Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Nigerian counterpart on recent terrorist violence in the north east of Nigeria.
Answered by James Duddridge
Terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, continue to cause immense suffering to local communities in North East Nigeria. I [the Minister for Africa] have condemned recent attacks, including the attack on civilians in Koshobe on 28 November. We are committed to helping Nigeria tackle the threat posed by these terrorist groups. We are providing a comprehensive package of humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to Nigeria to help tackle the threat and support affected communities.
In November 2020, Nick Dyer, the UK's Special Envoy on Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, met representatives of the Nigerian Government in Abuja and North East Nigeria to discuss the conflict and push for action on deteriorating food insecurity in the North East. In December 2020, the UK Deputy National Security Advisor discussed security in Nigeria, including terrorism, with the President's Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari. The British High Commissioner in Abuja also regularly raises the conflict at senior levels within the Nigerian Government.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect on human rights of recent violence in Kaduna State in Nigeria; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to tackle the conflict in that region.
Answered by James Duddridge
GROUPED WITH PQ 136037.
The UK Government condemns all incidents of violence in Kaduna State, including the recently reported abduction of civilians on the Birnin Gwari to Kaduna road. Such incidents constitute human rights abuses and impact on individual's rights to life, liberty and security. Our High Commissioner and her team visited Kaduna State in December 2020 to engage with the state government and police, civil society, faith and community leaders and communities affected by violence. The UK Government maintains a network of regional offices in Nigeria, including in Kaduna State. This network monitors human rights issues. We will continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting human rights for all.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
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 effect of recent abductions in the Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state on human rights in that region.
Answered by James Duddridge
GROUPED WITH PQ 136037.
The UK Government condemns all incidents of violence in Kaduna State, including the recently reported abduction of civilians on the Birnin Gwari to Kaduna road. Such incidents constitute human rights abuses and impact on individual's rights to life, liberty and security. Our High Commissioner and her team visited Kaduna State in December 2020 to engage with the state government and police, civil society, faith and community leaders and communities affected by violence. The UK Government maintains a network of regional offices in Nigeria, including in Kaduna State. This network monitors human rights issues. We will continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting human rights for all.