Lords statement on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba, following the US naval and financial blockade of the island.

Lords statement on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba, following the US naval and financial blockade of the island.

My Lords, the original Question in the other place from Jeremy Corbyn MP was fundamentally misguided. The people of Cuba have long suffered from economic stagnation and political repression, and the Cuban state has a long history of abusing its own people’s political, civil and human rights. While the US...

My Lords, the original Question in the other place from Jeremy Corbyn MP was fundamentally misguided. The people of Cuba have long suffered from economic stagnation and political repression, and the Cuban state has a long history of abusing its own people’s political, civil and human rights. While the US...

I thank the noble Lord for his series of questions but, as he is well aware, successive United Kingdom Governments have opposed the United States’ embargo on Cuba and have done so consistently over many occasions for almost 30 years, certainly at the United Nations. We will continue that. Our...

I thank the noble Lord for his series of questions but, as he is well aware, successive United Kingdom Governments have opposed the United States’ embargo on Cuba and have done so consistently over many occasions for almost 30 years, certainly at the United Nations. We will continue that. Our...

My Lords, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has said about the blockade:

“Such severe sanctions packages that target entire sectors of an economy and produce broad, indiscriminate, and harsh effects on populations are incompatible with basic principles of international human rights law”.

We all know that poverty and...

My Lords, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has said about the blockade:

“Such severe sanctions packages that target entire sectors of an economy and produce broad, indiscriminate, and harsh effects on populations are incompatible with basic principles of international human rights law”.

We all know that poverty and...

I hear what the noble Lord says, but what the United Kingdom Government have been doing is engaging with both the United States and Cuba. We welcome the dialogue taking place between those countries. Certainly, we are incredibly concerned about the current humanitarian situation. Our first concern is obviously also...

I hear what the noble Lord says, but what the United Kingdom Government have been doing is engaging with both the United States and Cuba. We welcome the dialogue taking place between those countries. Certainly, we are incredibly concerned about the current humanitarian situation. Our first concern is obviously also...

My Lords, in that one-party state which systematically suppresses dissent, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which routinely uses sham trials and which imposes arbitrary detention in harsh prison conditions, targeting journalists, labour activists and pro-democracy activists, can the Minister explore ways in which we can provide practical support and...

My Lords, in that one-party state which systematically suppresses dissent, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which routinely uses sham trials and which imposes arbitrary detention in harsh prison conditions, targeting journalists, labour activists and pro-democracy activists, can the Minister explore ways in which we can provide practical support and...

On the latter point, my honourable friend the Minister in the other place, Chris Elmore, has been in touch with the Cuban authorities. He has also spoken to the Cuban ambassador about these issues. We have been clear in our long-standing bilateral relationship, which has provided the opportunity for frank...

On the latter point, my honourable friend the Minister in the other place, Chris Elmore, has been in touch with the Cuban authorities. He has also spoken to the Cuban ambassador about these issues. We have been clear in our long-standing bilateral relationship, which has provided the opportunity for frank...

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that in 2023, the previous Government signed the PDCA, which was a political agreement that looked at humanitarian areas and covered human rights. What is the status of that agreement? My understanding is that it is yet to be ratified. In that light,...

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that in 2023, the previous Government signed the PDCA, which was a political agreement that looked at humanitarian areas and covered human rights. What is the status of that agreement? My understanding is that it is yet to be ratified. In that light,...

As I said in answer to previous questions, we are engaged with the United States and with Cuba. We are encouraging the dialogue taking place between the US and the Cuban Government. In relation to the PDCA, ratification of the agreement was delayed to give the Government an opportunity to...

As I said in answer to previous questions, we are engaged with the United States and with Cuba. We are encouraging the dialogue taking place between the US and the Cuban Government. In relation to the PDCA, ratification of the agreement was delayed to give the Government an opportunity to...

My Lords, President Trump has on a number of occasions suggested or hinted at the use of military force in Cuba. The present Administration of the United States do not have a good record of compliance with international law. In their discussions with the United States Administration, will this Government...

My Lords, President Trump has on a number of occasions suggested or hinted at the use of military force in Cuba. The present Administration of the United States do not have a good record of compliance with international law. In their discussions with the United States Administration, will this Government...

I suspect that the noble and learned Lord knows the answer to that question. We are members of the United Nations Security Council. We are absolutely committed to international law and urge all members of the Security Council and the United Nations to follow suit.

I suspect that the noble and learned Lord knows the answer to that question. We are members of the United Nations Security Council. We are absolutely committed to international law and urge all members of the Security Council and the United Nations to follow suit.

My Lords, the United States has offered $100 million in aid to be administered by the Catholic Church, which the Cuban Government have not accepted, as they insist that all aid must go through their own institution. Given that the Cuban regime has provided support to the Russian war effort,...

My Lords, the United States has offered $100 million in aid to be administered by the Catholic Church, which the Cuban Government have not accepted, as they insist that all aid must go through their own institution. Given that the Cuban regime has provided support to the Russian war effort,...

I repeat what I have said before. We continue to provide support, primarily through the multilateral system, including organisations such as the World Food Programme and

UNICEF. In addition, we are among the major contributors to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. That is what we have been doing. Bodies...

I repeat what I have said before. We continue to provide support, primarily through the multilateral system, including organisations such as the World Food Programme and

UNICEF. In addition, we are among the major contributors to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. That is what we have been doing. Bodies...

Economic effects of the US/Israeli conflict with Iran are emerging for UK consumers and businesses. However, flexible supply chains may cushion price pressures.

Economic effects of the US/Israeli conflict with Iran are emerging for UK consumers and businesses. However, flexible supply chains may cushion price pressures.

Lords statement on the Government's continued response to the war in the Middle East.

Lords statement on the Government's continued response to the war in the Middle East.

My Lords, for the third time in as many weeks, the Chancellor came before the other place on Tuesday and once again delivered a Statement remarkable only for its lack of substance.

I welcome the confirmation respecting nuclear power, including the implementation of the Fingleton review, which should help to accelerate...

My Lords, for the third time in as many weeks, the Chancellor came before the other place on Tuesday and once again delivered a Statement remarkable only for its lack of substance.

I welcome the confirmation respecting nuclear power, including the implementation of the Fingleton review, which should help to accelerate...