Bishop of Gloucester asks about ICC judgement regarding Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 2nd September 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take in response to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued on 19 July regarding (1) Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and (2) its discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about foreign military intervention in Sudan

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 2nd September 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reported discovery of Emirati passports, allegedly linked to soldiers of the Rapid Support Forces, in battlefields in Sudan.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about UK communications with Azerbaijan regarding release of Armenian prisoners of war

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 2nd September 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Azerbaijan regarding the release of prisoners of war and civilians detained by Azerbaijan when taking control of Nagorno-Karabakh.

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King’s Speech Debate: Bishop of Winchester urges “faith literate” approach to foreign affairs

The Bishop of Winchester gave a speech on the topic of freedom of religion and belief during the King’s Speech debate on 25th July 2024, encouraging the government to take “a faith literate approach to foreign affairs”:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, I am grateful for the noble Baroness’s remarks at the start and am pleased that the Government have expressed a desire to reset the UK’s international relations. If the UK is to exercise the soft power that we undoubtedly might, not least through proper investment in the BBC World Service, it is vital that we are as fully engaged internationally as we can be. In that regard, I stress the vital importance of freedom of religion or belief—or FoRB for short, because it is a mouthful—in today’s world. It is a vital human right, and its increasing abuse is a growing global threat.

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King’s Speech Debates: Archbishop of Canterbury stresses importance of engaging with faith groups in international affairs

During the King’s Speech Debate on 25th July 2024, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave a speech on foreign affairs and international relations, emphasising the importance of engaging with faith groups:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I join noble Lords in congratulating the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, and the noble Baroness, Lady Anderson, on their appointments and on their party’s first King’s Speech. As a successor to the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, the noble Baroness has a very hard act to follow indeed, as I am sure the whole House will recognise. I also congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, on her remarkable meal, which, as I missed breakfast, may result in me leaving quickly to have lunch—but it will not be as good.

As others have indicated, we are living in unstable times. The Anglican Communion, in 165 countries, finds almost half our members facing conflict. Issues elsewhere in the world, however, do not confine themselves to affecting us in our international policy alone. We are recognised now by the United Nations as the most diverse nation on earth. That means that every single overseas conflict or disaster has a diaspora community here. To build a cohesive society here, domestic and foreign policy must work hand in glove.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about persecution against Baha’is in Iran

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Human Rights Watch report “The Boot on my Neck”: Iranian Authorities’ Crime of Persecution Against Baha’is in Iran, published on 1 April.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about ongoing conflict in Darfur

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd May 2o24:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what recent representations they have made to their counterparts in Sudan about ending the civil war and ethnic cleansing campaign in Darfur.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about eviction of indigenous people in Kenya

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 18 December 2023 (HL838), whether they have had any discussions with the government of Kenya regarding the eviction and destruction of property of the Ogiek people in the Mau forest of that country.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about health effects of climate change in Latin America

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the increasing level of hunger and disease in Latin America due to extreme climate conditions.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about government priorities for working with South Africa following election

On 21st May 2024, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham tabled a question to the foreign secretary on government priorities for working with South Africa following their forthcoming general election:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs what are his priorities for working with the government of South Africa after their forthcoming general election.

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