Archbishop of Canterbury asks about conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan

The Archbishop of Canterbury received the following written answers on 18th November 2024:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan regarding the release of ethnic Armenians held in detention following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about World Food Programme in Somalia

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 18th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any shortfalls in the funding of the World Food Programme in Somalia, and of any impact of such shortfalls on the Programme’s ability to provide assistance to those who need it in that country.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about use of soft power in the media

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the use of soft power via media outlets such as the BBC on 14th November 2024, during a discussion on the effectiveness of the BBC World Service:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, there is a tension here between having an independent BBC, which we are all grateful for—indeed, that is part of its integrity—and it being part of our strategic soft power. Could the noble Baroness tell us a little bit more about the strategic approach His Majesty’s Government are taking to thinking about the key places we need to engage with, not least in countering the deliberate disinformation coming from China and Russia, which is fundamental to the future of our democracies?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about persecution of Christians in China and Iran, and forcible returns of Rohingya refugees by Bangladesh

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 14th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of warnings by US-based group International Christian Concern on 28 October that China’s pledge of support for Iran could intensify the persecution of Christians in both China and Iran.

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Bishop of Manchester asks about self determination for territories annexed by Indonesia

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on the future of self determination for West Papua and other nearby territories on 13th November 2o24, during a discussion of the Indonesian Government’s actions in West Papua:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, do His Majesty’s Government agree with the Pacific Conference of Churches that the future for West Papua, alongside Mā’ohi Nui, or French Polynesia, and Kanaky, or New Caledonia, lies in self-determination? If so, what conversations have His Majesty’s Government had with the Indonesian Government to put the case that they should give freedom to those territories they have invaded and annexed?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about calls to refer events in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 11th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of calls by Amnesty International on 24 October for the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about impact of funding challenges facing refugee camps in Chad on irregular migration in Europe

On 6th November 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact of funding challenges facing refugee camps in Chad on the levels of irregular migration in Europe.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about conflict in Myanmar

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 6th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Myanmar following the increase in civilian casualties in Rakhine following the launch of the Arakan Army counter-offensive in October 2023.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about steps to prevent escalation of the conflict in Sudan

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 6th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take in their capacity as penholder at the meeting of the UN Security Council in November to ensure regional actors are taking steps to prevent the escalation of the conflict in Sudan. [HL2082]

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Bishop of Winchester asks about the prioritisation of freedom of religion or belief in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

On 5th November 2024, the Bishop of Winchester received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on 18 October (HC8437), how many FCDO staff are dedicated to freedom of religion or belief and at what level of seniority.

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