Tag: Baroness Tonge

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-02-29.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take following the demolition by Israel of the only school in the Abu al-Nuwaar community near the town of al-Eizariya in the occupied West Bank.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Whilst we have not raised this particular demolition with the Israeli authorities, our position is clear: demolitions cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and are, in all but the most exceptional of cases, contrary to international humanitarian law. We regularly raise the issue of demolitions with our Israeli counterparts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-03-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what, if any, discussions they have had regarding breast ironing; and with whom.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The Government is concerned about the harmful practice of breast ironing in some Commonwealth and other African countries. Whilst there is little data on the number of girls suffering from this abuse, we have, for example, worked with the government and religious leaders in Cameroon on campaigns to raise awareness and to support community-led efforts to end breast ironing.

The Government condemns violence against women and girls in all its forms and places gender equality at the heart of our bilateral development programming. In Nigeria we are investing over £40 million to change harmful social norms towards women and girls, and to protect women and girls against violence. I raised these issues with the Government of Nigeria during my visit to the country in February. Baroness Verma, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for International Development (DfID), discussed gender-based violence in South Africa in October 2015, including DfID’s support to the re-establishment of South Africa’s Sexual Offences Courts and its work with the African Prosecutor’s Association on research into preventing violence against women.

The manifestations of violence against women and girls may change but it is critical to address the structural causes of violence, including harmful beliefs and attitudes. We shall continue to work through diplomatic and development channels to engage with governments and local communities in Africa and beyond, to support the rights of women and girls, including ending harmful practices which constitute violence.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-04-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the air strike on Gaza on the night of 12 March on a house killing two children.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not raised this specific issue with the Government of Israel, although we remain deeply concerned by the terrible human cost, to both sides, of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have consistently urged both sides to take all measures to prevent the loss of civilian life, and comply with international humanitarian law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-05-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the destruction by Israeli forces of the Bedouin village of Khirbet Taha in the northern West Bank district of Nablus.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities over demolitions and the treatment of the Bedouin community. We have supported Bedouin communities in Area C facing demolition or eviction through our support to Rabbis for Human Rights and the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-05-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take, in the light of the recent deaths caused by the electricity crisis in Gaza, to (1) initiate discussions with other EU member states to end import restrictions, (2) assess the humanitarian situation first-hand, and (3) put forward a plan of action to rehouse citizens of Gaza who are forced to move owing to pollution.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are concerned by the electricity shortage in Gaza and the serious impact it is having on the humanitarian situation. We, and the EU, regularly raise Gaza’s energy and the need to ease movement and access restrictions with the Israeli authorities. Our staff who visit and work in Gaza assess the humanitarian situation frequently. We have not put forward a plan rehouse citizens of Gaza who are forced to move owing to pollution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the midwifery workforce to train that workforce to counsel and to insert intrauterine contraceptive devices immediately post-partum.

Lord Prior of Brampton

The insertion of contraceptive intrauterine devices (IUDs) during the post-partum period of between ten minutes and 48 hours following childbirth is not supported by the Royal College of Midwives. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines do not recommend the insertion of post-partum IUDs before four weeks following childbirth.

This Government supports the current practice of providing contraceptive information and advice in the antenatal period to support an informed decision by women. When the chosen contraceptive is an IUD, this is normally offered at the six weeks postnatal check-up by a doctor, if the woman has fully recovered from childbirth. In light of this, the Government has no plans to increase and train the midwifery workforce to undertake the insertion of post-partum IUDs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-07-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reports of the confiscation and sinking of fishing boats by Israeli forces in the past three months.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Whilst we have not raised this specific issue with the Government of Israel, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have expressed our concern previously over the Israel Defence Forces’ use of live fire against fishermen and also about the confiscation of their boats.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-09-12.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding (1) night raids of Palestinian refugee camps in Area A of the West Bank, (2) the number of injuries to the youth in that camp as a result of those raids, and (3) reports that the Israeli commander responsible for the Dheisheh area threatened to disable the Palestinian youth living there.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not made specific representations to the Israeli authorities over these issues.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-10-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take following the interception of the Zaytouna-Oliva in international waters by Israel and its rerouting to the port of Ashdod.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have no plans to take any action over this issue. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Gaza including the waters off Gaza. We also advise British Nationals against participating in flotillas or overland convoys to Gaza because of the risks involved.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-10-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning the repatriation of Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities on this specific issue, we continue to be clear with both sides that there must be a just, fair and agreed settlement for refugees as part of a negotiated two-state solution.