Lord Sheikh: My Lords, my noble friend the Minister referred to the fact that the number of deaths that have occurred as a result of coronavirus stand at 18,738. The BAME community represents about 14% of the UK population, but unfortunately accounts for about 35% of all coronavirus patients in intensive care. The number of people in the BAME community who have contracted coronavirus and died as result is...
Lord Sheikh: My Lords, we all appreciate that Covid-19 is a hidden enemy that attacks anyone, anywhere in the world. Some countries overseas are in dire straits. It is important that we continue to provide help to foreign countries. Is it possible in the present climate to maintain the spend of 0.7% of our gross national income on foreign aid?
Lord Sheikh: Is my noble friend able to give me the guarantees that the community is looking for with regard to burial and cremation? They are looking for assurances and guarantees.
Lord Sheikh: My Lords, I commend the Government for bringing forward this important piece of legislation. We are indeed facing challenging times. The coronavirus has caused widespread disruption and tragedy. Families have been torn apart and businesses forced to close. I was in self-isolation but felt that it was important to contribute today as this Bill raises important questions about the treatment of...
Lord Sheikh: My Lords, I am grateful to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Gloucester for securing this important debate. I congratulate her on the excellence of her speech. Early years intervention for the most vulnerable children and families is a multifaceted topic that requires a collaborative approach. The evidence which suggests that the early years of a child’s life are pivotal to their...
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards the adoption of a formal definition of Islamophobia.
Lord Sheikh: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his Answer. Islamophobia is of great concern to the Muslim community. I have raised this subject before in your Lordships’ House. Can the Minister assure the House that the process to be undertaken will not involve any preconditions such as recognising Islamophobia as a form of racism? Does he agree that any definition proposed by the Government must...
Lord Sheikh: My Lords, I begin by saying that I support this tremendously important Bill. I commend the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, on her tireless dedication to the improvement of palliative care across the country and on introducing the Bill in your Lordships’ House. As someone who has supported the hospice movement for many years, I am glad that we are putting palliative care on the agenda and...
Lord Sheikh: My Lords, Her Majesty in her most gracious Speech reiterated this Government’s ambitious plans in the field of international relations. Many of the challenges facing the global community cannot be addressed in the absence of effective diplomacy. I recently visited Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, where I spoke about the importance of diplomacy. I wholeheartedly welcome the United...
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of people seeking asylum in the UK are doing so because they are fleeing domestic violence.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to hold discussions with the government of the Ivory Coast about honouring presidential term limits.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in the Ivory Coast.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent reports they have received about unrest in the Sahel.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what contributions they are making to the proposed Multi-National Joint Task Force and the G5 Sahel Joint Force in the Sahel.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the forecasts by multilateral financial institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, what plans they have to strengthen economic ties with the Ivory Coast.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current status of indefinite conscription in Eritrea.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the peace deal brokered in 2018 between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent border closure between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance, if any, they are providing to Eritrea and Ethiopia in ratifying a trade agreement.
Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are they taking alongside international partners to promote the Sustainable Development Goals.