Tag: foreign affairs

Bishop of Worcester calls for end to demolition of Palestinian homes and land confiscation in West Bank and east Jerusalem

On 17th March 2016 Lord Hylton led a question for short debate, to ask Her Majesty’s Government “to what extent they will implement the recommendations of the House of Commons International Development Committee in their report of July 2014, The UK’s Development Work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge spoke in the debate:

worcesterThe Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I, too, am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, for securing this debate. As someone who wants to see the flourishing of both Israel and Palestine, I welcome this report, although I am saddened by the situation that has developed since its publication. In their response to the report, the Government affirm their support of a two-state solution. If that is to remain a possibility, we surely need to do all we can to persuade Israel to end the demolition of Palestinian homes and the confiscation of Palestinian land throughout the West Bank, including east Jerusalem. Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester calls for end to demolition of Palestinian homes and land confiscation in West Bank and east Jerusalem”

Bishop of Coventry leads Lords debate on political solution to war in Syria

On 8th March 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, led a short debate in the House of Lords “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the prospects for a political solution to the civil war in Syria.” The Bishop’s speech opening the debate is below, alongside the Minister’s response. All speeches made in the debate can be viewed here.

Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, today’s short debate enables us to return to the prospects of a political solution to Syria’s catastrophic civil war—a civil war which now represents the world’s greatest humanitarian disaster and most dangerous geopolitical hotspot. The timing of this debate could not be more critical because, thankfully, we are now seeing tentative steps towards a cessation of hostilities in Syria and fragile efforts to resume face-to-face negotiations. The coming days and weeks will be difficult but when set against five years of utter desolation and destruction, these signs of hope represent an opportunity that must not be missed. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry leads Lords debate on political solution to war in Syria”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsOn 2nd March the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received two written answers to questions of Government on the building of a separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following its decision to start building the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley, and in particular regarding building works on the privately owned land of Beir Onah in Beit Jala. [HL6278]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Daesh presence in Gaza and West Bank

On 2nd March 2016 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received an answer to a written question on Daesh in Gaza and the West Bank:

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsThe Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the presence of Daesh in Gaza and the West Bank. [HL6280]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government’s assessment is that there are groups and individuals in the West Bank and (primarily) in Gaza who sympathise with or self-identify as Daesh but are not formally affiliated with them. We remain concerned about a possible Daesh presence and continue to monitor the situation closely.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of Durham asks about plans to protect refugees from Burundi from radicalisation

14.06.10 Bishop of Durham 5On 11th February 2016 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, recieved a written answer to a question on Burundian refugees.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that those refugees from Burundi now living in camps in neighbouring countries do not become politicised and radicalised. [HL5831] Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about plans to protect refugees from Burundi from radicalisation”

Bishop of St Albans asks questions about forced and underage marriage

StAlbans171115On the 18th January, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, received written answers to questions about the incidence of forced and underage marriage in the UK and abroad.

 

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many cases the Forced Marriage Unit provided advice or support in (1) 2014, and (2) 2015. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks questions about forced and underage marriage”

Bishop of Portsmouth calls on UK Government to ratify Hague Convention for Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict

On 14th January 2016 the House of Lords debated a motion from Baroness Andrews “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their plan for ratifying the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict”. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Christopher Foster, spoke in the debate:

14.04.09 Portsmouth maiden speech 1The Lord Bishop of Portsmouth: My Lords, I add my thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews, for this debate and for the very important Question that she asks of the Government Front Bench. In June 2015, the Ministry of Defence answered a Written Question, as we have heard, on the timetable for ratifying the Hague convention. A Minister stated:

“The Government believes that protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict is a priority and remains committed to that task”.

She confirmed the,

“plan to introduce legislation to ratify the Convention”,

as we know,

“as soon as Parliamentary time allows”.

The Answer continued with a reassurance:

“Respect for cultural property is already upheld across the Armed Forces and they currently act within the spirit of the 1954 Convention. This respect is incorporated into military law”.

I wholeheartedly welcome that commitment and ask the Minister if she can recognise both the embarrassment of the present and lengthy delay in ratification, which successive Governments since 2008 have pledged to end, and the compelling practical, cultural and humanitarian reasons for speedy rectification of this inordinate delay. Continue reading “Bishop of Portsmouth calls on UK Government to ratify Hague Convention for Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about human rights in Eritrea

On 12th January 2016 Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead asked Her Majesty’s Government “what is their assessment of the recent UN Special Rapporteur’s report on the plight of unaccompanied minors who are refugees from Eritrea.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for highlighting what is causing the problem. The UN special rapporteur has identified in this report quite a number of reasons that are driving this terrible situation and, in particular, highlighted human rights issues. A number of people have been arrested, such as the politician Mr Ali Omaro, journalists and the G15 group. Can the Minister update us on the situation of those high-profile people who have been arrested and detained? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about human rights in Eritrea”

Bishop of St Albans raises detention of Chinese human rights lawyer

On 30th December 2015, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer to a written question concerning the detention of Chinese Human Rights lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang.

StAlbans171115The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the detention and trial of human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang in China. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans raises detention of Chinese human rights lawyer”

Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief in Iraq

On 16th December 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received written answers to questions on religious freedom in Iraq.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Iraq’s National Identity Law, and the impact that it will have on religious minorities in Iraq and their right to freedom of religion or belief.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned by Iraq’s proposed National Identity Law, in particular Article 26 which could restrict freedom of religion or belief, which is a basic human right. We welcome the resolution adopted by the majority of the Iraqi Council of Representatives on 17 November declaring its intention to amend the law. The National Identity Law is yet to be discussed since Parliament has been in recess. We will continue to monitor this issue closely. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief in Iraq”