Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to help to prevent military action being taken against Syrian civilians by the Assad regime.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The British Government has been clear in its condemnation of regime attacks against civilians in Syria, including the appalling chemical weapons attack on 4 April in Khan Sheikhoun which killed over 70 people and wounded hundreds. We supported the US action against the Shayrat airbase on 7 April. We hope it will deter further use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. By destroying up to 20 strike aircraft, this operation will have reduced the regime's ability to bomb civilians.
The UK also continues to support the UN mediated negotiations on a political settlement. Only a transition away from Asad can deliver sustainable peace.
Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
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 effect of increased revenue from oil production in Libya on the effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed on that country.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The increase in Libya's oil production is a welcome development and should provide additional government revenue to enable the delivery of public services. As production increases, it is important that the international community remains vigilant to ensure the effective enforcement of the sanctions reaffirmed under UN Security Council Resolution 2278 against any attempts to divert oil revenue from legitimate channels, including by parallel institutions that claim to be the legitimate authority but are outside of the Libyan Political Agreement. UN Security Council Resolutions 2259 and 2278 highlight the importance of the Libyan State financial institutions, including the National Oil Corporation, the Central Bank of Libya, and the Libyan Investment Authority, continuing to function for the benefit of all Libyans.
Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Nepal Government on permitting Christian non-governmental organisations to register and carry out humanitarian work unhindered in that country.
Answered by Lord Sharma
I have not personally made representations to the Nepal Government on permitting Christian Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to register and carry out humanitarian work, but our Embassy in Kathmandu has raised the issue of NGO operating space regularly with the Government of Nepal and will continue to do so. The former Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Sir Hugo Swire), also raised the issue of operating problems encountered by NGOs with former Foreign Minister Thapa in July 2016.
Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the treatment of Christians in Nepal.
Answered by Lord Sharma
The right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Nepali Constitution of September 2015, but we have concerns regarding the interpretation of the proposed legislation on religious conversion. There have been some isolated reports of attacks on Christians and some cases where Christians have been arrested by the authorities; we continue to monitor the situation. There is no specific category for registration of religious organisations in Nepal, which therefore have to register as Non-Governmental Organisations.
Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of the Libyan Government of National Accord on compensation for UK victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terrorism.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have made clear to the Libyan authorities that resolution of legacy issues remains a priority for us. I raised the issue of compensation during respective meetings with Prime Minister Serraj and Deputy Prime Minister Maiteq during the London Ministerial on 31 October 2016. We will continue to encourage the Libyan authorities to engage with UK victims, and their legal representatives, seeking redress, including those seeking compensation. Deputy Prime Minister Maiteq is expected to attend the Libya Reconstruction and Investment Forum in London on Thursday 26 January. We hope to have the opportunity to discuss legacy issues in the margins of this event.
Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with Libyan Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmed Maiteeq, on the case of victims of IRA terrorism; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have made clear to the Libyan authorities that resolution of legacy issues remains a priority for us. I raised the issue of compensation during respective meetings with Prime Minister Serraj and Deputy Prime Minister Maiteq during the London Ministerial on 31 October 2016. We will continue to encourage the Libyan authorities to engage with UK victims, and their legal representatives, seeking redress, including those seeking compensation. Deputy Prime Minister Maiteq is expected to attend the Libya Reconstruction and Investment Forum in London on Thursday 26 January. We hope to have the opportunity to discuss legacy issues in the margins of this event.
Asked by: Danny Kinahan (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the £40 million compensation for Chagossian people will be effectively distributed.
Answered by Alan Duncan
I refer the hon. Member to my response to PQ 53323 of 24 November.