Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 08 Jan 2019
Uganda: Democracy
"I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. Having seen that press coverage, I thought it right to ask what our legitimate interest is and to establish why our relationship is important and how Ugandan democracy impacts on that relationship. I hope to develop that argument as I progress through …..."Paul Williams - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 08 Jan 2019
Uganda: Democracy
"It is a terrible state of affairs. If we want development to be sustainable, that is much more likely to happen through a democratically elected Government and by building the institutions within a country. Some people are so desperate, however, that they still need aid, and we cannot trust their …..."Paul Williams - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 08 Jan 2019
Uganda: Democracy
"I thank the hon. Gentleman for making that point. I join him in paying real tribute to all the east African forces working in Somalia for the peacekeeping mission.
We need to know that the UK is not enabling the atrocities being committed within the country of Uganda by Ugandan …..."Paul Williams - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 11th September 2018
Asked by:
Paul Williams (Labour - Stockton South)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has been in contact with the UN Human Rights Offices in Gulu, northern Uganda, where 250 internally displaced people are camped; and if he will make representations to the Ugandan Government on behalf of those people.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
- Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We are in regular contact with United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR) representatives in Uganda. Those that were camped at the UN OHCHR office in Gulu departed on 16 August and returned to their community.
Written Question
Tuesday 11th September 2018
Asked by:
Paul Williams (Labour - Stockton South)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Uganda on behalf of the thousands of people of Apaa village in Amuru/Adjumani District who have been and are still being forcibly evicted from their land by the Ugandan Army, Police and Wildlife Authority who claim that they are inhabiting a game reserve.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
- Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
As part of our dialogue with the Government of Uganda on all aspects of democratic governance and human rights, we continue to stress the importance of resolving disputes fairly, peacefully and with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. I welcome the Government of Uganda’s 22 August announcement that a committee led by Prime Minister Rugunda, and involving representatives of the affected communities will be constituted to review the Government’s proposals to resolve the land disputes in Apaa.
Written Question
Friday 23rd March 2018
Asked by:
Paul Williams (Labour - Stockton South)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in the Government of Bangladesh on the disqualification of the leader of the opposition from participation in parliamentary elections in that country.
Answered by Mark Field
On 8 February 2018, Khaleda Zia, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was convicted of corruption charges relating to misappropriation of funds. She was sentenced to a five year prison term. It would not be appropriate for the Government to seek to interfere in the judicial processes of another country.
I remain concerned about the political unrest in Bangladesh and the absence of dialogue among Bangladesh's political parties. The UK is committed to supporting democracy in Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Ali during his visit to Bangladesh from 9 to 10 February. In public and in private he stressed the importance of free and fair elections and affording political space to the opposition. The UK, together with international partners, will continue to encourage a peaceful way forward, and dialogue, between political parties in Bangladesh.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Mar 2018
UK-EU: International Development
"I beg to move,
That this House has considered the UK’s future relationship with the EU on international development.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hanson. I thank the Minister for being here to respond to the debate, and hon. Members from across the House who …..."Paul Williams - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Mar 2018
UK-EU: International Development
"I did not choose to talk about corruption, but my hon. Friend raises an important point. To ensure that our aid is spent effectively, and, perhaps more importantly, to maintain public confidence in the fact that we give 0.7% of national income to official development assistance, we have to work …..."Paul Williams - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Mar 2018
UK-EU: International Development
"I hope the Minister will tell us how we will continue to have influence and form partnerships that are in our interest. By working together on the ground, we can ensure that our aid spend is doubly effective...."Paul Williams - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Mar 2018
UK-EU: International Development
"I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising that issue. Together with our EU partners, we are the world’s largest donor, but if we are alone we will fall down the pecking order. At least some of our influence comes from working with EU partners, but I concede that our …..."Paul Williams - View Speech
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