Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictMy Lords, we have raised our concerns about the increase in violence at the highest levels with the DRC and Rwanda. That includes messages sent by our Foreign Minister to the…08 Dec 2022HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictMy Lords, the DRC faces many challenges but is also an important partner. It is home to Africa’s largest expanse of tropical forest, including 60% of the Congo Basin. The UK…08 Dec 2022HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictMy Lords, the noble Baroness is absolutely right to identify corruption as a major problem in the DRC: it is estimated to cost the country some 10% of its annual GDP. Illicit…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomThe Government have reiterated their commitment to using primary legislation to introduce a statutory definition of SLAPP. It is not for me to determine which legislative vehicle…08 Dec 2022HANSARDDemocratic Republic of the Congo: ConflictAs ever, the noble Lord points to a really core issue. With the DRC providing around 70% of the global supply of cobalt, we have a particular interest in addressing urgently this…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomMy Lords, reports of the arbitrary arrest, detention and harassment, mainly of Iranian journalists and media workers and their families, are a huge concern to the UK. The…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomThe noble Lord is exactly right and what he says entirely echoes the view of the UK Government. It is outrageous that anyone, particularly journalists reporting on a foreign…08 Dec 2022HANSARDProtection of Media FreedomMy Lords, the right reverend Prelate mentions Russia and China, which are the source of much of the activity and agitation we have seen against a free press, both in those…08 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThere is no doubt that Nigeria is a deeply troubled country, for all the reasons we have talked about today. It has also been a big recipient of ODA. However, it is possible to…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThe FCDO base in Nigeria works frequently through religious organisations there, but also through civil society, on a wide range of issues, such as countering violence against…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThe noble Lord is of course right that leaders of all the great religions need to take every opportunity to condemn violence in the name of their religion. Obviously, religious…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThe case the noble Lord mentions is truly devastating and grotesque in so many respects. Of course, we continue to condemn Islamic State West Africa Province for that abduction…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThe noble Baroness is right to highlight the problems in north-east Nigeria, where extremist groups and the ongoing conflict are having a massive impact on communities. These…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaMy Lords, we refreshed our security and defence partnership with Nigeria in February this year. We committed to work together to respond to shared threats such as serious and…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThe figures are truly horrifying. Just last year, an estimated 1.3 million people were in need of services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in Borno, Adamawa and…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaThe noble Baroness is absolutely right: it is a grim picture, with atrocities being committed far too regularly. Of course, we continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNigeriaMy Lords, the UK Government believe that violence against any person because of their religion or belief is unacceptable. In Nigeria, attacks by terrorists and criminal gangs as…07 Dec 2022HANSARDWorld AIDS DayI echo the noble Baroness’s remarks in relation to the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, who has a long and distinguished record of championing this issue and is widely respected for…01 Dec 2022HANSARDWorld AIDS DayMy Lords, the UK is committed to working in partnership to deliver on the global AIDS strategy and end the epidemic of AIDS by the end of this decade. This is evidenced by our…01 Dec 2022HANSARDWorld AIDS DayMy Lords, the UK met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for the first time two years ago in 2020, meaning that 95% of HIV positive individuals were diagnosed, 99% of those people who…01 Dec 2022