conflict – Page 10 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of St Albans asks about investigating allegations of war crimes in Ukraine

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 4th April 2022:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to work with international partners to investigate allegations of war crimes following the massacre in Bucha, Ukraine, by Russian Armed Forces.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): My Lords, we were all horrified, as we are now, by seeing evidence of appalling acts by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. Russia’s alleged indiscriminate attacks against civilians during this illegal invasion must be investigated as war crimes. We will fully support any investigations by the International Criminal Court, and we will not rest until those responsible for these atrocities have faced justice. The international community must continue to provide Ukraine with humanitarian and military support while stepping up sanctions to cut off funding for Mr Putin’s war machine.

Archbishop of York speaks about Russian invasion of Ukraine and urges prayer for peace

On 25th February 2022, the Archbishop of York made a speech in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, urging prayers for peace and swift action to support peacemaking:

The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, noble Lords may have seen that my most reverend friend the Archbishop of Canterbury and I have already spoken about the unprovoked attack on Ukraine as a great act of evil. This is indeed a dark hour for Europe. We have called on Anglican churches to make this coming Sunday a day of prayer for peace and on Tuesday encourage parishes to join the Anglican diocese in Europe in prayer at 6 pm, especially for those who minister and witness for peace in Ukraine itself, where we have chaplaincies and minister alongside other denominations and faith communities. We are all invited to join Pope Francis in making Ash Wednesday—next Wednesday—a day of fasting and prayer for peace.

Perhaps in the West we have taken peace for granted. The horrors being visited on Ukraine must be a wake-up call for us that peace is something you need to work at. What is happening in Ukraine is truly shocking but, sadly, it is not surprising. We have seen it coming. Ukraine now stands alone, unprotected by the treaties that protect us and allow us to believe that peace is a normal state of affairs—but it is not. Peace is a choice, a decision that we make each day about the way we live and about our responsibilities to and with our neighbour, be that in our family, in our community or between the nations of the world. We need the policies, the wisdom, the tenacity and the international resolve that will deliver it.

Bishop of Coventry echoes calls for peace following Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Bishop of Coventry echoed calls from the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury to pray for peace, and highlighted the need to coordinate in support of refugees, following a government statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, while weapons of war reduce people and property to ash, will the Leader join me in commending the Pope on calling for a day of prayer and fasting for peace next Wednesday, which is Ash Wednesday, and in commending the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury on calling us all to join in that world movement of prayer and calling all churches of this land to set aside Sunday as a day of prayer for peace? Also, would she care to expand on her answer to the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, on the humanitarian response, especially in terms of how we are co-ordinating our response with European partners to the predicted refugee crisis? The Leader may be glad to know that Coventry City Council has assured me that it stands ready to do its part should that be needed, as it has been in the past.

Bishop of Leeds asks about conflict in Kazakhstan

On 11th January 2022, The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on the impact of violence in Kazakhstan on the wider region around the country:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, have Her Majesty’s Government made any assessment of the impact of this instability on the wider region, particularly given Kazakhstan’s proximity to China, its very strong cultural relationships with Turkey, and its importance for the stability of the southern republics and those nations that lie below it?

Bishop of St Albans asks about ongoing conflict in Ethiopia

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 29th November 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con): We are extremely concerned by the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia. The Minister for Africa spoke at a Westminster Hall Debate on 3 November. She stated that there is no military solution and the UK has been clear on this from the start. We have consistently called on all warring parties to end hostilities and seek a political dialogue and peaceful solution.

Bishop of St Albans asks about conflict in Armenia and Azerbaijan

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 25th November 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan regarding that government’s reported occupation of Armenian territory.

Bishop of Coventry asks about conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan

The Bishop of Coventry received the following written answers on 16th November 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the OSCE Minsk Group regarding the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the (1) Syunik, and (2) Gegharkunik, provinces.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con, FCDO): The UK Government is closely monitoring the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Through the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and bilateral engagement in Baku and Yerevan, UK officials continue to urge the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities to settle all outstanding matters including the peaceful negotiation of their borders. Although not a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, the UK continues to support its work to facilitate discussions on issues such as border tensions.

Bishop of Coventry asks about incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory

On 15th November 2021, Bishop of Coventry asked a question on UK government efforts to help ensure the integrity of Armenia’s borders following incursions by Azerbaijani troops:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, in June, I visited the border inclusion area of Syunik province, at an earlier stage than the noble Baroness, Lady Cox. In Khoznavar, the incursion had cut off the nearby village from its main water source, and access to grazing land had been denied, threatening the survival of this poverty-stricken village. Following my letters of 7 July to the Foreign Secretary and of 5 November to the Minister for Europe and Americas, what further steps are Her Majesty’s Government taking to challenge those illegal incursions, to ensure the integrity of Armenia’s borders and to press for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops according to the terms of the November 2020 ceasefire?

Archbishop of Canterbury urges that “morals, not numbers” guide UK refugee policy towards Afghans

During a meeting of the House of Lords on 18th August 2021 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following withdrawal of international troops and the Taliban entering Kabul, the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to the people of Afghanistan and urged that the government policy towards refugees be guided by morality rather than numbers:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I look forward especially to hearing noble and gallant Lords, diplomats and others with local knowledge of Afghanistan. We rightly remember the courage, suffering and sacrifice over the past 20 years and the courage being shown currently by our ambassador and service- people in Afghanistan, together with their colleagues, and reporters.

When we look back, I remember a cathedral full for the funeral of a soldier: family and many colleagues silent in dignity, some wounded, mourning their loss. The failure we face today is not military or diplomatic—they did all they could—it is political. Recovery and hope will come to Afghanistan with our supporting commitment to the neediest and most desperate. We have proven capacities in soft as well as hard power. We owe an absolute, lavishly generous moral covenant to all those who are at risk because they served with us in Afghanistan or took seriously our frequently professed commitment to its future, women and girls included.

Bishop of Worcester asks about conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia

The Bishop of Worcester received the following written answers on 13th July 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that soldiers from Eritrea are using food as a weapon of war in Tigray.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, Foreign Office): The Government is deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and combatants, including Eritrean armed forces, denying access to humanitarian agencies.

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