Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Emir of Qatar on improving working conditions and valuing the human rights of workers in Qatar.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Ministers were able to discuss a range of issues with His Highness the Amir of Qatar during his visit in July. Qatar has made significant progress to improve the situation for its migrant workers since it won the right to host the World Cup. The International Labour Organisation opened an office in Doha this year to work with Qatar on migrant workers’ rights. The issue of conditions for migrant workers in Qatar is one we regularly raise with our counterparts and we are ready to offer further support to Qatar in its efforts.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Nicaraguan Government on recent protests in that country.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK has been very clear with the Nicaraguan Government that they must take responsibility for ending the current violence and protecting human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
These messages have been delivered in two meetings between the Head of Latin America Department and the Presidential Advisor on International Relations, and in a public statement by the British Ambassador to Nicaragua on 5 June that was featured by the Nicaraguan press. We also raised our concerns at the Organisation of American States General Assembly on 5 June in Washington where the UK is a Permanent Observer.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns with the Nicaraguan Government at every opportunity.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he raised the case of the chair of Amnesty International Turkey, Taner Kılıç, during the recent visit of President Erdogan to the UK.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We have raised the detention of Taner Kilic with the Turkish Government at all levels. Most recently the Prime Minister discussed the case with President Erdogan during his recent visit to the UK. We urge Turkey to ensure Mr Kilic's release from pre-trial detention and to bring his case to a transparent, fair conclusion.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
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 Iranian authorities to secure the release of Kamal Foroughi.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Foreign Secretary regularly expresses his concerns about all our dual national cases with Foreign Minister Zarif. Our Ambassador in Tehran raises these cases at every opportunity as part of his regular discussions with the Iranian Government. I most recently raised this case with the Iranian Ambassador to the UK on 14 November.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
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 humanitarian effect on Palestinians of UK arms sales to Israel.
Answered by Alistair Burt
While we have not made any assessment on this issue, the Government takes its defence export responsibilities extremely seriously and operates some of the most robust export controls in the world. We only approve equipment which is for Israel's legitimate self defence and where we are satisfied it would be consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and other relevant commitments. We continue to assess the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and take into account the latest circumstances when assessing licence applications.
Asked by: Jared O'Mara (Independent - Sheffield, Hallam)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on Palestinian refugees' right of return to Israel and the Occupied Palestian Territories.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Government's policy is that the question of the right of return of Palestinian refugees needs to be addressed in a final status agreement, negotiated between the two parties, and including a just, fair and agreed settlement for refugees.