Tag: Baroness Tonge

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any of their projects in Cameroon, Nigeria or South Africa protect young girls from breast ironing.

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 reports that a 12-year-old Palestinian girl from Hebron, imprisoned in Israel, has been interrogated without the presence of her parents or an attorney.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not raised this specific incident with the Israeli government but understand from media reports that the girl involved has now been released. Israeli law grants all suspects the right to consult a lawyer but does not insist that a suspect is interrogated in the presence of a lawyer. Military law also does not allow for parents of minors held on security charges to be present during the interrogation. We have repeatedly urged the Israeli authorities to improve their handling of Palestinian children in custody and remain committed to working with Israel to address this issue.

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 regarding the ban on the import of cement into Gaza for the private sector since 3 April.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise the need to make progress towards a durable solution for Gaza, and press for practical steps to advance reconstruction and economic development with both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.

We are concerned about recent reports of diversion of cement entering Gaza through the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism. While we understand Israeli security concerns, new restrictions on the import of cement have resulted in a delay in reconstruction activity and will have a significant impact on employment. The Department for International Development’s support to the Material Monitoring Unit helps to identify such cases of diversion and ensure that appropriate action is taken.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the firing of tear gas canisters at journalists in front of Ofer Prison.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not raised this issue with the Government of Israel. However, the UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the Israeli Defence Forces police non-violent protests. We are clear that protection of the freedom of the media is an important part of respecting human rights.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the wounding with live fire of fishermen who were working within three nautical miles of Gaza, and the subsequent arrest of fishermen and confiscation of boats on 31 May.

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 2016-07-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning reports of Israeli troops shooting a Palestinian with Down’s Syndrome who posed no threat to those troops.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not made any representations to the Israeli authorities on this specific case, we have raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities in the past about the Israel Defence Forces’ use of live fire, urging robust and transparent investigations where appropriate.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they plan to make to the Palestinian Authority to encourage local elections in Gaza and the West Bank as soon as possible, and whether they plan to give the Palestinian Authority assurances that they will accept the result of such elections.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Our Consulate-General in Jerusalem has regularly discussed the local elections with senior Palestinian officials over the past months. We have made clear our support for genuine and democratic elections as a way of improving accountability. Following the postponement of the elections, we will continue to urge all sides to make efforts to hold these elections in accordance with the law.

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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Palestine’s economic prospects over the next five years.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

​The Palestinian economy continues to face a number of challenges, including the restrictions imposed by the occupation. The International Money Fund estimates that in the medium term growth is likely to be in the region of 2-3 per cent. If restrictions of the occupation were lifted, it is estimated that growth could be in the region of 7-9 per cent. We continue to support economic growth in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through the Palestinian Market Development Programme which assists companies to develop new products and enter new markets.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about oil and gas reserves off the coast of Gaza.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The gas fields off the coast of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories are a commercial matter. We remain in regular contact with British Gas, the Palestinian Authority and the government of Israel about the exploration of offshore oil and gas.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2015-11-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding the undercover raid by Israeli armed forces on a hospital in Hebron, resulting in the death of a relative of the suspect.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we are clear that medical staff should have the protection that allows them to do their jobs in safety. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv met Physicians for Human Rights on 9 November to discuss trends in human rights violations against medical staff. Since the start of the current violence we have spoken regularly to both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority on the urgent need to de-escalate the tensions.