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1,800 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesThe noble Lord makes a valid point. One of the reasons given for no access was the conflict and the troops, but now that we have a ceasefire, we can ensure that there is proper…10 Feb 2025HANSARDGovernment of Syria: Freedom of Expression, Religion and BeliefLet me focus on the thrust of the noble Baroness’s question. She is absolutely right that this should be Syrian-led, Syrian democracy; that is what we are focused on. We are…10 Feb 2025HANSARDGovernment of Syria: Freedom of Expression, Religion and BeliefMy noble friend makes a good point. We are concerned by increased tensions in northern Syria and the impact that this may have on civilians and stability in the region. Turkey has…10 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaWhat we need to do is constantly evaluate the situation. As I have mentioned twice already, we have a special envoy there—she was in Damascus last week—and we will continue to…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaThe right reverend Prelate raises an important point. Of course, the FCDO has consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaThe noble Earl is absolutely right. We are concerned about increased tensions, particularly in northern Syria, and the impact those may have on civilians and stability in the…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaMy noble friend is absolutely right, and I am grateful for her comment on my response to her Written Question. We continue to support those in need across Syria, where safe to do…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaThe noble Baroness is absolutely right. Support to women and girls continues to be at the heart of UK’s policy and programmes in Syria. UK support is through INGOs, Syrian civil…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaMy noble friend is absolutely right. I repeat that support for women and girls continues, and will continue, to be at the heart of our policy and programmes in Syria. But I…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaThe fact that HTS is a proscribed terrorist group does not prevent the United Kingdom engaging with the interim authorities in our efforts to help secure a political settlement.…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaThe noble Baroness is absolutely right. As I said to the noble Baroness, Lady Hodgson, we are supporting, through INGOs, Syrian civil society organisations and the UN, programmes…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSyriaMy Lords, at this critical but fragile moment for Syria, the United Kingdom is supporting a Syrian-owned political transition process, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and…06 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCMy noble friend is absolutely right in her latter comments. Since the conflict began in Sudan, 3.6 million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, including Chad, Egypt,…03 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCI thank the noble Lord for his comments. The Foreign Secretary’s Statement in the other place last week made it clear that we will be working with our allies, and this is the…03 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCMy Lords, I thank both noble Lords for their comments. I will focus first on the DRC, because the noble Lord, Lord Callanan, asked for an update. I decided that it would be better…03 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCI think that the noble Lord appreciates that the issues surrounding this conflict are clearly complex in terms of the history of eastern DRC. We should not forget the genocide…03 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCAs I have said, we have seen those reports from the mission and expressed serious concern about the exploitation of those minerals in the eastern DRC for the benefit of both M23…03 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCThe noble Lord is right. I met Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh last week and we talked about that hospital and the vital need to support it, and we continue to do so.…03 Feb 2025HANSARDSudan and Eastern DRCI hope I made it absolutely clear that we have communicated to the Government of Rwanda that it is totally unacceptable to invade a neighbouring country and to have forces present…03 Feb 2025HANSARDMiddle EastBuilding confidence and trust is not an easy thing to do over the long period of conflict that we have seen, and that is true of every area of conflict. We need to ensure that we…22 Jan 2025