1-17 of 17 results for subject:Commonwealth
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.244 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.004 seconds
- Search query
- subject:Commonwealth
- We searched for
- subject_t:Commonwealth OR subject_ses:9282
Answering member
X
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
More
Kinnock of Holyhead, Baroness (17)
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that Nigeria upholds the values of the Commonwealth.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that Nigeria upholds the values of the Commonwealth.
Asked by
Lord Sheikh
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 April 2010
As I said in the House on 30 March in response to the noble Baroness Cox of Queensbury, we condemn the recent violence near Jos (House of Lords, Official Report, 30 March 2010, col. 1287), which resulted in such terrible loss of life. I raised UK concerns with the then Foreign Minister Maduekwe on 20 January, and my honourable friend the Minister of State Ivan Lewis spoke to the Foreign Minister on 15 March. Our High Commission in Abuja remains in regular contact with the Nigerian Government at state and federal level on this issue. The situation on the ground has now stabilised, although a curfew remains in place in Jos between 2100 and 0600 hours.
The Department for International Development (DfID)’s representatives in Nigeria began discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on assistance to victims of conflict in Jos in mid-March 2010. Previously, DfID had provided £200,000 to ICRC for its overall work in Nigeria, which has helped to meet immediate needs. Decisions on any additional funding will be made on the basis of a needs assessment currently being carried out by the ICRC.
More broadly, our High Commission in Abuja and DfID will continue its programme of outreach and interfaith activity to promote dialogue between different communities to foster reconciliation and tolerance. We will also continue to press the Government of Nigeria on the importance of ensuring security for its citizens and protecting freedom of religion as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We encourage all Commonwealth states to uphold the values of the Commonwealth, as reiterated at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2009, with the issuing of the Trinidad and Tobago Affirmation on Commonwealth Values and Principles. We also maintain a close dialogue with Nigeria through the Commonwealth forum. For example during last year’s CHOGM I had productive discussions with Foreign Minister Maduekwe .
Subjects
Commonwealth; Nigeria
Date
7 April 2010
Reference
3219; 718 c439-40WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the government of Rwanda's progress towards achieving the principles in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration, with particular reference to the forthcoming Rwandan presidential election.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the government of Rwanda's progress towards achieving the principles in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration, with particular reference to the forthcoming Rwandan presidential election.
Asked by
Lord Chidgey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
15 March 2010
We welcomed Rwanda's accession to the Commonwealth, agreed unanimously at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago in November last year. Rwanda has made progress towards meeting the Commonwealth's core values, in the areas of democratic process; rule of law; good governance; protection of human rights and equality of opportunity; and economic policies aimed at improving the welfare of the public. While much remains to be done in all these areas, we are pleased that member states have embraced the opportunity to engage constructively with Rwanda as the 54th member of the Commonwealth. With particular reference to the forthcoming presidential election, scheduled for August this year, we feel that Rwanda has made good progress at institutionalising the democratic process. The UK works closely with the Rwandan National Election Commission (NEC), including to see fully implemented the recommendations made by the EU Election Observer Mission in 2007, as well as with regard to the practicalities of the forthcoming elections.
We also engage regularly, both bilaterally and with our EU partners, with the Rwandan Government to support political and media freedoms in Rwanda.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Elections; Politics and government; Rwanda
Date
15 March 2010
Reference
2712; 718 c141-2WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2 February (WA 30–1) stating that Rwanda's bid to join the Commonwealth had been discussed publicly, whether any of those discussions took place in either House of Parliament.
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2 February (WA 30–1) stating that Rwanda's bid to join the Commonwealth had been discussed publicly, whether any of those discussions took place in either House of Parliament.
Asked by
Lord Tebbit
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 March 2010
UK support for Rwanda's accession has been discussed in Parliament, including by former Foreign and Commonwealth Minister Meg Munn on 20 March 2008. My previous Answers to the noble Lord have stated that it is not the practice to ratify decisions taken unanimously by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in national parliaments, including that of the UK.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Membership; Parliamentary scrutiny; Rwanda
Date
4 March 2010
Reference
2101; 717 c387-8WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their decision to support the admission of Rwanda to the Commonwealth was debated in either House of Parliament.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their decision to support the admission of Rwanda to the Commonwealth was debated in either House of Parliament.
Asked by
Lord Tebbit
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 February 2010
I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave him on 2 February 2010 (Official Report, col. WA 31).
Subjects
Commonwealth; Membership; Parliamentary scrutiny; Rwanda
Date
9 February 2010
Reference
1868; 717 c122WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Brett on 12 January (WA 152), stating that it is not the practice to ratify decisions to admit new members to the Commonwealth, when the decision of Her Majesty's Government to support the admission of Rwanda to the...
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Brett on 12 January (WA 152), stating that it is not the practice to ratify decisions to admit new members to the Commonwealth, when the decision of Her Majesty's Government to support the admission of Rwanda to the...
Asked by
Lord Tebbit
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 February 2010
Further to the Answer I gave in the House of Lords on 2 December 2009, and the written responses I gave on 14 December (WA 175) and 11 January (WA 152), the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala saw a review of the membership criteria and the condition of a constitutional link was replaced by a close link to an existing Commonwealth member state. The UK has supported Rwanda's bid to join the Commonwealth from this time onwards. This matter has been discussed publicly since this time. It is not the practice to ratify such decisions made by the Commonwealth or member states in national parliaments—including that of the UK.
The decision on new applications to join is taken by all the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Commonwealth Heads of Government voted unanimously to allow Rwanda to join the organisation in Trinidad in November 2009.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Membership; Parliamentary scrutiny; Rwanda
Date
2 February 2010
Reference
1540; 717 c30-1WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they had at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Trinidad in November 2009 about the Commonwealth's human rights agenda in the light of the Ugandan anti-homosexuality Bill.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they had at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Trinidad in November 2009 about the Commonwealth's human rights agenda in the light of the Ugandan anti-homosexuality Bill.
Asked by
Lord Chidgey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 January 2010
The Commonwealth's human rights agenda was discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad in November 2009. During the meeting, leaders agreed to adopt the Trinidad and Tobago Affirmation on Commonwealth Values and Principles which reaffirmed the Commonwealth's commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and human rights covenants and instruments. The affirmation also commits the Commonwealth to strengthening its work in implementing human rights through support for Governments, state institutions and civil society organisations.
The UK remains deeply concerned about the proposed introduction of a Private Member's anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda. We used CHOGM as an opportunity to raise our concerns, including by the Prime Minister to President Museveni and I also raised it with the Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Homosexuality; Human rights; Discrimination; Uganda; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
20 January 2010
Reference
1231; 716 c272-3WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the law on succession to the Crown or proposals for changing that law have been discussed with other Commonwealth countries; and, if so, what was the outcome of such discussions.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the law on succession to the Crown or proposals for changing that law have been discussed with other Commonwealth countries; and, if so, what was the outcome of such discussions.
Asked by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 January 2010
I refer the noble Baroness to the reply given by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Justice to Lynne Featherstone, the honourable Member for Hornsey and Wood Green on 4 June 2009 (Official Report, col. 617W).
Subjects
Commonwealth; Law; Monarchy; Reform; Succession
Date
11 January 2010
Reference
645; 716 c125WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they decided that Rwanda should join the Commonwealth; and when that matter was debated or approved by either House of Parliament.
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they decided that Rwanda should join the Commonwealth; and when that matter was debated or approved by either House of Parliament.
Asked by
Lord Tebbit
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 December 2009
Rwanda first applied to join the Commonwealth in the mid-1990s, and was considered in the run-up to the 1997 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Edinburgh in 1997. At that stage, the UK supported the then criteria, which included the need for a constitutional link with an existing Commonwealth member. As such, Rwanda would not have been eligible to join.
The 2007 CHOGM in Kampala saw a review of the membership criteria and the condition of a constitutional link was replaced by a close link to an existing Commonwealth member state. The UK has supported Rwanda's bid to join the Commonwealth from this time onwards. This matter has been discussed publicly since time. However, it is not the practice to ratify such decisions made by the Commonwealth or member states in national parliaments—including that of the UK.
The decision on new applications to join is taken by all the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Commonwealth Heads of Government voted unanimously to allow Rwanda to join the organisation in Trinidad in November.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Membership; Parliamentary scrutiny; Rwanda
Date
14 December 2009
Reference
542; 715 c175WA
House
House of Lords
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Commonwealth's shared goals in democracy and development. Motion withdrawn.
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Commonwealth's shared goals in democracy and development. Motion withdrawn.
Lead member
Lord Sheikh
Answering member
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Debates
Legislation
Electoral Administration Act 2006
Subjects
Commonwealth; Corruption; Climate change; Developing countries; Cyprus; Democracy; Health services; Finance; Homosexuality; Education; Human rights; House of Lords; Eligibility; International assistance; HIV/AIDS; Politics and government; Peers; Republic of Ireland; Young people; Sri Lanka; Zimbabwe; Uganda; Rwanda; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; G20; Fiji
Date
10 December 2009
Reference
715 c1150-96
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
I can certainly confirm to my noble friend that the issue of air passenger duty was raised many times with all of us. We are all conscious—I am conscious—that this is a cause of concern. I am aware of what has happened to the banana industry, the sugar industry and the rum industry. Now there are threats to tourism, not just from air passenger duty but due to the economic situation across the world. I cite what the Prime Minister said at the meeting in Port of Spain, when he was asked a question. He said: ""The UK is keen to ensure that these measures are not discriminatory and have asked the Treasury to look urgently at the issue. Strong solidarity with Caribbean economies as they, too, weather the global downturn, is very important to us"."
I hope that those words are reassuring.
I can certainly confirm to my noble friend that the issue of air passenger duty was raised many times with all of us. We are all conscious—I am conscious—that this is a cause of concern. I am aware of what has happened to the banana industry, the sugar industry and the rum industry. Now there are threats to tourism, not just from air passenger duty but due to the economic situation across the world. I cite what the Prime Minister said at the meeting in Port of Spain, when he was asked a question. He said: ""The UK is keen to ensure that these measures are not discriminatory and have asked the Treasury to look urgently at the issue. Strong solidarity with Caribbean economies as they, too, weather the global downturn, is very important to us"."
I hope that those words are reassuring.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Howells of St Davids
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Was the tax on travel to the Caribbean discussed at the Heads of Government meeting? Will the Government think again, because it is an unfair burden? We have lost bananas, we have lost sugar et cetera, and now we are told that tourism is our only means. This will definitely put a ban on tourism and certainly will not help Caribbeans in this country who are trying to get there to see their relatives.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c740-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, those of us who follow issues relating to the Commonwealth were very well aware that this was being discussed. I am very surprised that the noble Lord seems to be unaware that this has been discussed for two years or more. It is not the practice to ratify such a decision made by the Commonwealth in national parliaments, whether that of the UK or of any other Commonwealth member.
My Lords, those of us who follow issues relating to the Commonwealth were very well aware that this was being discussed. I am very surprised that the noble Lord seems to be unaware that this has been discussed for two years or more. It is not the practice to ratify such a decision made by the Commonwealth in national parliaments, whether that of the UK or of any other Commonwealth member.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c740
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we should recognise, acknowledge and welcome the fact that there has been a rapprochement between Rwanda and the Government of the DRC. It is a very positive advance on what we have seen in the past. The noble Lord’s concerns would have been commendable in the past, but we have now seen some serious progress.
My Lords, we should recognise, acknowledge and welcome the fact that there has been a rapprochement between Rwanda and the Government of the DRC. It is a very positive advance on what we have seen in the past. The noble Lord’s concerns would have been commendable in the past, but we have now seen some serious progress.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Alton of Liverpool
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords—
My Lords, following the welcome decision of the Commonwealth to admit Rwanda to its membership, can the Minister tell us whether we are engaging with President Paul Kagame and Rwanda about Rwanda’s involvement in the continuing conflict within the eastern part of the Congo where, as she is well aware, millions of people have died over the past 15 years?
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c740
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad from 27 to 29 November, how they are building a constructive relationship between the United Kingdom and Caribbean Commonwealth countries.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad from 27 to 29 November, how they are building a constructive relationship between the United Kingdom and Caribbean Commonwealth countries.
Asked by
Baroness Scott of Needham Market
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
2 December 2009
Answered on
2 December 2009
My Lords, last week, Her Majesty the Queen made a state visit to Bermuda, the Bahamas and to Trinidad and Tobago. Her Majesty attended the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago. In Port of Spain, at the summit, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister met the Caribbean Heads of Government and emphasised strongly the value of the UK’s relationship with the Caribbean region and its people. Before attending the summit, I visited Jamaica and met Ministers and others.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c738
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
I thank the noble Baroness. I am aware and, indeed, acknowledge that some disquiet has been felt by the Caribbean Governments in particular. We are making every effort to address that. I have been engaging with the diaspora in the UK. I have had a round table with representatives of the Caribbean community and a UK-wide event with the diaspora. I have plans in hand to deal with issues such as trade and industry, the relationship with DfID and, I hope, with the border authority as well, so I am making a serious effort to address some of the concerns that have been raised.
The noble Baroness referred to visas. We believe that we get more efficiency and more flexibility, and that the system has more integrity, by delivering Jamaican visas from the United States. The visa system has to have quality and consistency and it was discussed with the Prime Minister at the meeting that I mentioned earlier.
I thank the noble Baroness. I am aware and, indeed, acknowledge that some disquiet has been felt by the Caribbean Governments in particular. We are making every effort to address that. I have been engaging with the diaspora in the UK. I have had a round table with representatives of the Caribbean community and a UK-wide event with the diaspora. I have plans in hand to deal with issues such as trade and industry, the relationship with DfID and, I hope, with the border authority as well, so I am making a serious effort to address some of the concerns that have been raised.
The noble Baroness referred to visas. We believe that we get more efficiency and more flexibility, and that the system has more integrity, by delivering Jamaican visas from the United States. The visa system has to have quality and consistency and it was discussed with the Prime Minister at the meeting that I mentioned earlier.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Scott of Needham Market
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Is the noble Baroness aware of the very widespread perception in Caribbean countries that the UK Government have much less commitment to the Commonwealth Caribbean than they previously had? Is she aware, for example, of the widespread anger among Jamaican parliamentarians that, if they wish to attend meetings in Brussels, they have to transit through the UK and are now required to have a visa simply to change planes?
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c738-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the decisions made by the Commonwealth are made by all Commonwealth members and not by the British Government, and that was the case with Rwanda’s application to join the Commonwealth and the agreement which the Commonwealth as a body gave to that position. It appears in the communiqué and there was a very firm belief, as has been in the case in the past—for example, with Mozambique—that it is a way of ensuring that you draw into the Commonwealth those countries that can benefit from the relationship that we have on human rights, democracy and other issues. I sensed a real consensus around the Commonwealth meeting of Ministers on the application and the success of Rwanda in joining.
My Lords, the decisions made by the Commonwealth are made by all Commonwealth members and not by the British Government, and that was the case with Rwanda’s application to join the Commonwealth and the agreement which the Commonwealth as a body gave to that position. It appears in the communiqué and there was a very firm belief, as has been in the case in the past—for example, with Mozambique—that it is a way of ensuring that you draw into the Commonwealth those countries that can benefit from the relationship that we have on human rights, democracy and other issues. I sensed a real consensus around the Commonwealth meeting of Ministers on the application and the success of Rwanda in joining.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Howell of Guildford
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister share my view that last week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was a successful and significant one and that the Commonwealth became much more outward-looking? I hope that it brings benefit to the Caribbean Commonwealth countries and to their own efforts through CARICOM, et cetera. Does she also note that the group in Trinidad decided to invite Rwanda into the Commonwealth? It is probably a good idea—particularly since I gather that they have taken up cricket in Rwanda—but was either House of Parliament consulted before it became the British Government’s policy to back that membership?
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c739
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
I thank the noble Lord. As he suggests, we are concerned about rising levels of crime throughout the region. We have invested a great deal in reducing drug trafficking and associated crimes, working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency and collaborating with the Governments in the region. During my visit, I went on board HMS "Iron Duke", a ship working in the Caribbean mostly on disaster issues, which has developed a very important and significant counternarcotics role in the region. The collaboration and co-operation are good, but we concede that there are huge concerns since we know that 30 per cent of the cocaine found on the streets of the United Kingdom is transhipped through the Caribbean.
I thank the noble Lord. As he suggests, we are concerned about rising levels of crime throughout the region. We have invested a great deal in reducing drug trafficking and associated crimes, working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency and collaborating with the Governments in the region. During my visit, I went on board HMS "Iron Duke", a ship working in the Caribbean mostly on disaster issues, which has developed a very important and significant counternarcotics role in the region. The collaboration and co-operation are good, but we concede that there are huge concerns since we know that 30 per cent of the cocaine found on the streets of the United Kingdom is transhipped through the Caribbean.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, has my noble friend assessed the co-operation that our Government are receiving from the Government of Jamaica and from other Caribbean Commonwealth countries on the efforts to interdict the illegal trade in drugs?
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c739-40
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, last week, Her Majesty the Queen made a state visit to Bermuda, the Bahamas and to Trinidad and Tobago. Her Majesty attended the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago. In Port of Spain, at the summit, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister met the Caribbean Heads of Government and emphasised strongly the value of the UK’s relationship with the Caribbean region and its people. Before attending the summit, I visited Jamaica and met Ministers and others.
My Lords, last week, Her Majesty the Queen made a state visit to Bermuda, the Bahamas and to Trinidad and Tobago. Her Majesty attended the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago. In Port of Spain, at the summit, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister met the Caribbean Heads of Government and emphasised strongly the value of the UK’s relationship with the Caribbean region and its people. Before attending the summit, I visited Jamaica and met Ministers and others.
Answered by
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Scott of Needham Market
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad from 27 to 29 November, how they are building a constructive relationship between the United Kingdom and Caribbean Commonwealth countries.
Subjects
Commonwealth; Foreign relations; Caribbean; Conferences; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Date
2 December 2009
Reference
715 c738
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords