Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Rosindell this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 421 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to encourage dialogue between North and South Korea.
Diplomacy and negotiations are the best way to secure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Republic of Korea is a valued partner with whom we routinely discuss these important issues.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of her policies concerning the reported murder of four Christians by Islamic State in Borno State on 11 November.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 85661 on 3 November 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85119 on Malta: Politics and Government, whether she plans to (a) review the sovereign status of the Sovereign Order of Malta and (b) establish formal diplomatic relations with that entity.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 4 November to question 85119.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to introduce differentiated reporting requirements for (a) small-scale and (b) non-commercial marine genetic resource collection projects under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill.
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria she will use to determine whether projects qualify for reduced waiting periods under section 2(3) of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill.
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consultation she has undertaken with UK (a) academic and (b) research institutions on the practical implications of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill.
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to publish (a) annual and (b) biennial reports to Parliament on the (i) implementation and (ii) enforcement of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill.
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the seven month minimum waiting period for sample collection on UK-led marine research projects.
Section 2(2) of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill requires pre-collection information to be provided to the Secretary of State seven months in advance. This is to ensure that the UK can make a submission to the Clearing-House Mechanism established by the BBNJ Agreement within the timeframe of six months set out in the Agreement. These pre-cruise notification requirements mirror to a large extent the information that researchers are already required to provide as part of an application for consent to conduct research within the territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone of a State, including the six-month timeframe.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recent attacks on the Christian community in Oromia region, Ethiopia; and what steps she is taking to help ensure their protection.
We remain concerned about the situation in Oromia, and its impact on civilians, and note the 4 November statement of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia condemning recent attacks on Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Muslim communities across Oromia. We continue to call on all sides to engage in dialogue to address the underlying causes of conflict in the region. Through our Human Rights and Peacebuilding Programme, in Oromia, the UK supports dialogue efforts by local peacemakers, women's groups and the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE). The UK is also supporting the investigative capacity of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to follow up on reports of violations affecting civilians in Oromia.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to his counterpart in Ukraine on the capture of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces and their reported desire to defect to South Korea.
The UK strongly condemns North Korea's military support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and we remain deeply concerned about the deepening strategic relationship between Russia and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which has significant implications for Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security.Decisions regarding the status and future of prisoners of war captured in Ukraine are for the Ukrainian authorities to determine, in consultation with relevant partners and in accordance with applicable legal and humanitarian frameworks.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the legitimacy of the general election in Tanzania in October 2025.
Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to support representations for an independent investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings in Tanzania since October 2025.
Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to review UK aid to Tanzania, in the context of the human rights situation.
Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Tanzania on the (a) detention and (b) trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners to help tackle (a) religious persecution and (b) violence in (i) northern and (ii) central Nigeria.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November to Question 85661.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern by the United States.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November to Question 85661.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to recognise the outcome of the Tanzanian general election of 29 October 2025.
Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Nigerian Government on (a) arbitrary detentions and (b) due process.
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has raised the case of British citizen Nnamdi Kanu with the Nigerian authorities.
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the treatment of members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in Nigeria.
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.