Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has discussed the treatment of Syrian detainees in Sednaya prison with her international counterparts; and whether he is taking steps to help secure the release of those detainees.
Answered by Gillian Keegan - Secretary of State for Education
We are appalled by the human rights situation in Syria, especially Sednaya. We are committed to highlighting the mistreatment of detainees in Sednaya prison. Since 2012 we have contributed over £14 million in support to gather evidence and assist victims of human rights abuses and violations. The UK is the penholder for the Syria Human Rights Council Resolution, which was adopted in September. We also use our position at the UN Security Council to draw international attention to the ongoing human rights violations in Syria, including within prisons. At the Security Council this month, we will call for the release of detainees and condemn these violations.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take steps to increase UK diplomatic representation in Central Asia.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK is represented through British Embassies in all five Central Asian republics. Diplomatic staff at our Embassies are engaged in a wide range of work in pursuit of UK interests, including political, security, commercial and climate priorities. Russia's illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine is a significant strategic moment for the countries of the region, highlighting the importance of accelerating economic and security relationships with other international partners. The UK is committed to building on strong foundations laid in the thirty years since establishing diplomatic relations with the Central Asian republics, and the Foreign Secretary is ensuring our Embassies are sufficiently resourced to do so.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the relationship between the Federal Government in Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
We continue to work with both Baghdad and Erbil, and encourage both sides to work towards resolving their differences in line with the Iraqi constitution. We want to see a strong and successful Kurdistan region within a thriving and multicultural Iraq.