Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Cypriot counterpart on ensuring that UK nationals residing in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will still be able to readily cross the Green Line to (a) use facilities on the Greek Cypriot side of the island of Cyprus and (b) access Larnaca airport for travel after the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The Prime Minister has been consistently clear that safeguarding the rights of United Kingdom nationals living in the EU after Brexit is a priority. The Withdrawal Agreement has now received Royal Assent. Under the terms of this Agreement, United Kingdom nationals will be able to travel freely within the EU until the end of the transition period on 31 December. During this time there will be no change to the rules on travel to, from or within Cyprus for United Kingdom nationals, including motorists crossing the Green Line. On 16 January, I discussed arrangements beyond the end of 2020 with the Cypriot Minister of the Interior, building on discussions that the British High Commissioner in Cyprus has taken forward. On 24 January, the High Commissioner also wrote an open letter to the British community on the latest developments. We will keep United Kingdom nationals updated as we have more information.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information the Government holds on recent reports of ethnic cleansing in areas of Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Nigeria closely and are concerned by reports of recent clashes in Adamawa State. We do not assess that there is institutionalised persecution of any ethnic groups by the Nigerian authorities, but continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of transparent investigations of human rights violations, accountability at all levels, and the protection of civilians in conflict areas and in places of detention.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has made representations to the Government of Nigeria on the treatment of Biafrans living in the southern region of that country; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The British Government is concerned by recent reports of violence in South East Nigeria and supports efforts to reduce tensions in the region. During my visit to Nigeria in June I raised the issue of community tensions with the Governor of Kaduna. The Government welcomes statements by the Governors of the Northern States of Nigeria, and by Vice President Osinbajo, then Acting President, condemning threats against the Igbo people.
Asked by: Charles Walker (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on self-determination for the Biafran people in the Eastern Region of Nigeria.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The UK fully supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and President Buhari's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria. We are committed to working with Nigeria to help tackle threats to national security and to address the underlying causes of instability which exist within Nigeria.
We echo President Buhari's calls for calm and reconciliation between the ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.