Asked by: Angela Rayner (Labour - Ashton-under-Lyne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps the Government has taken to advance peace talks in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The UK is clear that the best way to achieve a two-state solution is through negotiations between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. However, there must be an environment conducive to peace, and we are therefore urging all parties to de-escalate current tensions.
On 9 October, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) spoke to President Abbas and urged him to do everything in his power to reduce tensions and restore calm. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv discuss the situation frequently with Israeli officials. Most recently, on 19 November, our Ambassador to Tel Aviv discussed the ongoing violence with Gilad Erdan, the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Public Security and Information.
Asked by: Angela Rayner (Labour - Ashton-under-Lyne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on progress by the Burundian government on establishing a truth commission.
Answered by Grant Shapps
The Burundian government first submitted the Truth and Reconciliation Law to Parliament in December 2012 before announcing the appointment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on 3 December 2014. It has not reported further since then. We understand that opposition parties boycotted the process over the remit of the Commission, calling into question its ability to establish the truth and bring reconciliation. The UK Government believes that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, guided by the Arusha Agreement signed in the aftermath of Burundi’s civil war, has an important role in ensuring long-term reconciliation. The illegitimate elections and continued violence show that the principles of inclusion set out in the Arusha Agreement are needed now more than ever and we continue to urge all in Burundi to uphold them.Asked by: Angela Rayner (Labour - Ashton-under-Lyne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on progress made by the Burundian government on the commitments made in UN Security Council resolution 1606.
Answered by Grant Shapps
UN Security Council Resolution 1606 reaffirmed support for the Arusha Peace Agreement and began the process for establishing a truth commission and special chamber within Burundi’s court system to ensure reconciliation and bring to justice those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Progress by the Burundian government has been extremely slow with the Truth and Reconciliation Law only submitted to Parliament in December 2012 and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission appointed in December 2014. More recently, the Burundian government has refused to engage with the UN and has refused the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Burundi. The UK Government continues to voice concerns over the delay given the links between impunity and instability in Burundi.