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Written Question
Nigeria: Christianity
Wednesday 18th October 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the safety of Christians in Nigeria from persecution.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

Rising insecurity has impeded on the rights of people of all faiths in Nigeria. The UK supports Nigeria to deliver on its constitutional commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) through our development programming and security cooperation. We have funded peacebuilding projects to build dialogue between religious groups and, in April 2023, launched the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme to help Nigeria tackle the causes of intercommunal conflict. Through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we provide training to the Nigerian police and military on tackling terrorism and serious crime.


Written Question
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Monday 16th October 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

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 potential merits of (a) his Department and (b) the Commonwealth of Nations mediating in the conflict in Sudan.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The UK is playing a significant role in diplomatic efforts for peace in Sudan. We are working with a range of partners, including counterparts from Quad (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, US), African and European countries, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU) and the UN, to get the warring parties back to the negotiating table and end hostilities in Sudan. The UK continues to advocate for a return to a civilian-led government and the need for a coordinated and urgent response to resolve the crisis in Sudan, which the international community can get behind. It is essential that Sudan's civilians - civil society, women, youth, Resistance Committees - are represented in negotiations about their country's future, and their voices listened to.


Written Question
Rached Ghannouchi
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

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 implications for his policies of the arrest of Rached Ghannouchi in Tunisia.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

On 18 April, the Minister of State for North Africa, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon made clear the UK's view that the recent wave of arrests, including of Rached Ghannouchi, and restrictions on political opposition in Tunisia are eroding the space for plurality, urging the Tunisian Government to respect the principles and values of an open and democratic society. The Minister also raised our issues over the recent arrests directly with Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February, as did His Majesty's Ambassador to Tunisia with Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar on 23 February. The UK believes in the importance of space for legitimate political opposition, civil society, strengthening human rights and including all voices in building resilient and successful democracies. We continue to monitor the political and human rights situation in Tunisia closely.


Written Question
Ukraine: Military Law
Monday 24th April 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department provides to British companies seeking to repatriate monetary assets held in Ukraine under martial law.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

British Embassy Kyiv officials have spoken with a number of businesses affected by this issue and raised their concerns with the Government of Ukraine.


Written Question
Tunisia: Politics and Government
Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held discussions with his counterpart in Tunisia on the political freedoms and arrest of Rached el-Ghannouchi.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Lord [Tariq] Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for North Africa, raised the UK's issues with the recent wave of arrests directly with Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February, underlining the importance of due legal process and respect for freedom of expression and association. His Majesty's Ambassador to Tunisia also raised UK issues with the arrests with Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar on 23 February. Officials and Ministers have regular discussions with the Tunisian authorities to reiterate the UK's belief in the importance of space for legitimate political opposition, civil society, strengthening human rights and including all voices in building resilient and successful democracies.


Written Question
Tunisia: Politics and Government
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the (a) political and (b) human rights situation for people in the (i) opposition and (ii) media in Tunisia on UK-Tunisia relations.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We monitor the political and human rights situation in Tunisia closely. The UK has made our views clear, calling for space for legitimate political opposition, civil society and independent media in light of recent developments including most recently during the meeting of Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for North Africa, with the Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February. The UK is a constructive partner to Tunisia, and we will continue to raise these important issues with the Tunisian authorities at every available opportunity.


Written Question
Tunisia: Democracy and Human Rights
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

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 international counterparts on supporting (a) human rights and (b) democratic values in Tunisia.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK believes that democratic institutions and accountable governments are the foundations on which open, stable and prosperous societies thrive. We meet regularly with international partners to discuss the political and economic situation in Tunisia. G7 Ambassadors in Tunis have made several joint statements since July 2021, emphasising that democratic values remain central to our ongoing relationships, as well as stating the importance of respect for all Tunisians' fundamental freedoms, and inclusive and transparent engagement with all stakeholders, including diverse political and civil society voices. Together with our partners, we stand ready to support Tunisia and its people.


Written Question
Tunisia: Civil Liberties
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the legal rights of those who have been arrested in Tunisia are respected.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK closely monitors the political and judicial situation in Tunisia. We regularly raise respect for human rights and due legal process with the Tunisian Government, including at the highest levels. Minister of State for North Africa, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, publicly commented on the recent arrests on 16 February. He also raised the UK's concerns directly with Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February, underlining the importance of due legal process and respect for freedom of expression and association. We will continue engage the Tunisian authorities on these issues.


Written Question
Tunisia: Democracy and Human Rights
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to help support democratic values and human rights in Tunisia.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has been clear on the importance of effective, legitimate political opposition, separation of powers, human rights and fundamental freedoms, civil society, and independent media in Tunisia. Lord [Tariq] Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for North Africa, raised democratic values and human rights with the Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February. His Majesty's Ambassador to Tunisia also raised UK concerns with Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar on 23 February. As a constructive partner to Tunisia, we will continue to engage the Tunisian Government on these important issues.


Written Question
Tunisia: Elections
Wednesday 1st February 2023

Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of the legislative elections held in Tunisia on 17 December 2022.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK believes that democratic institutions and accountable governments are the foundations on which open, stable and prosperous societies thrive. Following the second round of elections, it will be important for the Tunisian authorities and the new parliament, when it is established, to work together in an inclusive way to reassure Tunisians that key economic challenges are being addressed.