Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2021 to Question 71375 on Western Sahara: Human Rights; what discussions she has had with her Moroccan counterpart on Morocco's lack of facilitation of a visit to Western Sahara by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since January 2016.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We are closely monitoring the situation in Western Sahara. We have regular discussions with the UN, both in New York and in the region, as well as with the parties. The UK has consistently supported language in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions which encourages the parties to sustain their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf camps.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will raise with her Moroccan counterpart the stamping of MINURSO passports by Morocco.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We are closely monitoring the situation in Western Sahara. We have regular discussions with the parties and remain in close contact with the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The UK fully supports the UN's efforts to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
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 Moroccan counterpart on (a) the inability of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct any visits to Western Sahara during the last six years and (b) the resulting gaps in human rights monitoring in that non-self-governing territory.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has conducted several visits to Western Sahara since 2011, the latest of which was in January 2016. Details of these visits can be found on the OHCHR website. We have consistently supported language in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions which encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What recent diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help promote international co-operation on tackling climate change.
Answered by Vicky Ford
As the PM has said, Climate is the top priority for the UK. I am looking forward to COP next week which will be the key moment to promote international cooperation on tackling climate change.
The Foreign Secretary has reinforced that all countries must raise ambition during her engagements since her appointment. This includes speaking to over 40 of her counterparts, attending the UK General Assembly, and visiting the US, Mexico, India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. I have also raised with my counterparts in Africa.
Climate change is an issue for everyone. Tackling it needs everyone to work together.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2021 to Question 41005, whether he convened internal departmental meetings to discuss the Taliban upsurge in Afghanistan on 16 August 2021.
Answered by Amanda Milling
The former Foreign Secretary has overseen the FCDO's response to the situation in Afghanistan throughout, including directing the FCDO's crisis response.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2021 to Question 41002, at what times on 13 August 2021 he spoke to the UK Ambassador in Kabul.
Answered by Amanda Milling
As set out in the Answer of 10 September 2021 to Question 41002, the former Foreign Secretary drew regularly on advice from HMA Kabul and many other Ambassadors in the region during the period from 12 August onwards.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2021 to Question 41005, whether he convened internal departmental meetings to discuss the Taliban upsurge in Afghanistan on 15 August 2021.
Answered by Amanda Milling
The former Foreign Secretary has overseen the FCDO's response to the situation in Afghanistan throughout, including directing the FCDO's crisis response.
Asked by: Alan Brown (Scottish National Party - Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2021 to Question 41005, whether he convened internal departmental meetings to discuss the Taliban upsurge in Afghanistan on 14 August 2021.
Answered by Amanda Milling
The former Foreign Secretary has overseen the FCDO's response to the situation in Afghanistan throughout, including directing the FCDO's crisis response.