Tag: foreign affairs

Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about refugee and food crisis in South Sudan

On 19th July 2017 the Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty’s Government “what further action they are taking to address the ongoing refugee crisis and acute food emergency in East Africa.” The Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nick Holtham, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his responses. In the case of South Sudan, where conflict is the main cause of the crisis but it is also being further exacerbated by low rainfall, what is the UK doing in relation to internally displaced people? Perhaps I may also ask him to comment on the very different example of Burundi. Is this also an opportunity for him to say a bit more about how UK overseas aid is not a charity but is in our enlightened self-interest? Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about refugee and food crisis in South Sudan”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about criminalisation by Russia of worship by Jehovah’s Witnesses

On 19th July 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question about the Russian Supreme Court ruling on Jehovah’s Witnesses:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the decision by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to ban the Jehovah’s Witnesses on the grounds that the group is considered to be an extremist organisation. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about criminalisation by Russia of worship by Jehovah’s Witnesses”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about situation of Bahá’ís and religious minorities in Yemen

On 19th July 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question of Government about the situation facing Bahá’ís and other religious minorities in Yemen:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation facing Bahá’ís and other religious minorities in Yemen. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about situation of Bahá’ís and religious minorities in Yemen”

Archbishop asks Government to press Saudi Arabia to stop executions

O17.06.22 ABCLords2n 18th July 2017, Lord Dholakia asked Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of Saudi Arabia about the imminent execution of fourteen people, including two juveniles. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Revd. Justin Welby, asked a follow-up question. Below is his question and its ministerial response.

The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, as the noble Lord said a few moments ago, we have heard some very balanced and judicious answers, with considerable condemnation and very clear statements. However, surely the depth of our relationship with Saudi Arabia in trade and finance, and the presence of many Saudi Arabians in this country—the long-standing way in which we have been together through war and peace—would indicate that we have the options for significantly more leverage than mere condemnation. I wonder what other measures the Government are taking which involve action as well as condemnation, particularly over this question.

Continue reading “Archbishop asks Government to press Saudi Arabia to stop executions”

Archbishop asks Government about working with grassroots religious organisations for peace in Nigeria

archbishops-canterbury-240117On 18th July 2017, Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government “what their assessment of recent developments in the Northern and Central Belt States in Nigeria were”. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd Justin Welby, asked a follow-up question. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, does the Minister agree that there needs to be work both at grass roots and at the highest level? Many of the signs we are seeing in Nigeria at the moment—particularly the threats against the Igbo, which are happily diminishing—bring back to mind the terrible events immediately prior to the outbreak of war in 1967? What work are the British Government doing with partners locally, through their exceptionally gifted high commission and DfID staff, to work with grass-roots organisations, including religious organisations, which are capable of reaching the local leaders at the most vulnerable level? Continue reading “Archbishop asks Government about working with grassroots religious organisations for peace in Nigeria”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about violent extremism and blasphemy laws in Indonesia

On 18th July 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers from Government to questions about blasphemy laws and violent extremism in Indonesia.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist the government of Indonesia in strengthening Indonesia’s resilience to violent extremism. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about violent extremism and blasphemy laws in Indonesia”

Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion in Tajikistan following Haj pilgrimage age ban

Bp Coventry May 2015On the 18th July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question about freedom of religion in Tajikistan.

Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what assessment they have made of the government of Tajikistan’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief following the decision by the State Committee for Religious Affairs to ban anyone under the age of 40 from participating in the August Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. [HL430]

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion in Tajikistan following Haj pilgrimage age ban”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about peace efforts in Central African Republic

On 13th July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question about the Central African Republic:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the peace accord between the government of the Central African Republic and 13 armed groups, signed in Rome on 19 June. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about peace efforts in Central African Republic”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to raise the case of Asia Bibi with Pakistan

On 12th July 2017 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian detained in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the adjournment of Asia Bibi’s appeal, what representations, if any, they have made on her behalf to the government of Pakistan regarding reports that (1) there is a lack of information about when her appeal will be heard, and (2) that she is still being kept in solitary confinement. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to raise the case of Asia Bibi with Pakistan”

Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Turkey and confiscation of church property

SouthwarkOn 11th July 2017 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received written answers to three questions on Turkey; on religious freedom, confiscation of church properties and the Hagia Sophia.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what assessment they have made of recent reports that the Turkish Governor of Mardin has confiscated some 60 properties, including churches, monasteries and cemeteries. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Turkey and confiscation of church property”