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Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, column 1772W, whether the individuals to whom British officials spoke had access to a lawyer; whether any of them alleged mistreatment during their discussions with British officials; and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, column 1772W, whether the individuals to whom British officials spoke had access to a lawyer; whether any of them alleged mistreatment during their discussions with British officials; and...
Asked by
Lord Tyrie
(Conservative)
Answered by
Bill Rammell
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 December 2008
For answer on
15 December 2008
Answered on
18 December 2008
We have made clear that we are not aware that these individuals' detention was unlawful, but we are unable to go into further details relating to confidential exchanges on counter-terrorist issues with our Ethiopian partners. It is, however, standard practice for our officials to note the well-being of those interviewed. None of these particular detainees complained of any physical mistreatment.
Subjects
Rendition; Ethiopia
Date
18 December 2008
Reference
485 c980W; 243469
House
House of Commons
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the Government of Ethiopia about the presence of its troops in Somalia.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the Government of Ethiopia about the presence of its troops in Somalia.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Malloch-Brown
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 November 2008
The Government support the Djibouti agreement as the first opportunity for many years for Somalis to bring lasting stability to their country. We have stressed to the Ethiopian Government the importance of their troops behaving in accordance with international standards in all their operations. We continue to encourage Ethiopia to work with the Somali leaders and the UN special representative of the Secretary-General to find an appropriate mechanism for managing their troops in Somalia, and enabling their withdrawal, while preventing further deterioration of the security situation and preserving the fragile progress towards peace that has been made in Djibouti.
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Ethiopia; Somalia
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
6496; 705 c343WA
House
House of Lords
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British officials have (a) met and (b) interviewed persons who in 2007 were rendered to Ethiopia for the purposes of interrogation; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British officials have (a) met and (b) interviewed persons who in 2007 were rendered to Ethiopia for the purposes of interrogation; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Lord Tyrie
(Conservative)
Answered by
Bill Rammell
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 October 2008
For answer on
3 November 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
British officials spoke to a number of individuals in Ethiopian detention during this period; we are not aware that their detention was unlawful.
Subjects
Rendition; Ethiopia
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c1771W; 232518
House
House of Commons
Interlocking crises in the Horn of Africa: House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/86. This paper looks at recent developments in the Horn of Africa, where there are a number of protracted and interlocking crises at work, and briefly discusses some of the main factors that have been described as ‘root causes’ of conflict in the region.
Interlocking crises in the Horn of Africa: House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/86. This paper looks at recent developments in the Horn of Africa, where there are a number of protracted and interlocking crises at work, and briefly discusses some of the main factors that have been described as...
By
Jon Lunn
Type
Commons Briefing papers
Subjects
Armed conflict; Borders; International relations; International assistance; Minority groups; United Nations; Sudan; Uganda; Ethiopia; Somalia; Eritrea; Kenya; Horn of Africa; Djibouti
Date
24 November 2008
Reference
RP08-86
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to visit Ethiopia to discuss the disbursement of development aid.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to visit Ethiopia to discuss the disbursement of development aid.
Asked by
Daniel Kawczynski
(Conservative)
Answered by
Douglas Alexander
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for International Development
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 November 2008
For answer on
17 November 2008
Answered on
19 November 2008
I visited Ethiopia on 16 and 17 October 2008. I have no plans to visit in the immediate future.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
19 November 2008
Reference
483 c644W; 237028
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on Somalia of the continuing Ethiopian presence in that country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on Somalia of the continuing Ethiopian presence in that country.
Asked by
David Drew
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answered by
Baroness Merron
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 April 2008
For answer on
6 May 2008
Answered on
13 November 2008
Ethiopia intervened in Somalia, at the invitation of the Transitional Federal Government, in December 2006, to counter the perceived threat from increasing militancy within the Islamic courts. The military defeat of the Islamic courts led to the establishment of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia in Asmara by some the political leaders of the Islamic courts. Its more militant elements have since engaged in an insurgency against the Ethiopian forces and the Transitional Federal Government.Following UN brokered talks in Djibouti beginning in May 2008, the Transitional Federal Government and the majority element of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia signed an agreement on the cessation of armed confrontation on 19 August 2008. On 26 October, the parties to the Djibouti Agreement held further talks, which agreed the date for the cessation of armed confrontation to begin on 5 November 2008. They also set in motion the requirement for Ethiopia to withdraw its troops within 120 days.The Government support the Djibouti Agreement as the first opportunity for many years for Somalis to bring lasting stability to their country.
Subjects
Ethiopia; Somalia
Date
13 November 2008
Reference
203908; 482 c1414W
House
House of Commons
My Lords, over 30 million people in Ethiopia live in extreme poverty, of whom more than 6 million are dependent on emergency food aid. The Department for International Development expects to spend £130 million this year on improving governance and accountability, promoting human development, supporting sustainable growth and providing humanitarian assistance, as well as an additional £35 million in response to the humanitarian crisis.
My Lords, over 30 million people in Ethiopia live in extreme poverty, of whom more than 6 million are dependent on emergency food aid. The Department for International Development expects to spend £130 million this year on improving governance and accountability, promoting human development, supporting sustainable growth and providing humanitarian assistance, as well as an additional £35 million in response to the humanitarian crisis.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Rawlings
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
What proposals they have regarding the provision of aid to Ethiopia.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c436
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the issue raised by the noble Baroness was one of the key concerns raised with the Ethiopian Government by the Secretary of State at recent talks. Whether it is related or not, in the past few weeks we have seen encouraging signs that humanitarian access and delivery in the Somali region, in particular, is improving. The military has begun discussions, the UN World Food Programme has begun to operate, and, key to the process, the Government have agreed to nutritional surveys and needs assessment to ensure that a humanitarian response is based on the most up-to-date numbers.
My Lords, the issue raised by the noble Baroness was one of the key concerns raised with the Ethiopian Government by the Secretary of State at recent talks. Whether it is related or not, in the past few weeks we have seen encouraging signs that humanitarian access and delivery in the Somali region, in particular, is improving. The military has begun discussions, the UN World Food Programme has begun to operate, and, key to the process, the Government have agreed to nutritional surveys and needs assessment to ensure that a humanitarian response is based on the most up-to-date numbers.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Rawlings
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. Ethiopia has received £4.7 billion in aid between 2001 and 2005 and the £130 million from DfID, but that mainly contributes to the protection of basic-services programmes, to help the Ethiopian Government implement their own poverty reduction plan. Does the Minister agree that it is disgraceful that aid agencies are unable to conduct surveys into the scale of need in the region because they require government permission and military escorts which the Government are failing to provide? How are HMG monitoring this situation and the very worthy projects that are, after all, funded by taxpayers’ money?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c436
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I do not have the specifics of the incident, but I can assure your Lordships that the Secretary of State was not driven by that incident. He visited Ethiopia on 16 and 17 October and, at the end of his visit, he raised two particular UK concerns: the humanitarian situation in the Somali region, which we have already discussed, and the likely impact of the proposed legislation to regulate civil society funding and activities. Mr Alexander explained that because of those concerns, he was unable to announce multiyear DfID funding for Ethiopia at the current time. He indicated that he would follow progress on those issues closely. Forthcoming DfID programme decisions will be informed by developments on the ground and consultation with international partners.
My Lords, I do not have the specifics of the incident, but I can assure your Lordships that the Secretary of State was not driven by that incident. He visited Ethiopia on 16 and 17 October and, at the end of his visit, he raised two particular UK concerns: the humanitarian situation in the Somali region, which we have already discussed, and the likely impact of the proposed legislation to regulate civil society funding and activities. Mr Alexander explained that because of those concerns, he was unable to announce multiyear DfID funding for Ethiopia at the current time. He indicated that he would follow progress on those issues closely. Forthcoming DfID programme decisions will be informed by developments on the ground and consultation with international partners.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, a few weeks ago, when the Secretary of State visited Ethiopia, did he not threaten to cut aid to Ethiopia because he found on his visit that children seemed to have been thrown out of a hospital on the border with Somalia because it would have looked bad if he had discovered as many children in difficulty as there were? Is that what happened? Did he threaten to cut aid? What happened to those children, and how was the episode resolved?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c436-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, a few weeks ago, when the Secretary of State visited Ethiopia, did he not threaten to cut aid to Ethiopia because he found on his visit that children seemed to have been thrown out of a hospital on the border with Somalia because it would have looked bad if he had discovered as many children in difficulty as there were? Is that what happened? Did he threaten to cut aid? What happened to those children, and how was the episode resolved?
My Lords, a few weeks ago, when the Secretary of State visited Ethiopia, did he not threaten to cut aid to Ethiopia because he found on his visit that children seemed to have been thrown out of a hospital on the border with Somalia because it would have looked bad if he had discovered as many children in difficulty as there were? Is that what happened? Did he threaten to cut aid? What happened to those children, and how was the episode resolved?
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2008
My Lords, I do not have the specifics of the incident, but I can assure your Lordships that the Secretary of State was not driven by that incident. He visited Ethiopia on 16 and 17 October and, at the end of his visit, he raised two particular UK concerns: the humanitarian situation in the Somali region, which we have already discussed, and the likely impact of the proposed legislation to regulate civil society funding and activities. Mr Alexander explained that because of those concerns, he was unable to announce multiyear DfID funding for Ethiopia at the current time. He indicated that he would follow progress on those issues closely. Forthcoming DfID programme decisions will be informed by developments on the ground and consultation with international partners.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c436-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I did not entirely hear the question, but in our aid programmes, we have withdrawn from budget aid—five years ago, I believe. The money targeted for Ethiopia goes through a programme of budget support tied to local government delivery. It is checked all the way. We make sure that the money goes into those programmes and we believe that we are having a positive impact on poverty in Ethiopia as a result.
My Lords, I did not entirely hear the question, but in our aid programmes, we have withdrawn from budget aid—five years ago, I believe. The money targeted for Ethiopia goes through a programme of budget support tied to local government delivery. It is checked all the way. We make sure that the money goes into those programmes and we believe that we are having a positive impact on poverty in Ethiopia as a result.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Countess of Mar
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, as Ethiopia is such a poor country, do we know where it is getting the money to purchase the weapons and other armaments to pursue battles in Somalia and Eritrea?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c437
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, perhaps I may follow on from the question asked by the noble Countess, Lady Mar. Ethiopia is currently engaged in military operations in Somalia and in Eritrea. Its operations in Somalia have, as I understand it, been substantially funded by the US Administration of President Bush. Does the Minister join me in hoping that the change in Administration in the United States may change some of the priorities of the Ethiopian Government in this respect?
My Lords, perhaps I may follow on from the question asked by the noble Countess, Lady Mar. Ethiopia is currently engaged in military operations in Somalia and in Eritrea. Its operations in Somalia have, as I understand it, been substantially funded by the US Administration of President Bush. Does the Minister join me in hoping that the change in Administration in the United States may change some of the priorities of the Ethiopian Government in this respect?
Asked by
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
(Liberal Democrat)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2008
My Lords, my understanding is that there is no military activity in Eritrea and that the Ethiopian operations in Somalia were intended to achieve a particular objective which has largely been de-scaled. We keep pressing the Ethiopian Government to withdraw their troops from those operations. They want to do so but need an appropriate African force to fill the vacuum. It is not a simple matter of ““these are the bad guys””; these people are trying to do their best. We do not approve of the original incursion, but we see that there is a real problem of just how quickly they can withdraw.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c438
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we in this country pride ourselves on drawing a strong distinction between providing aid and seeking to use it for political influence. That is enshrined in our law. The case for providing aid to a country depends on its level of poverty, and whether we provide money for that aid depends on whether it will be spent effectively through organisations such as NGOs or by the country itself. We also check against factors such as the level of corruption and so on. We do not use our aid in a quid pro quo for political decisions.
My Lords, we in this country pride ourselves on drawing a strong distinction between providing aid and seeking to use it for political influence. That is enshrined in our law. The case for providing aid to a country depends on its level of poverty, and whether we provide money for that aid depends on whether it will be spent effectively through organisations such as NGOs or by the country itself. We also check against factors such as the level of corruption and so on. We do not use our aid in a quid pro quo for political decisions.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Avebury
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, while the Ethiopians may not be engaged in any military activities in Eritrea, would it not be possible for Britain and the European Union to increase aid to Ethiopia if it would finally settle its dispute with Eritrea on the frontier, on the lines of the recommendations made by the Lauterpacht commission?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c438
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, my noble friend Lady Northover raised an important issue about aid agency reports of children being thrown out of hospital. If the Minister does not have the answer, will he look into the matter and place a reply in the Library so that she can have a proper reply to the question?
My Lords, my noble friend Lady Northover raised an important issue about aid agency reports of children being thrown out of hospital. If the Minister does not have the answer, will he look into the matter and place a reply in the Library so that she can have a proper reply to the question?
Asked by
Lord Dholakia
(Liberal Democrat)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2008
I am sorry, my Lords, but I feel that I have answered the question. We strongly audit all our programmes. Ethiopia, of all the countries that we give to, has some of the strongest governance systems. We have high levels of confidence that aid going to Ethiopia goes to the purposes for which we have agreed it. We have strong co-operation with other donors; hence, right across the board, we believe that the aid is going to the hospitals, the educational establishments and the programmes. I do not believe that there is any doubt that the aid is going where we intend it or that it is properly monitored.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c437-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, as Ethiopia is such a poor country, do we know where it is getting the money to purchase the weapons and other armaments to pursue battles in Somalia and Eritrea?
My Lords, as Ethiopia is such a poor country, do we know where it is getting the money to purchase the weapons and other armaments to pursue battles in Somalia and Eritrea?
Asked by
Countess of Mar
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2008
My Lords, I did not entirely hear the question, but in our aid programmes, we have withdrawn from budget aid—five years ago, I believe. The money targeted for Ethiopia goes through a programme of budget support tied to local government delivery. It is checked all the way. We make sure that the money goes into those programmes and we believe that we are having a positive impact on poverty in Ethiopia as a result.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c437
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, arising from that answer, will my noble friend confirm that it remains the position of Her Majesty's Government that development assistance will be provided only to democracies or to countries that are seen to be moving towards democracy, and that we give no funds whatever to dictatorships?
My Lords, arising from that answer, will my noble friend confirm that it remains the position of Her Majesty's Government that development assistance will be provided only to democracies or to countries that are seen to be moving towards democracy, and that we give no funds whatever to dictatorships?
Asked by
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2008
My Lords, I wish the world were that simple. The simple DfID commitment is to reduce poverty. We of course then caveat that in a series of ways. We caveat against the effectiveness of the Government, whether they are straight and honest and what is their attitude to issues such as human rights. Ethiopia is a poor country trying to make good in a very tough neighbourhood. The case for aid is extremely strong. Comparatively speaking, Ethiopia is stable and has a capable Government who have demonstrated commitment to addressing poverty with an impressive record of pro-poor spending, sound financial management and low levels of corruption.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c437
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
I am sorry, my Lords, but I feel that I have answered the question. We strongly audit all our programmes. Ethiopia, of all the countries that we give to, has some of the strongest governance systems. We have high levels of confidence that aid going to Ethiopia goes to the purposes for which we have agreed it. We have strong co-operation with other donors; hence, right across the board, we believe that the aid is going to the hospitals, the educational establishments and the programmes. I do not believe that there is any doubt that the aid is going where we intend it or that it is properly monitored.
I am sorry, my Lords, but I feel that I have answered the question. We strongly audit all our programmes. Ethiopia, of all the countries that we give to, has some of the strongest governance systems. We have high levels of confidence that aid going to Ethiopia goes to the purposes for which we have agreed it. We have strong co-operation with other donors; hence, right across the board, we believe that the aid is going to the hospitals, the educational establishments and the programmes. I do not believe that there is any doubt that the aid is going where we intend it or that it is properly monitored.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dholakia
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, my noble friend Lady Northover raised an important issue about aid agency reports of children being thrown out of hospital. If the Minister does not have the answer, will he look into the matter and place a reply in the Library so that she can have a proper reply to the question?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c437-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, while the Ethiopians may not be engaged in any military activities in Eritrea, would it not be possible for Britain and the European Union to increase aid to Ethiopia if it would finally settle its dispute with Eritrea on the frontier, on the lines of the recommendations made by the Lauterpacht commission?
My Lords, while the Ethiopians may not be engaged in any military activities in Eritrea, would it not be possible for Britain and the European Union to increase aid to Ethiopia if it would finally settle its dispute with Eritrea on the frontier, on the lines of the recommendations made by the Lauterpacht commission?
Asked by
Lord Avebury
(Liberal Democrat)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2008
My Lords, we in this country pride ourselves on drawing a strong distinction between providing aid and seeking to use it for political influence. That is enshrined in our law. The case for providing aid to a country depends on its level of poverty, and whether we provide money for that aid depends on whether it will be spent effectively through organisations such as NGOs or by the country itself. We also check against factors such as the level of corruption and so on. We do not use our aid in a quid pro quo for political decisions.
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c438
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, my understanding is that there is no military activity in Eritrea and that the Ethiopian operations in Somalia were intended to achieve a particular objective which has largely been de-scaled. We keep pressing the Ethiopian Government to withdraw their troops from those operations. They want to do so but need an appropriate African force to fill the vacuum. It is not a simple matter of ““these are the bad guys””; these people are trying to do their best. We do not approve of the original incursion, but we see that there is a real problem of just how quickly they can withdraw.
My Lords, my understanding is that there is no military activity in Eritrea and that the Ethiopian operations in Somalia were intended to achieve a particular objective which has largely been de-scaled. We keep pressing the Ethiopian Government to withdraw their troops from those operations. They want to do so but need an appropriate African force to fill the vacuum. It is not a simple matter of ““these are the bad guys””; these people are trying to do their best. We do not approve of the original incursion, but we see that there is a real problem of just how quickly they can withdraw.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, perhaps I may follow on from the question asked by the noble Countess, Lady Mar. Ethiopia is currently engaged in military operations in Somalia and in Eritrea. Its operations in Somalia have, as I understand it, been substantially funded by the US Administration of President Bush. Does the Minister join me in hoping that the change in Administration in the United States may change some of the priorities of the Ethiopian Government in this respect?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c438
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I wish the world were that simple. The simple DfID commitment is to reduce poverty. We of course then caveat that in a series of ways. We caveat against the effectiveness of the Government, whether they are straight and honest and what is their attitude to issues such as human rights. Ethiopia is a poor country trying to make good in a very tough neighbourhood. The case for aid is extremely strong. Comparatively speaking, Ethiopia is stable and has a capable Government who have demonstrated commitment to addressing poverty with an impressive record of pro-poor spending, sound financial management and low levels of corruption.
My Lords, I wish the world were that simple. The simple DfID commitment is to reduce poverty. We of course then caveat that in a series of ways. We caveat against the effectiveness of the Government, whether they are straight and honest and what is their attitude to issues such as human rights. Ethiopia is a poor country trying to make good in a very tough neighbourhood. The case for aid is extremely strong. Comparatively speaking, Ethiopia is stable and has a capable Government who have demonstrated commitment to addressing poverty with an impressive record of pro-poor spending, sound financial management and low levels of corruption.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, arising from that answer, will my noble friend confirm that it remains the position of Her Majesty's Government that development assistance will be provided only to democracies or to countries that are seen to be moving towards democracy, and that we give no funds whatever to dictatorships?
Subjects
Development aid; Ethiopia
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
705 c437
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords