Tag: conflict

Bishop of Leeds asks about conflict in Sudan

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on the government’s approach to the economic benefits to the warring parties in the conflict in Sudan on 28th April 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, there was much mention at the conference, given the statements that came out of it, of a rejection of external interference, but there were people there who are externally interfering, such as the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Although the focus on humanitarian access is absolutely right, there is also the problem of gold, and that the conflict is being fuelled by the economic element of ownership and extraction of gold. Do the Government have any plans to approach the economic benefits to the warring parties as a way of stopping the conflict?

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Bishop of Leeds, Bishop of St Albans, and Bishop of Winchester ask about conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Bishop of Leeds, the Bishop of St Albans, and the Bishop of Winchester received the following written answers on 12th April 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what military support they are providing to the government of Rwanda for (1) training, (2) technology, (3) tactics, and (4) weapons licensing, and whether they have reviewed these arrangements following the support by the government of Rwanda for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • what financial support, debt relief and development assistance they are providing to Rwanda, and what steps they will take to review these arrangements as a result of the support by the government of Rwanda for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Bishop of Leeds asks about attacks on religious communities and places of worship in Ukraine by Russian forces

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 12th April 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of reported attacks on religious communities and places of worship in Ukraine by Russian forces on freedom of religion or belief in that country.

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Bishop of Manchester asks about situation in the West Bank

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on the situation in the West Bank on 24th March 2025, following a government statement on the conflict in Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: I am very grateful for the Statement that was brought to this House today. From these Benches, I echo the comments that noble Lords have made about the fact that Hamas must have no part in any future government of the Palestinian territories or any future Palestinian state. Every time the situation in Gaza has become more warlike, under the fog of that war there have been atrocities committed in the West Bank. Some of the more extreme settler movements are trying to oust Palestinian farming families from territories that everybody accepts are theirs by right. What can His Majesty’s Government do to ensure that we do not lose sight of the West Bank at this time when, quite rightly, there is a proper focus on Gaza?

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Bishop of Southwark asks about release of prisoners in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 24th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan for the release of prisoners in Nagorno–Karabakh.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about durability of ceasefire in Gaza

On 18th March 2025, the Bishop of Gloucester tabled a question on the durability of the ceasefire in Gaza, condemning the recent airstrikes on Gaza and raising the possibility of targeted sanctions against the Israeli government:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the durability of the ceasefire in Gaza.

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Bishop of London urges investment in diplomacy and peacebuilding during debate on the war in Ukraine

The Bishop of London spoke in a debate on UK policy on the war in Ukraine on 17th March 2025, advocating for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and for investment in preventative diplomacy, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding by the UK:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, it is a privilege to follow the noble Lord, Lord Purvis.

As he points out, peace is not only the absence of war but the presence of justice and of the conditions for human flourishing. Therefore, what we need is a just and lasting peace. This peace must address the causes of the war and provide for Ukraine’s security, sovereignty and freedom. We must recognise that this peace needs to be negotiated by all parties and cannot be dictated by the US. We must recognise that any ceasefire will need to be maintained through a combination of mechanisms, such as troops on the ground and trained mediators who can deal with the contentious and central issues, such as access to resources and the repatriation of civilians.

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Bishop of Leeds asks about threat of Daesh in Iraq

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answers on 17th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq who are internally displaced because of the threat posed by Daesh.

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Bishop of Leeds and Bishop of St Albans ask about conflict in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo

The Bishop of St Albans and the Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 12th February 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what assessment they have made of the recent occupation of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the rebel group M23.
  • what discussions they have had with the government of Rwanda regarding their support for the rebel group M23 and the possibility of the group’s withdrawal from Goma and other territories it has occupied.
  • what steps they have taken to facilitate dialogue and to explore options for a political settlement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked what assessment they have made of the M23 rebel group taking control of Goma; and whether they intend to call on Rwanda to withdraw support to the M23 rebels and withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Bishop of Winchester asks about aid to internally displaced populations in Nigeria

The Bishop of Winchester received the following written answer on 12th February 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to ensure that aid distributed to displaced people in Nigeria reaches those displaced by violence in central states committed by armed non-state actors.

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