Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to make representations to his Emirati counterpart on (a) recent reports that Ahmed Mansoor has been tortured in al-Sadr prison and (b) Ahmed Mansoor's right to access to healthcare during his hunger strike under UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Officials have previously raised the case of Ahmed Mansoor with senior Emirati officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The UK urges all countries to comply with their human rights obligations and our close relationship with the UAE allows us to discuss important issues such as human rights. Where the UK has cause for concern, we raise these concerns at official and Ministerial level.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Emirati counterpart to ensure that Ahmed Mansoor's prison conditions comply with internationally agreed minimum standards.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The case of Ahmed Mansoor was raised by my officials with senior Emirati officials in the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The UK urges all countries to comply with their human rights obligations. When we have concerns in this regard, we raise those concerns at senior level levels with foreign governments.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has plans to seek continued UK participation in the Common Foreign and Security Policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK’s departure from the EU will enable us to achieve a fully independent foreign policy, not constrained by the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. The Political Declaration sets out our intentions – not to participate in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy - but to develop an ambitious future partnership that will enable the UK, the EU and our European allies to cooperate closely on foreign and security policy issues, where in our mutual interest.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of the UK's potential ability to influence European foreign policy after the UK has left the EU and no longer attends meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alan Duncan
UK and EU partners will continue to face the same threats and share the same priorities. The UK will leave the formal structures of EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, but the Political Declaration sets out a new model of cooperation that will enable us to continue to cooperate closely on foreign and security policy issues, where in our mutual interest. This will provide mutual influence between independent actors. We hear repeatedly from our EU partners that they want to cooperate closely with us, a desire shared by this Government. We will continue to do this bilaterally, as well as through European and international fora, and multilateral bodies, during and after the Implementation Period.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the extent of potential UK influence on EU sanctions policy after the UK has left the EU.
Answered by Alan Duncan
UK and EU partners will continue to face the same threats, for which sanctions will remain a valuable and effective tool. The UK is a global leader on sanctions and has always played a leading role in the proposal, design and negotiation of EU sanctions. The Political Declaration, setting out the long-term vision for our partnership, envisages continued close UK-EU consultation and cooperation on the development of sanctions where appropriate, while enabling both to pursue independent sanctions policies. During and after the Implementation Period, we will maintain close cooperation and work closely with the EU and EU Member States, in order to ensure that sanctions are designed and implemented effectively. Under the planned Exit arrangements, the UK will be able to impose sanctions using the powers provided by the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government has made to the authorities in the United Arab Emirates as a result of the sentencing of UK student Matthew Hedges.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Following the court hearing on Wednesday 21 November, the Foreign Secretary released a statement and discussed Matthew Hedges' case with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the UK. I have also spoken to Deputy Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash, most recently on 23 November. We welcome the news of Mr Hedges' pardon. He has now returned to the UK and has reunited with his wife
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to ascertain the (a) whereabouts and (b) health and well-being of Matthew Hedges following his sentencing.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We welcome the news of Mr Hedges' pardon. He has now returned to the UK and has reunited with his wife.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assurances the Government received from the United Arab Emirates authorities on Matthew Hedges prior to his conviction and sentencing.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Foreign Secretary personally raised this issue with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 12 November. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue several times with the UAE’s Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed, and most recently on 12 November. We have been clear that we do not agree with the charges but we are grateful to the UAE Government for resolving the issue.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what evidence the UK Government has received from the United Arab Emirates authorities or other sources to support Matthew Hedges’s conviction.
Answered by Alistair Burt
As the Foreign Secretary has said, we have seen no evidence to suggest that there is any truth to these charges.
Asked by: Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in response to the conviction of Matthew Hedges.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Following the court hearing on Wednesday 21 November, the Foreign Secretary released a statement and discussed Matthew Hedges' case with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the UK. I have also spoken to Deputy Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash, most recently on 23 November. We welcome the news of Mr Hedges' pardon. He has now returned to the UK and has reunited with his wife.