Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
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 Israeli counterpart on the evacuation of the Bedouin village of Umm al Hiran in Israel.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We are closely following the debate around the issue of unresolved Bedouin land claims, unrecognised Bedouin villages in the Negev, and lack of basic services. The UK continues to encourage the Israeli authorities and Bedouin community to work together to find a solution that meets the needs and respects the rights of the people affected.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the legality of Turkey's operations in the Afrin district of Northern Syria.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The situation in Afrin was discussed in the UN Security Council on Monday 22 January. We are closely following further developments and Ministers are in regular contact with their Turkish counterparts. In all our diplomatic engagement we have urged Turkey to avoid any escalation in violence and to seek to protect civilians, while recognising its legitimate interest in the security of its borders. It remains in our shared interest to focus on achieving a political settlement that ends the war in Syria, and provides stability for all Syrians and the wider region.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
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 counterpart in Turkey on the need for a negotiated peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish question in Syria and in Turkey.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We encourage Turkish and Kurdish political leaders to resolve disputes through negotiation. The Foreign Secretary and our Ambassador to Turkey have emphasised to the Turkish government the importance of returning to the peace process and the need to respect human rights for all citizens. We are clear that PKK violence must end, and stand ready to help in any way we can. In Syria, we continue to work for a sustainable national political settlement which protects the rights of all Syrians, including Kurds.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
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 Turkish counterpart on Turkish military operations around Afrin in northern Syria and the loss of civilian lives.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Foreign Secretary has been in regular contact with Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu about the situation in Afrin. We have urged Turkey to avoid any escalation in violence and stressed the need to protect civilians and avoid casualties. We have also stressed the importance of ensuring that humanitarian assistance can reach the area. Turkey has legitimate security concerns, and we recognise its interest in the protection of its borders. It remains in our shared interest to focus on achieving a political settlement that ends the war and suffering, and provides stability for all Syrians and the wider region.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on Turkey's involvement in the funding of Salafist anti-government forces in Syria.
Answered by Alan Duncan
As members of NATO and the Global Coalition, the UK regularly discusses the situation in Syria with our Turkish Allies. We welcome Turkey’s support for the moderate opposition, and their commitment to the Geneva political process led by the UN to find a resolution in Syria.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussion he has had with Cabinet colleagues on UK arms exports to Turkey.
Answered by Alan Duncan
All export licence applications are considered against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria on a case by case basis, in light of prevailing conditions. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence regularly provide advice to the Department for International Trade on UK arms exports, including to Turkey.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
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 Turkish counterpart on that country's occupation and bombing of the Kurdish border regions of Northern Syria.
Answered by Alan Duncan
As members of NATO and the Global Coalition, the UK regularly discusses the situation in Syria with our Turkish Allies, and monitors events on the ground closely. The situation in Northern Syria remains complex. We encourage all parties to cooperate in the fight against Daesh.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
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 Turkish counterpart on upholding freedom of speech in that country.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We have long encouraged Turkey to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, particularly in the area of freedom of expression. We will continue to engage the Turkish government on these issues and to urge respect for media freedom, which is essential to the long-term health of Turkish democracy.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take help ensure that Kurdish authorities in northern Syria can participate in future peace talks.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Kurdish groups have been represented in Syrian peace negotiations in Geneva through the Kurdish National Council, as part of the opposition High Negotiations Committee. Invitations for any other groups to the Geneva peace negotiations are a matter for the UN Special Envoy for Syria. The UN Envoy has involved Kurdish and other minority groups in civil society discussions alongside formal negotiations in Geneva.
We maintain that any political settlement must be inclusive. All Syrian constituencies must ultimately be represented in discussion on Syria's future – this is a key principle in the 2012 Geneva communique and UNSCR 2254.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will condemn the Turkish Government for imprisoning almost 100 elected representatives and more than 5,000 activists from the Peoples' Democratic Party.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Following the failed coup in 2016 and the subsequent imposition of a State of Emergency, we expect Turkey, as a modern democracy, to undertake any legal processes against elected representatives and activists fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law. It is important that legal measures under the State of Emergency be proportionate, justified and in line with Turkey's democratic principles and its international human rights obligations. We have made these points consistently with Turkish Ministers, as has the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.