Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled The challenge of far-right ideology to democracy and human rights in Europe, which was held at Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10 October 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK welcomed the debate on far-right ideology and human rights within Europe. We put open societies and the protection of human rights around the world at the heart of what we do. Ideologies aiming to undermine human rights, democracy and rule of law are in direct opposition of our core values.
The UK takes the challenge of far-right ideology seriously. Our counter terrorism strategy CONTEST is threat agnostic, and applicable and effective in tackling Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism. We continue to work with our partners to defend democracy and freedom globally and hold those who violate human rights to account.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Escalation of violence in the Middle-East following the recent Hamas attack on Israel, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 11 October 2023.
Answered by David Rutley
We echo the sentiments of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in wishing strength to all those who have become victims of the enormous tragedy in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We express our steadfast and united support to Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. Hamas does not speak for or act in the interests of the Palestinian people. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself and its military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. The Prime Minister has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 12 October. He reiterated the need to ensure the protection of innocent civilians and underlined the importance of safe humanitarian access to Gaza.
The UK Government has authorised the sending of a significant support package to the region, UK military assets will support regional stability and prevent escalation. On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced a further £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the escalating conflict. We will continue to work with our regional partners so that essential aid can reach civilian populations in Gaza including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the United States imposing sanctions on the Lebanese organisation Green Without Borders.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK has long condemned the destabilising activities of Hizballah and its affiliates, including Green Without Borders, in the region. Hizballah's activities, particularly along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, pose a grave threat to civilians living in the vicinity, as well as UN peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). At this time of heightened tension in the region, there is an urgent need for calm along the Blue Line. We do not speculate about future UK sanctions designations.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Recent political developments in Poland at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We recognise the worries that many countries, including Poland, have over the malign influence or interference of Russia in their domestic agenda. HMG expressed concerns in June 2023 that Poland's proposed State Commission on Russian Influence could undermine trust in the electoral process, which would not be in anyone's interests. President Duda has proposed amendments to the law, which the Polish parliament is considering. This is an important step. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has urgently requested an opinion on the State Commission law. We now await the opinion of the Venice Commission. As a good friend of Poland, the UK government will continue to follow this issue closely.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the address made by the President of Slovenia at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 21 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We welcome President Nataša Pirc Musar's speech in Strasbourg to mark 30 years of Slovenia's membership in the Council of Europe (CoE) and thank her for highlighting the devastating consequences of Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine.
We agree with President Pirc Musar's remarks that the Council of Europe must remain a global standard-bearer in addressing new and evolving human rights challenges, including on the environment and AI. The Prime Minister and Lord Ahmad were pleased to attend the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik alongside nearly forty other European leaders, including President Pirc Musar. Against the backdrop of Putin's heinous war against Ukraine, we stand united our European partners to defend our common values and support freedom, democracy and the rule of law across the continent.
We share the President Pirc Musar's focus on the need to de-escalate current tensions between Serbia and Kosovo and the importance of avoiding any further inflammatory actions or rhetoric and for a return to the EU-facilitated Dialogue.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK Government has repeatedly called for the opening of the Lachin Corridor to civilians and the movement of humanitarian cargo. The UK has a strong record of supporting humanitarian responses in this region and FCDO officials are in close contact with humanitarian agencies about the current situation. We will continue to support constructive dialogue in further contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments in the coming months. The UK values the work of the Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe as well as our UK delegation, in producing reports and resolutions to address urgent issues in Europe.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the budget of the Council of Europe at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 21 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
As a Grand Payeur and founding member of the Council of Europe, we are continuing to engage to ensure the Council of Europe works effectively and efficiently, whilst remaining sustainable. We will always push to see clear cost savings, increased efficiency and effectiveness where possible.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Observation of the parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkiye at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 19 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We have noted the findings of the independent election observation missions in the recent Turkish Presidential and Parliamentary elections, including by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in their report and debate on 19 June 2023 and by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). We note from their conclusions that the elections offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives and voter participation remained high, but there remains more work to do to ensure media freedom and fair judicial treatment of political opponents in Turkey. In our regular interaction with Turkey, we consistently encourage Turkey to uphold the rule of law, protect freedom of expression and assembly and to live up to its international obligations as a founding member state of the Council of Europe. The UK, along with all other Council of Europe member States, will respond to the report and debate through the Committee of Ministers.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the address by Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK stands in solidarity with the Belarusian people, who have shown immense courage in the face of relentless repression by the Lukashenko regime. We are clear that this regime neither speaks nor acts in the name of the overwhelming majority of Belarusians, and we continue to work with likeminded partners to put pressure on the regime publicly and privately for their human rights violations. We also take very seriously our responsibilities to Belarusian nationals in the UK, and the Security Minister's Defending Democracy Taskforce is driving forward work in response to threats of foreign interference, including transnational repression.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the presentation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary on the political situation in that country at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 19 June 2023.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK Government is aware of the presentation by Foreign Minister Szijjártó on 19 June which sets out the position of the Hungarian Government on a variety of topics, including on the war in Ukraine. These are longstanding policy positions of the Hungarian Government with which the UK is familiar. We maintain a constructive dialogue with Hungary, but where we have worries we do not hesitate to raise them. In recent engagements with the Hungarian Government the UK has stressed the importance of remaining united against Russia, and in steadfast support of Ukraine, and we will continue to do so.