Tag: Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the statements made by representatives of the UN about breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen by the Saudi Arabia-led Coalition, and other parties to the fighting, have been reflected in risk assessments for licences for military aircraft, bombs and other equipment issued for sales to Saudi Arabia since their operations began in Yemen in March.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are aware of reports of alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by the Saudi Arabian-led Coalition. We have received assurances from the Saudi Arabian authorities that they are complying with IHL and we continue to engage with them on those assurances. The Saudi Arabian authorities have their own internal procedures for investigations and we encourage them to be open and transparent in this. We have also raised our concerns with the Houthis on the importance of compliance with IHL and international human rights law.

The UK takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

The Ministry of Defence monitors the reports of alleged IHL violations which informs our overall assessment of IHL compliance in Yemen. We consider a range of evidence from Government sources, foreign governments, the media and international non-governmental organisations. We are also offering advice and training to Saudi Arabia to demonstrate best practice and to help ensure continued compliance with IHL.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-01-27.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the 2015 Global Hunger Index, in particular regarding the connection between conflict and hunger in the Central African Republic and Chad.

Baroness Verma

The Department for International Development regularly tracks a range of nutrition and hunger assessments to assess the situation in Africa, including the Global Hunger index, and we are concerned by the situation in Chad, where over 3 million people are food insecure, and in Central African Republic, where over 2.5 million people are food insecure. Food insecurity has been significantly exacerbated by conflict in Central African Republic and around Lake Chad, which has caused the destruction of harvests, forced displacement, and the blockage of trade routes. This year DFID has spent £7m on humanitarian assistance in Chad, with a focus on preventing and treating malnutrition and supporting displaced people, and £18m on humanitarian assistance in the Central African Republic, with a focus on providing essential healthcare, livelihoods assistance and emergency support to the most vulnerable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-03-07.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have raised the treatment of political prisoners with the government of the United Arab Emirates.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Our relationship with the United Arab Emirates allows us to discuss a range of important issues, including human rights. If we have concerns regarding arrests, convictions or sentencing we make these clear to Emirati authorities as part of our broader strategic engagement.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-04-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the sexual violence, harassment, threats and other forms of abuse against Sudanese women’s rights defenders; and what assessment they have made of what more could be done to end the range of abuses experienced including sexual violence.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

All instances of sexual violence, harassment or abuse against women are deeply concerning, but the recent Human Rights Watch report sets out a number of disturbing instances of harassment and abuse of female human rights defenders. The UK will continue to press the Government of Sudan to take action on sexual and gender-based violence. We are also funding a number of projects, including training for lawyers taking on court cases relating to public order laws and legal redress to victims of sexual violence. We assess that the Government of Sudan needs to take action on a number of fronts to end such abuses, including further revising the Criminal Act and other laws pertinent to the prosecution of sexual offences.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-05-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of Eritreans who challenged an initial asylum refusal won their appeal in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, and (3) 2015.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

In answer to Questions HL329 and HL331, I refer the noble Lady to my answer on 04/05/2016 for Question HL8090.

In answer to Question HL330, I refer the noble Lady to my answer on 04/05/2016 for Question HL8089.

In answer to Question HL332 and HL333, I refer the noble Lady to my answer on 11/05/2016 for Questions HL8091 and HL9092.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-09-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to press the government of Burma to ensure that the Burmese army ceases attacks in Kachin State and engages in a genuine process of political dialogue.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are concerned by reports of ongoing offensives in Kachin State. There is a risk these operations could destabilise the peace process. The Kachin participated in State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent peace initiative – the Union Peace Conference, 21st Century Panglong – which we welcome. The best prospect for peace in Kachin is for the follow-up to the Panglong conference to be successful. We will continue to support this.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have suspended or revoked any extant arms licences to Saudi Arabia, or refused any new requests for licences for bombs, missiles, or other military arms and equipment, in the light of repeated UN statements regarding breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.

Lord Maude of Horsham

Since 2014 there have been no suspensions, no revocations and no refusals for licences for bombs, missiles, or other military arms and equipment”.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-01-27.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent reports by the OECD that the least developed countries received a smaller share of aid in 2014 than at any time in the last 10 years.

Baroness Verma

The least developed countries (LDCs) received a smaller share of total Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2014 than in eight of the previous ten years. It is important to note that the overall ODA figure includes contributions that cannot be attributed to a specific benefitting country (e.g. core contributions to multilateral organisations) even though LDCs will have benefitted.

The UK played a leading role in securing a Development Assistance Committee commitment to reverse the declining trend of ODA to the poorest countries and for this commitment to be referenced in the June 2015 G7 Leaders’ Summit communique.

The UK’s ODA is focused on countries in most need. The Department for International Development uses a range of criteria to inform how aid is allocated across countries, including current and projected future poverty levels, the country’s ability to self-finance its own development needs and the likely effectiveness of UK aid.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-03-07.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Women’s League of Burma’s call for the National League for Democracy to focus on bringing peace to the ethnic states.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The National League for Democracy, which is due to lead the incoming Government in Burma, made the peace process and political dialogue its primary manifesto pledge. The peace process is also a priority for the UK. We are providing £19 million over five years to the Peace Support Fund and, with a £5 million contribution, the UK is also the largest donor and currently chair of the multinational Joint Peace Fund. We stand ready to provide further assistance to the incoming government as requested.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-04-13.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the UN and AU rapporteurs on human rights defenders about doing more to ensure that women activists in Sudan are protected, and addressing repression and abuse of such activists.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have consistently raised the need to protect human rights defenders at the UN Human Rights Council, most recently in March 2016. In addition, we are also providing project support in Sudan. This includes efforts to help journalists draw attention to social justice issues, including gender-based violence, and events to help inspire young women to become women’s rights activists.