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Written Question
Sudan: Human Rights
Monday 11th March 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the report entitled Situation of human rights in the Sudan, published by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 22 February 2024; and what steps he plans to take to support accountability for the possible violations of international humanitarian law documented in that report.

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

The UK welcomes the recent report of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the situation in Sudan. This report adds to the mounting credible evidence of abuses taking place in Sudan, attributed to both warring parties. The UK is strongly committed to respect for human rights and accountability, including through the UN Security Council. In October 2023, the UK led efforts in the UN Human Rights Council to establish an international and independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM). That mission will ensure that credible allegations of human rights violations are investigated for future accountability efforts. The UK continues to support the essential work of the OHCHR and the International Criminal Court in investigating and documenting the mounting reports of abuses taking place across the country.


Written Question
Kenya: Armed Forces
Monday 11th March 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 31 January 2024 to Question 11037 on Kenya: Armed Forces, for what other matters £5.253 million in compensation was paid; and when was it paid.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

£5 million was paid in total on a limited liability basis in 2002 and 2003 in relation to two group actions (1,279 claimants) brought by Kenyan nationals who were injured or killed by coming into contact with unexploded ordnance allegedly left on three training ranges in the north of Kenya.

The remaining £253,000 was paid out in 24 claims between 2000 and 2024 for personal injury and included two unexploded ordnance claims unrelated to the group actions, an injury to a Kenyan national on a range and a mix of road traffic and vehicle damage claims.


Written Question
Chad: Foreign Relations
Thursday 7th March 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had with discussions with (a) authorities in Chad and (b) international counterparts on events at the party headquarters of the Chadian Socialist Party Without Borders on 28 February 2024.

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

The UK was appalled by the events which took place at the headquarters of the Chadian Socialist Party Without Borders in N'Djamena on 28 February. Our thoughts are with those injured and the friends and families of those killed. We are in touch with International Partners and the Chadian Authorities to urge an independent investigation into what happened. We want to see a Chad that is stable, more democratic and on a path towards long-term development. A pluralist, transparent and peaceful transition back to constitutional rule is vital for building a better future for Chad's people.


Written Question
Sudan: Humanitarian Situation
Thursday 7th March 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans (a) to attend the humanitarian conference on Sudan in Paris on 15 April 2024 and (b) for a representative from his Department to attend.

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

We are still considering HMG representation at this important event.


Written Question
Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had representatives of (a) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) MONUSCO, (c) the Southern African Development Community and (d) Rwanda on the (i) threat posed to the city of Goma by the M23 armed group, (ii) security of UK personnel and nationals in Goma and (iii) security of UN and other international personnel in Goma.

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

The UK is concerned by the further escalation of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its appalling humanitarian consequences. We regularly raise the threat posed by M23 and other armed groups with the governments of DRC and Rwanda. We urge all parties to deliver on their commitments, agreed through the Nairobi and Luanda regional peace processes. This includes the cessation of hostilities, respect for sovereignty and agreed withdrawal by armed groups, including M23. We remain alert to the evolving security situation in eastern DRC and the safety of British nationals and UK personnel remains the FCDO's top priority.


Written Question
Sudan: Internet and Telecommunications
Tuesday 27th February 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to support efforts to restore telecommunications and internet connectivity in Sudan; what assessment he has made of the potential additional atrocity risks associated with recent disruptions to telecommunications and internet connectivity in that country; and whether he is taking any steps to increase satellite monitoring of areas of that country where atrocity risks may be higher.

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

The UK strongly condemns the persistent blackouts occurring in Sudan and calls for an immediate resumption of telecommunications and internet connectivity. These cause immense harm by making it even more difficult for the world to see what is really happening in Sudan. They also exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, as millions of people rely on online payments for food and other essentials. Since the outbreak of conflict, we have enhanced our atrocity risk monitoring by funding open-source investigation experts to use satellite and social media to verify and preserve information relating to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.


Written Question
Darfur: Humanitarian Situation
Monday 19th February 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the humanitarian situation in Zamzam camp in the North Darfur state of Sudan.

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

The UK is providing £38 million in humanitarian aid to support vulnerable people in Sudan in 2023-2024. UK funded support is being delivered through the UN and other trusted partners, and through this, is providing nutrition, safe drinking water, medical care and shelter, as well as supporting protection services including for those affected by Gender Based Violence (GBV). In the next financial year 2024/2025, the UK bilateral ODA to Sudan will double to £89 million.


Written Question
Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
Wednesday 14th February 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria in connection with the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.

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

The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. We will continue to raise Mr Sharif-Aminu's case as he appeals his sentence. In April 2023, officials raised Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, and other blasphemy cases, with the Executive Secretary of Nigeria's National Human Rights Council. Most recently, in August 2023, the British High Commissioner handed over a letter from Fiona Bruce MP, the PM's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, on Yahaya Sharif-Aminu to the Kano State Governor and discussed the case with him. More broadly, we raise Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) and the rights of those accused of blasphemy with Nigeria bilaterally and in multilateral forums including at Nigeria's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in January.


Written Question
Senegal: Politics and Government
Wednesday 14th February 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will (a) take steps to support inclusive dialogue about democratic processes in Senegal in the context of the postponement of presidential elections and (b) make representations to the Government of Senegal on protecting human rights following that postponement.

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

The United Kingdom respects Senegal's tradition of democracy. On 6 February the FCDO released a statement expressing our concern about the postponement of the Presidential elections. We encourage Senegal to work peacefully towards a transparent, inclusive and credible election.


Written Question
Leasehold
Tuesday 13th February 2024

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent steps he has taken to support residents’ groups in addressing barriers to their exercise of the right to manage; and what steps he is taking to improve transparency to help residents’ groups understand barriers to their exercise of the right to manage.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, currently before the Commons, includes measures relating to the right to manage amongst other things.

The Leasehold Advisory Service offers free expert advice to leaseholders, and can support consumers in understanding the steps they need to take in exercising their right to manage.