Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to help address the needs of women and girls (a) subjected to sexual slavery and other forms of gender-based violence and (b) otherwise affected by the conflict in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK has provided up to £24 million in humanitarian support in Cabo Delgado to date and is reaching up to 100,000 of the most vulnerable people displaced by conflict. This includes increased support through mobile health brigades and the provision of civic documentation for those displaced, along with mental health and psychosocial support for those displaced, including assistance for women and girls affected by gender-based violence and trauma. These interventions recognise the increased risk for women and girls in conflict settings and help to reduce some of the inequalities they face.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what reports his Department has received of steps taken to protect civilians in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK continues to pursue all diplomatic avenues to help bring about a permanent ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access, to protect civilians and to commit the warring parties to a sustained and meaningful peace process. The UK has highlighted and condemned human rights abuses in statements and resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council and Security Council, and directly with the Sudanese authorities. We continue to call for an end to the violence, and for those responsible for human rights violations to be held to account.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the impact of the conflict in Sudan on UK trade and investment in that region; and what support he is providing to British businesses potentially affected by that conflict.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Neither the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office nor Department for Business and Trade hold data centrally on the impact of the conflict on UK trade with and investment in Sudan. Trade between the UK and Sudan has been limited because of historic and continued sanctions against Sudan since 1997. With the British Embassy temporarily closed, it is regrettably not possible to provide support to British businesses affected by the conflict.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps he is taking to facilitate the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Our top humanitarian priority remains securing immediate humanitarian access and operational security guarantees for humanitarian agencies. The UK strongly condemns the decision on 21 February by the Sudanese Armed Forces to withdraw permission for cross-border deliveries of humanitarian aid from Adré in Chad. As penholder on Sudan, we urgently convened the Security Council to consider this matter. We note the SAF's commitments on 5 March date to facilitate crossline and other cross-border routes for the delivery of life-saving assistance to Darfur and the Kordofans and we are calling on them to ensure that these commitments are honoured in full. The UK continues to work with regional and international partners to help bring an end to the hostilities, ensure the protection of civilians and secure safe humanitarian access to and for the most at need communities.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what support the Government is providing to people who have fled from Afghanistan to (a) Iran, (b) Pakistan and (c) other third countries.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since April 2021, the UK has disbursed over £600 million in aid to Afghanistan. This includes £17 million to support humanitarian organisations in Afghanistan's neighbouring countries. This has assisted Afghan migrants and asylum seekers moving across borders, and refugee and host communities in those countries.
We continue to monitor the situation. For those Afghan nationals eligible under ARAP (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) and ACRS (Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme) Pathway 3, the UK Government continues to provide discretionary support to those in Iran, Pakistan, and other third countries - this includes accommodation, food and medical care.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on standardising measures to prevent the circumvention of sanctions against Russia.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Preventing circumvention is a priority for UK ministers and officials who routinely work in close coordination with G7 members and allies. Our collective response to circumvention has included the joint publication of a list of Common High Priority goods critical to Russia's military-industrial complex and the introduction of the Oil Price Cap. We continue to deliver joint outreach to third countries and coordinated packages of sanctions that include targets in third countries that are enabling Russia to sustain its war machine. The most recent package was on 22 February. The Government will continue to coordinate with allies on circumvention issues.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of reports of construction work on the border between Egypt and Gaza.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Egypt is a key regional partner in supporting the Government's response to the crisis, and we welcome efforts by Egypt in getting aid into, and British Nationals out of, Gaza. The Government is deeply concerned about the prospect of a military offensive in Rafah. Over half of Gaza's population are sheltering in the area, and the Rafah crossing is vital to ensure aid can reach the people who so desperately need it.
The immediate priority must be a humanitarian pause, which is the best route to secure the safe release of hostages and significantly step up the aid reaching Gaza. We want that pause to lead to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to further fighting. That remains the focus of all our diplomatic effort.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of Palestinian refugees on regional stability in the Middle East.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The Government firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.
Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.
Our position is that settlements are illegal. No Palestinian should be threatened with forcible displacement or relocation.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reports of alleged assassinations of Sikh activists in the US and Canada on British Sikhs living abroad.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
British Sikhs are an important part of our society and continue to make a hugely valuable contribution to British life. We are committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief for all. Where required, we offer consular support and assistance to British nationals worldwide. Any individual in need of consular assistance can contact the nearest British High Commission or Consulate. Our consular contact numbers are available 24/7. We constantly review our travel advice for each country or territory to ensure it includes up-to-date information, including advice for British nationals on safety and security, and update travel advice as quickly as possible if we are aware of an incident that might significantly affect British people travelling or living in the area.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact for his policies of the recent Court of Justice of the European Union ruling on the prohibition of visible religious symbols in government offices within the European Union.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We note the recent Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) ruling on the prohibition of visible religious symbols in government offices.
This case is a matter for the EU and its Member States. We will continue, as part of our wider work on freedom of religion or belief, to monitor the situation of religious or belief communities, including where applicable, as this relates to British citizens working in the EU.
The UK Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and promoting mutual respect, here in the UK and internationally. Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is a longstanding human rights priority for the UK.