Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the government of Haiti in establishing conditions for a fair and transparent election process.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK continues to monitor developments in Haiti. We support the work being done by the UN and others to take forward the electoral process. We hope that this will enable credible elections to take place so that democratic institutions can be restored in the country as soon as possible.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to pursue sanctions against Chinese officials involved in human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region.
Answered by Nigel Adams
On 6 July, the UK Government established the Global Human Rights ('Magnitsky') sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament. This sanctions regime allows for asset freezes and travel bans on targeted individuals and organisations. It is not appropriate to speculate who may be designated under the sanctions regime in the future, as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations. We will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has received any reports of incidents involving British journalists in the US since May 2020.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of a small number of British journalists and camera crews being affected by the US police response to the recent unrest. Our Embassy in Washington has raised the issue with the US Administration. Journalists all around the world must be free to do their job and to hold authorities to account without fear of arrest or violence.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of continued shelling of the Al-Khadra Hospital in Tripoli by forces allied to Khalifa Haftar.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The UK is deeply concerned at reports that shells fired by forces opposed to the Government of National Accord landed on Al-Khadra hospital on 7 April. Intentional shelling of a hospital would constitute a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law. We continue to urge all parties, including General Haftar, to de-escalate, commit to a ceasefire and return to UN-led political talks. Libya remains vulnerable to a significant coronavirus outbreak. Fighting must stop to allow Libyan health authorities and aid agencies to respond to the pandemic.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken with international allies to tackle the blocking of water supplies to Tripoli by forces allied to Khalifa Haftar.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We are deeply concerned that civilians continue to suffer inexcusably from the conflict in Libya. Cutting off water supplies in Tripoli as coronavirus hits will seriously endanger civilian lives. We have raised this issue with the Government of National Accord, and remain active in wider efforts to end the current fighting. Ministers maintain regular contact with regional and European partners on Libya, and continue to call on all parties, including General Haftar, to de-escalate, support a ceasefire and a return to UN-led political talks.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
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 his Iranian counterpart on the jailed British national Anoosheh Ashoori.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The Foreign Secretary raised his concerns about dual national detentions with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif on 6 January. The Prime Minister raised his concerns with Iranian President Rouhani on 9 January. The former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Dr Murrison, raised dual-national cases with the Iranian ambassador on 13 January. We remain extremely concerned about the welfare of all British-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iran, including Mr Anoosheh Ashoori. We have made clear to Iran that we expect them to ensure he is treated humanely and in line with international standards. We are committed to ensuring that we do everything we can, including continuing to press the Iranian authorities for consular access.