Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme (a) principals and (b) dependents are housed in UK-funded hotel accommodation in (i) Pakistan and (ii) other countries.
Answered by Leo Docherty
As of 05 June, there are approximately (i) 257 principals and 1,231 dependents in Pakistan and (ii) 10 principals and 30 dependents in other third countries assessed as eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme and in UK-funded accommodation.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Iranian counterparts on the execution of prisoners in that country; and if he will make representations to (a) his Iranian counterparts and (b) other international counterparts on the alleged torture, and execution of Saleh Mirhashmi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaqoubi on Friday 19 May 2023.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK Government is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and every country, especially Iran. We raise human rights issues at all appropriate opportunities, including with the Iranian Embassy in London and through our Ambassador in Tehran. We last raised our objections to the death penalty on 17 May. On 9 January and 8 December, the Foreign Secretary ordered the summoning of Iran's most senior diplomat in the UK, to protest Iran's continued imposition of the death penalty on protesters. We will continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure Iran is held to account on the world stage, including through the establishment of a UN Fact Finding Mission.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Pakistani counterparts on the persecution of (a) Ahmadi Muslims and (b) Christians in that country.
Answered by Leo Docherty
Protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), including for minority communities, remains central to the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. On 30 January, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and Minister responsible for Human Rights, raised the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims and the need to safeguard the rights of religious minorities with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada. Lord Ahmad also discussed the importance of promoting respect for all religions during his meeting with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 14 December 2022.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his (a) Uzbekistani counterpart and (b) HM Ambassador to Uzbekistan on (i) human rights in Uzbekistan and (ii) the imprisonment of Duletmurat Tazhimuratov.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The FCDO carefully monitors the human rights situation in Uzbekistan. We regularly raise human rights issues, including the aftermath of the events in Karakalpakstan and the imprisonment of activists and journalists such as Mr Tazhimuradov, with the Uzbek authorities. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon most recently raised human rights with a senior visiting Uzbek delegation on 19 April. We are clear that the right to peaceful protest and respect for media freedom should be protected.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) British nationals and (b) dependents of British nationals have registered their presence in Sudan with his Department as of 24 April.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
As of 24 April, over 2,500 people had contacted the FCDO to either register their presence in Sudan or request assistance from there.
Since 25 April the UK has supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants, Sudanese NHS medical staff and other eligible nationals.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support British Citizens in Sudan who have been unable to reach airports in time for the evacuation flights.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The FCDO continues to run a 24/7 crisis response, and any British nationals in need of consular assistance should contact the FCDO. The final UK evacuation flight from Wadi Saeedna airfield departed on 30 April, following the successful evacuation of 2197 people. On 1 May we ran two evacuation flights to help British nationals to leave Port Sudan, and we have facilitated other people onto ships leaving for safe countries in the region. We continue to provide consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
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 British citizens in Sudan following violence and damage to airport infrastructure in April 2023.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The safety of all British nationals in Sudan is our priority. The FCDO is working 24/7 to support remaining nationals. The situation remains volatile and plans may change depending on the security situation. All eligible British nationals who plan to leave Sudan are encouraged to travel to the British Evacuation Centre as soon as possible. Flights leave from Wadi Saeedna airfield. We can only evacuate British passport holders and immediate family members (spouse/partner and children under 18 years old) with existing UK entry clearance. More than 536 people have now been evacuated from Sudan on 6 UK flights as of 9pm last night (26 April).
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Pakistani counterparts on human rights issues.
Answered by Leo Docherty
Pakistan is an FCDO human rights priority country. The UK Government regularly engages the Government of Pakistan at a senior level on the need to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law. On 30 January, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and Minister responsible for Human Rights, discussed the human rights situation with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in Pakistan on the death of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf worker Ali Bilal.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK Government was saddened to hear of the death of Mr Bilal in March. Where there are credible allegations of human rights violations, we expect these to be investigated in line with due process.
Asked by: Jessica Morden (Labour - Newport East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many people who have been approved under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme are in bridging hotels in Pakistan.
Answered by Leo Docherty
As of 29 March 2023 there are approximately 1000 eligible people being accommodated in UK Government funded hotels in Pakistan approved under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), overall responsibility for which lies with the Ministry of Defence.