Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2023 to Question 5691 on the Gulf Strategy Fund, if he will publish a list of the projects that have already been (a) approved and (b) delivered in the 2023-2024 financial year.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO publishes a summary of projects delivered via the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) on an annual basis. The full list of projects to be delivered in the 2023-2024 financial year is yet to be finalised, but details will be published as usual on GOV.UK towards the end of the financial year.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the announcement by the Secretary of State on 14 December 2023, whether his Department holds data on how many of those who are responsible for settler violence in the West Bank are British nationals.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
We are clear that extremist settlers, by targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability when Israelis and Palestinians are desperate for both, and have urged Israel to take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable. As the Foreign Secretary said on 14 December, we are now banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK, to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts. This will involve making use of existing disruptive immigration measures at our disposal. We are not in a position to comment on individual cases.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the announcement by the Secretary of State on 14 December 2023, whether any of the settlers who will be banned from entering the UK are British passport holders.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
We are clear that extremist settlers, by targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability when Israelis and Palestinians are desperate for both, and have urged Israel to take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable. As the Foreign Secretary said on 14 December, we are now banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK, to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts. This will involve making use of existing disruptive immigration measures at our disposal. We are not in a position to comment on individual cases.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to his counterparts in Bahrain for (a) the unconditional release of Hassan Mushaima and (b) his access to medical (i) care and (ii) records.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO continues to follow and discuss the case of Hasan Mushaima with the Government of Bahrain and oversight bodies. Bahrain is clear that access to medical care for those in detention is guaranteed and is provided as needed. We also encourage those with specific concerns to raise them directly with the appropriate Bahraini oversight body.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Israel following the death of Binyamin Needham in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
The Foreign Secretary's thoughts are with the family of Binyamin Needham at this difficult time. Operationally the FCDO has not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7. The safety and security of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we are doing everything we can to support them. More than 250 people registered with the FCDO, including British Nationals and their dependants, have so far left Gaza.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the death of Binyamin Needham in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
The Foreign Secretary's thoughts are with the family of Binyamin Needham at this difficult time. Operationally the FCDO has not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7. The safety and security of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we are doing everything we can to support them. More than 250 people registered with the FCDO, including British Nationals and their dependants, have so far left Gaza.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the publication by the Human Rights Watch on the sentencing of 13 people to prison in Bahrain, published on 6 December 2023, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Bahrain on due process.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO continues to follow matters that relate to human rights in Bahrain closely and is aware of reporting about the court proceedings referenced. We have previously been assured in other cases (where individuals linked to one charge are tried together) that an individual's right to separate legal representation of their choice is guaranteed by law. The UK continues to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meet its international and domestic human rights commitments.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the publication by Human Rights Watch on the sentencing of 13 people to prison in Bahrain, published on 6 December 2023.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO continues to follow matters that relate to human rights in Bahrain closely and is aware of reporting about the court proceedings referenced. We have previously been assured in other cases (where individuals linked to one charge are tried together) that an individual's right to separate legal representation of their choice is guaranteed by law. The UK continues to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meet its international and domestic human rights commitments.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many projects funded by the Gulf Strategy Fund (a) have been approved, (b) have been delivered and (c) he plans to deliver in Bahrain in the 2023-2024 financial year.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO remains committed to supporting reform in Bahrain, including through projects delivered via the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF). The full list of projects to be delivered by the British Embassy in Bahrain is yet to be finalised but details will be published as usual on Gov.uk towards the end of the financial year.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department has undertaken an Overseas Security and Justice Assistance assessment for providing (a) assistance and (b) arms to Israel since 7 October 2023.
Answered by David Rutley
An Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) assessment is in place for the UK's work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The OSJA assessment process exists to ensure UK overseas security and justice development assistance work meets our human rights obligations and our values. It was most recently updated in January 2023, in line with the Government's routine annual update cycle. It has not been updated since 7 October 2023.