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Written Question
Sri Lanka: Drinking Water
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help all people in northern Sri Lanka to have access to clean drinking water; and if he will make representations to his Sri Lankan counterpart on an independent investigation of the area around the Chunnakam power plant complex.

Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government is aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and quality, and the unique challenges faced by communities in the Northern Province. A number of public bodies in Sri Lanka, including the national water supply and drainage board, have conducted tests into the water quality. The Chunnakam Power plant has offered compensation to those affected by water pollution. The UK Government supports the International Water Management Institute, an international water management research organisation, solutions to increasing water scarcity in Puttalam and Kilinochchi. Officials from the British High Commission Colombo regularly visit the Northern Province, meet with a range of stakeholders, and hear their experiences and concerns.


Written Question
Afghanistan: Females
Monday 30th January 2023

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with women-led organisations in Afghanistan on those groups' involvement in addressing the Taliban government's ban on female aid workers in that country.

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

The ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) represents a further violation of the rights and freedoms of Afghan women. FCDO officials and ministers regularly engage with women-led organisations in Afghanistan, including local and international NGOs and UN Women. On 19 January the Minister of State for South Asia chaired a meeting with Afghan women including representatives from women-led organisations based in Afghanistan, which discussed the impact of the ban and how best to respond. The Prime Minister's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan chairs regular meetings with NGO partners based in Afghanistan, most recently on 25 January.


Written Question
Afghanistan: Females
Monday 30th January 2023

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the UK Government is taking to support Afghan civil society in delivering (a) humanitarian and (b) development assistance to vulnerable women and girls in that country.

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

Since April 2021, the Government has disbursed £514 million in aid for Afghanistan. We contribute to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund which includes a $20 million programme of support to Afghan civil society. The Government has committed to at least 50 per cent of our aid in Afghanistan reaching women and girls. We fund programmes that target women and girls, aimed at tackling gender-based violence and providing health and sexual reproductive health services. We continue to press the Taliban to reverse their ban on female aid workers as Afghan women are critical in providing life-saving support to women and girls.


Written Question
Afghanistan: Females
Monday 30th January 2023

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

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 with NGOs to support programmes in Afghanistan affected by the Taliban government's ban on female aid workers in that country.

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

The ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) represents a further violation of the rights and freedoms of Afghan women. The Government is working with the UN, NGOs and other donor governments to understand the impact of the ban, pursue a coordinated response and ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance continues where possible. Where NGO partners have had to suspend activity, either partially or fully, the UK is continuing to cover staff salaries and other critical associated operational costs. The Government continues to press the Taliban to reverse their decision.


Written Question
Sri Lanka: Sanctions
Tuesday 25th January 2022

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the sanctions imposed by the US on General Shavendra Silva of the Sri Lankan army.

Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

We regularly engage with the US and other partners on issues relating to Sri Lanka. The UK government keeps all evidence and potential designations under the UK Global Human Rights sanctions regime under close review, guided by the objectives of the sanctions regime. We would not normally speculate about future sanctions targets, as to do so could reduce their impact.


Written Question
Hong Kong: Human Rights
Monday 2nd November 2020

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what advice his Department has provided to businesses based in London on ensuring that their businesses do not support the abuse of human rights in Hong Kong under the provisions of the National Security Law imposed on that formerly autonomous city by the Chinese Communist Party.

Answered by Nigel Adams

We are in close contact with a wide range of businesses with interests in Hong Kong, but it is for businesses themselves to make their own judgement calls. We would always advise businesses to conduct appropriate due diligence to satisfy themselves that their activities do not support, or risk being seen to be supporting, any human rights violations or abuses.


Written Question
Hong Kong: National Security
Friday 23rd October 2020

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

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 representatives of (a) HSBC and (b) Standard Chartered since their statements on their support for China’s national security legislation for Hong Kong.

Answered by Nigel Adams

We are in close contact with a wide range of businesses in Hong Kong, but it is for businesses themselves to make their own judgement calls.


Written Question
China: Uighurs
Thursday 24th September 2020

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support he plans to provide to the independent tribunal on China's alleged genocide against Muslim Uighur population established by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC.

Answered by Nigel Adams

We have serious concerns about gross violations of human rights occurring in Xinjiang and welcome any work that is rigorous, balanced and raises awareness of the situation faced by Uyghurs and other minorities in China. We are aware of this initiative by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, and will study any resulting report carefully.


Written Question
Sri Lanka: Buddhism
Wednesday 1st May 2019

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the level of impunity for Buddhist nationalism in Sri Lanka.

Answered by Mark Field

​The UK regularly raises human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan government, including the importance of religious tolerance and protecting the rights of all its citizens to practice their faith. We are aware of reports of Buddhist extremism and our High Commission in Colombo regularly meets with faith groups to understand this.


Written Question
Sri Lanka: Religious Freedom
Wednesday 1st May 2019

Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help promote the right to freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka.

Answered by Mark Field

The UK is committed to supporting government and civil society efforts to improve human rights, including freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka. We fund a range of projects in support of this through £8.3 million of Conflict, Stability and Security Fund funding. This includes projects that promote interfaith dialogue and increase awareness; encourage greater public debate and advocacy on issues concerning Freedom of Religion or Belief in Sri Lanka; and that counter youth radicalisation in areas prone to inter-religious conflict. Tackling inter-communal tensions will continue to remain among our priorities this year.