Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure the protection of civilians in Ukraine.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Government is working closely with the international community, with Ukraine directly, and across international organisations, to protect the people of Ukraine. The UK has now committed nearly £400 million to support Ukraine during this crisis, including £220 million of life-saving humanitarian assistance. On 7 March, the Prime Minister announced proposals for a new 'International Ukraine Support Group' to coordinate and sustain international support for Ukraine. This Group will capitalise on the unity shown at the UN General Assembly on 2 March in order to maximise sustained political, humanitarian, economic, civil society and civil resilience support. We will continue to work tirelessly with partners to protect Ukrainian civilians and to hold Russia accountable for their actions.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support the Government is providing to the International Criminal Court to assist with that body's investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Russia's use of indiscriminate force against innocent civilians, in its illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, is clear for all to see. It must be investigated and those responsible must be held to account. The UK joined 44 partners on 3 March to launch an OSCE mission to investigate violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by Russia in Ukraine. The UK also led efforts to bring together 37 partners on 2 March to expedite an ICC investigation into Russian war crimes in Ukraine. We are willing to provide the necessary technical assistance to support successful convictions.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) the Ukrainian Government, (b) NATO allies and (c) NGOs to preserve and collect evidence of alleged (i) war crimes and (ii) crimes against humanity to assist the International Criminal Court’s investigation in Ukraine.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Russia's use of indiscriminate force against innocent civilians, in its illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, is clear for all to see. It must be investigated and those responsible must be held to account. The UK joined 44 partners on 3 March to launch an OSCE mission to investigate violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by Russia in Ukraine. The UK also led efforts to bring together 37 partners on 2 March to expedite an ICC investigation into Russian war crimes in Ukraine. We are willing to provide the necessary technical assistance to support successful convictions.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
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 human rights situation in Turkey.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We are clear in our expectation that Turkey, like all countries, should live up to its human rights obligations towards all its citizens. We continue to call on Turkey to act in line with Council of Europe conventions and broader democratic norms, as well as making progress on domestic judicial reforms. We also encourage comprehensive implementation of Turkey's 2021 Human Rights Action Plan. We keep these issues under regular review.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether all Afghan nationals called forward during Op Pitting but remain in Afghanistan have been contacted by her Department.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The UK has supported over 3700 individuals to leave Afghanistan since the end of Op Pitting. This includes vulnerable Afghans and British nationals and their dependents. We continue to work across Government, via FCDO, Ministry of Defence and Home Office to contact those eligible, still in Afghanistan and who wish to leave, including those called forward during the operation, to depart the country safely. This includes holding the Taliban to their commitment to ensure safe passage.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria the British High Commission use when deciding who to relocate from Pakistan under the Afghan Assistance and Relocation Policy.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The criteria used for decisions under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy are set out in paragraphs 276BA1 to 276BS5 of the Immigration Rules.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish details of how the British Council referral pathway will identify people eligible for resettlement in the UK through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement scheme.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
On 6 January the Government announced the opening of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). Under the third pathway, and in the first year, the Government will consider for resettlement British Council and Gardaworld contractors and Chevening alumni at risk. We are working closely with the British Council on how to identify British Council contractors most at risk.