Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of religious freedom in Somalia; what representations his Department has made to the Somali Government on improving the protection of religious freedom; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office assesses that Somalia has made some progress towards upholding and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. However, there continue to be serious violations and abuses and a culture of impunity persists. The British Government has not made specific representations to the Somali Government on protection of religious freedoms, but has consistently called for the protection of all human rights in Somalia and for the Somali Government to fulfil its international obligations and commitments. This includes the UK statement at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 27 September 2017 and in the communiqué of the London Somalia Conference held in May 2017.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress has been made on the release of Libyan assets in the UK to compensate the UK victims of Gaddafi-IRA sponsored violence; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK wishes to see a just settlement for all victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue of compensation most recently during his meeting with Prime Minister Serraj in Tripoli on 4 May 2017. He emphasised again the importance the UK attaches to this issue and encouraged the Libyan authorities to engage with UK victims' groups and their representatives. Prime Minister Serraj expressed sympathy with those who had suffered from the previous regime, but it was also clear from his discussion with the Foreign Secretary that the Libyan government continues to face numerous challenges and that progress on the issue of compensation is likely to remain slow. We will continue to make clear to the Libyan authorities that this issue is a priority for us.
Libyan assets in the UK were frozen under UN Security Council Resolution 1973 at the instigation of the Libyan authorities in 2011. In order to amend the UN resolution governing the freezing of Libyan assets in the UK, the Libyan government would need to submit a request to the UN Security Council. The UK is not aware of any such request. There is no legal basis which would permit releasing frozen funds to compensate victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism, and also no legal basis upon which the UK could withhold Libyan assets once the relevant Libyan entities are removed from the list and the assets unfrozen. Once these assets are released they belong to the people of Libya and by law have to be returned for their benefit.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has sought recent legal advice in relation to the espousal of compensation claims by the UK victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The UK Government position remains that it is not able to negotiate with the Libyan Government on individual compensation claims, as these are not government-to-government claims. These are private matters best pursued directly with the Libyan authorities. The FCO does provide facilitation support to campaign groups, where it has been requested and is appropriate.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations within the UN to amend the UN Resolution governing the freezing of Libyan assets in the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Government has no plans to amend the UN Resolution governing the freezing of Libyan assets in the UK. The UN Security Council affirmed by their resolution 1973 (2011) its determination to ensure that assets frozen pursuant to paragraph 17 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall, at a later stage, as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of Libya. UN Security Council resolution 2278(2016) reaffirmed the Security Council's intention in this respect and affirmed the Security Council's readiness to consider changes, when appropriate, to the asset freeze at the request of the Government of National Accord.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of Libya on compensation for UK victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA violence; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We continue to emphasise to the Libyan authorities the importance we attach to this issue, and how we want to see a solution. The Foreign Secretary highlighted the importance of resolving legacy issues to Prime Minister Serraj during the Libya Ministerial in London on 31 October. I raised the issue of compensation with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq on 31 October in London and Prime Minister Fayez Serraj when we met in Tunis in November last year. Legacy issues were also raised with Foreign Minister Siala in the margins of the former Foreign Secretary's visit to Tripoli in April. I have also written to the Libyans seeking an update on legacy issues. However, given that the Minister of Justice post is currently vacant and the present challenges facing Libya, I do not anticipate a swift response.