Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL512):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the findings of Professor Obiora Ike, Executive Director of Globethics.net, that over 30,000 Nigerians from Christian backgrounds have been killed over the last decade, and others kidnapped, brutalised or driven from their homes. (HL512)
Tabled on: 25 May 2022
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
We are aware of the report in question and a number of other recent reports concerning the drivers of violence in Nigeria. The UK Government continues to follow increasing insecurity across Nigeria with concern, which has a devastating impact on affected communities, including both Christian and Muslim communities. The principal causes of violence across Nigeria are complex, and include criminality and competition over resources. We continue to urge and support the Nigerian Government to take action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence and ensure the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief for all.
The Minister for Africa visited Nigeria in February 2022 and raised rising insecurity and its impact on the Nigerian people in meetings with the Vice President, Foreign Minister and several State Governors. The Minister was pleased to be able to meet with a range of interlocutors, including faith and NGO leaders, and held detailed discussions about the causes of violence. At the first dialogue of our Security and Defence Partnership in February, the UK and Nigerian Governments committed to work together to respond to rising insecurity and promote human rights. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.
Date and time of answer: 10 Jun 2022 at 14:34
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Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL513):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to discuss the lynching of Deborah Yakubu with the government of Nigeria; and what steps they will take to promote the protection of Nigerians against religious persecution. (HL513)
Tabled on: 25 May 2022
Answer:
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park:
The murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State, Nigeria, on 13 May was a barbaric and heinous act. In response, the Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean expressed her public condemnation, and urged the relevant authorities to ensure the perpetrators face justice in line with the law.
Defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities, is a longstanding human rights priority for the UK Government. The UK Government regularly discusses human rights in Nigeria with the Nigerian authorities, stressing the importance of protecting and promoting human rights for all. During her visit to Nigeria in February, the Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean met with community and religious leaders, with whom she discussed, among other things, the impact of the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria on local people, and their rights. She also discussed growing insecurity and violence with Nigeria’s Vice President and Foreign Minister.
Date and time of answer: 10 Jun 2022 at 14:33.
