Asked by: Baroness Blower (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how the United Kingdom and other international partners can protect minority communities in Syria.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As part of our intensive diplomatic engagement with international partners, and in discussions with the interim Syrian authorities, we have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. The Foreign Secretary raised this most recently with interim Foreign Minister Al Shaybani at the International Contact Group for Syria in Riyadh on 12 January. We want to see a political transition process which leads to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We will continue to work with our international partners in support of this.
Asked by: Baroness Blower (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what diplomatic efforts they are making to pursue a ceasefire in Northern Syria given the continuing clashes in that region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK is closely monitoring developments in northern Syria, where security and stability are necessary to prevent the worsening of the already serious humanitarian situation, especially in the wake of the 6 February earthquakes. The UK continues to use our position at the UN Security Council to call on all parties to respect agreed ceasefires, de-escalate tensions and restrain from activity that could lead to further destabilisation or civilian loss of life. There can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict, only a political settlement on the basis of UNSCR 2254.
Asked by: Baroness Blower (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that relief materials reach the earthquake victims in Northern Syria.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
In response to the devastating earthquakes, the UK has committed a significant package of aid. In Syria, we have delivered vital lifesaving items such as blankets and tents, and we are supporting trusted partners, including the UN and Syria Civil Defence (White Helmets). The UN-brokered agreement to open additional border crossings into north west Syria for an initial period of three months is welcome and we continue to work with the UN to ensure access is secured in the longer term to improve humanitarian conditions. As of 14 March, over 787 aid trucks provided by six UN agencies have crossed to north west Syria from Turkey.
Asked by: Baroness Blower (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assist in the protection of women and girls in the earthquake hit region of Northern Syria.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK responded swiftly and committed a significant package of aid to address urgent humanitarian needs to those affected by the earthquake in Syria. This included funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support immediate needs around childbirth, midwifery and reducing risk of violence against women and girls and support to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for child protection activities. The UK has also delivered hygiene kits alongside other emergency relief items.