Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

In our statement on 3 May, we publicly urged the Syrian government to take steps to shield civilians from violence and hold those responsible to account. The protection of all civilians and their full inclusion in the transition process is vital for peace in Syria. This will continue to be a priority in our engagement with the Syrian government.

Several of Iran's nuclear activities are in breach of UN Security Council Resolutions 1929 and 1835 but they are consistent with Iran's obligations under the November 2013 Geneva Interim agreement between the E3+3 and Iran. The E3+3 are currently trying to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran, under which Iran would have a nuclear programme with agreed limits.

We are concerned by reports of bomb attacks targeting Fatah officials in Gaza in November 2014 and on 15 February 2015. Investigations are still ongoing in Gaza into who was responsible. Since the formation of the interim technocratic government, we have supported Prime Minister Hamdallah’s efforts to return the Palestinian Authority (PA) to effective control of the Gaza Strip, which would allow the PA to take action to address such reports.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 1737 Iran is prohibited from undertaking heavy water-related activities. Under the Joint Plan of Action (JPoA) agreed between the E3+3 and Iran in November 2013 and subsequently extended to 30 June 2015, Iran committed to not make any further advances on the Arak reactor for the duration of the JPoA. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General’s 19 February report on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme confirms that Iran continues to abide by its nuclear commitments under the JPoA. The report also confirmed that the reactor remains under IAEA safeguards.