Every parliamentary written question tabled by Clive Lewis this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–10 of 10 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take steps to impose sanctions on the CEO of Israeli charity Shivat Zion, Shraga Evers, and the charity's official, Jonathan Vigné, in the context of support for British citizens in moving to illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The situation in the West Bank continues to be a priority for the UK. It is the UK's longstanding policy not to speculate on potential sanctions designations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her US counterpart on the 2025 UK USAID aid cuts.
The Foreign Secretary and her Ministerial colleagues engage regularly with US counterparts across the breadth of our shared interests and priorities. USAID funding is a matter for the US Government.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the exact figure is of ODA that will be spent on International Climate Finance.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it has conducted an impact assessment of the recent announcement to reduce its development budget to 0.3% of Gross National Income by 2027.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to respond to recent alleged reports of violence against ethnic Armenians by Azerbaijan.
We are not aware of any recent reports of alleged violence against ethnic Armenians by Azerbaijan. However, we are clear that peaceful negotiation is the only route to a lasting resolution of the longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we stand ready to support them to achieve this. I conveyed this sentiment in calls with the foreign ministers of both Armenia (on 11 October) and Azerbaijan (on 31 October).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the Government's policy is on (a) the right of return and (b) civil rights protections for ethnic Armenians displayed from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Government has encouraged the Azerbaijani authorities to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians displaced by conflict who wish to return to the region. We commend the efforts of the Armenian government, which has supported those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh to enable them to have a future in Armenia itself.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help uphold human rights in Bangladesh.
The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK Government's full support as it works to provide stability and promote human rights in Bangladesh. We encourage the work of the United Nations as it conducts an impartial and independent fact-finding mission to identify human rights violations. The UK Government is providing up to £27 million from March 2023 to February 2028 under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption and mitigating tensions that lead to violence.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help promote stability in Bangladesh.
The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK Government's full support as it works to provide stability and promote human rights in Bangladesh. We encourage the work of the United Nations as it conducts an impartial and independent fact-finding mission to identify human rights violations. The UK Government is providing up to £27 million from March 2023 to February 2028 under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption and mitigating tensions that lead to violence.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has issued recent guidance to businesses operating in internationally-disputed territories.
The Overseas Business Risk service provides information on various risks in overseas markets. UK government staff in country produce these guides with specific information provided per country. These can be found on: Overseas Business Risk - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect human rights defenders in Azerbaijan ahead of COP29.
Along with our international partners, the UK continues to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens; Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard. We remain concerned at the increased number of detentions of independent journalists, human rights defenders and civil society representatives over the last year. We are clear that freedom of expression is the foundation of an open, pluralistic society, and must be respected. British Embassy Baku regularly raises our concerns with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels, including ahead of COP29.