Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with (a) NATO and (b) her other international counterparts on the detention and prosecution of British prisoners of war by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government of Ukraine is responsible for negotiations with Russia on the exchange of Prisoners of War and we are working closely with the Ukrainians to secure the release of all British National Prisoners of War held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. The UK Government is also in regular contact with international partners, including NATO Allies, about violations of International Humanitarian Law by Russia and Russian proxies, including their treatment of Prisoners of War and civilian detainees. British Nationals detained by Russian forces and its proxies must be treated in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, including the Geneva Conventions. The UK Government has raised this issue with the Russian authorities and reminded them of their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to her international counterparts to support calls for an investigation into the deaths of migrants and asylum seekers at Melilla on the Morocco-Spain border on 24 June 2022.
Answered by Amanda Milling
We are concerned by the events of Friday 24 June on the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, during which many migrants died. Senior FCDO officials have spoken to the relevant authorities in Spain and Morocco regarding the incident. We welcome the decision of both authorities to carry out investigations.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart on holding an independent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Aqleh.
Answered by Amanda Milling
During a call with the Israeli Ambassador on 19 May, I made clear the UK's sadness at the recent death of Shireen Abu Aqleh and the disturbing scenes at her funeral in Jerusalem. I urged a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the events. The UK Ambassador to Israel has reiterated the importance of an investigation with the Israeli authorities. We call for urgent steps to de-escalate tensions and for restraint in the use of force. The safety of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support the Government is providing to help (a) Black and Asian and (b) other British nationals to leave Ukraine.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The British Embassy office in Kyiv has temporarily relocated to Lviv. In-person consular services in Lviv are extremely limited and may be further affected by Russian military action. FCDO Rapid Deployment Teams have been deployed to neighbouring countries to support British nationals in need of consular assistance and the UK is committed to the principle of non-discrimination on any grounds, including on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or race. A full range of assistance is available in these countries.
British nationals still in Ukraine should register their presence with the FCDO and follow FCDO Travel Advice. Any British nationals who require consular assistance in Ukraine should call our 24 hour helpline: +44 (0) 1908 516666 or +380 44 490 3660.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on supporting foreign nationals to leave Ukraine, including individuals from (a) India, (b) Nigeria, and (c) Ghana.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We are in regular dialogue with our international partners and stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance as needed. As of 2 March, over 1 million people are reported by the UN to have left Ukraine [link https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine]. These numbers will continue to rise while Russia continues this reprehensible and needless attack. The UK government has pledged £220 million of aid, which includes £120 million of humanitarian assistance. Our humanitarian support will help partners stand up their response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation. We have also deployed UK humanitarian experts to support Ukraine's neighbours, who are receiving and supporting the increasing flow of refugees fleeing Ukraine.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support the Government is providing to UK nationals who remain in Afghanistan.
Answered by Nigel Adams
Between 15 and 29 August, the UK evacuated over 8,000 British nationals from Afghanistan. Additionally, on 9-10 September, we evacuated a further 34 British nationals via Doha. Work continues to explore all possible avenues to ensure that any British nationals who remain in Afghanistan are able to leave safely if they wish to do so. To enable this, we have asked all British nationals in Afghanistan to register their presence with us and we are working to verify all those who have submitted their details. We have been clear that the Taliban must allow safe passage for those who want to leave.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the UK resuming in-country consular support in Afghanistan.
Answered by Nigel Adams
Our focus is on the immediate priorities of ensuring safe passage for anyone remaining in Afghanistan who is eligible to come to the UK and wishes to leave, supporting the thousands of new arrivals in the UK, and continuing to provide assistance to the Afghan people. Our Embassy to Afghanistan has temporarily relocated to Qatar, until it can be re-established in Afghanistan, to lead our diplomatic, security and humanitarian engagement remotely. The situation on the ground remains fluid and we will continue to review this posture. Our High Commission in Pakistan and Embassies in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Qatar, reinforced by Rapid Deployment Teams, are also providing consular support.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian authorities.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are seeking clarification from the Nigerian Government about the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu. The UK has requested consular access to Mr Kanu from the Nigerian Government, and we stand ready to provide consular assistance.