in its rejection of violence for political ends. The 2016 historic peace deal has shown the way, the FARC is now a political party and last year's elections were the safest in decades. The UK continues to support the Colombian authorities as they seek to ensure sustainable peace for all Colombians. Last month I announced an extra £5 million from the Conflict Stability and Security Fund to support Colombia's efforts to secure lasting peace for all its citizens.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
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 accuracy of recent press reports on threats to members of the LGBT community in Tanzania.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We are concerned by reports in the media. As I tweeted on 2 November, language that invites violence against any community in society should be rejected. The British High Commission, alongside international partners, carried out a demarche on the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 November urging the Tanzanian authorities to respect human rights and protect all Tanzanian citizens from discrimination. We welcome the subsequent statement by the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs restating their protection of rights enshrined in their Constitution. We will continue to raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Tanzania and did so most recently at senior official level on 12 November with the Tanzanian High Commissioner to London.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations his Department has made to the Government of Tanzania on the level of the threat to (a) the LGBT community and (b) supporters of opposition parties in that country.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
I am concerned by reports of threats against the LGBT community in Tanzania. The British High Commission, alongside international partners, carried out a demarche on the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 November, urging the authorities to respect human rights and protect all citizens from discrimination. I welcome the Government of Tanzania's statement on 4 November making clear that such threats do not represent government policy, and that it will protect human rights as enshrined in the country's constitution. We must all reject language that invites violence against any group in society. The UK will also continue to raise the importance of wider political freedoms with the Government of Tanzania.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
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 effect of charges of sedition against former members of the Government of Tanzania on the democratic process in that country.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK remains concerned about the closing down of political space in Tanzania. Following the recent arrest and detention beyond the period allowed without charge of Zitto Kabwe, a prominent opposition leader, the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam raised the case with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 November, urging the Tanzanian authorities to follow due process. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Government of Tanzania.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which contracts awarded by his Department are operated by Capita.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We centrally hold eleven contracts with Capita. These include the fire alarm upgrade works, the Diplomatic Academy learning space design and several Learning and Development courses.