Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
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 potential implications for his Department's policies of the Israeli government's policy on a two-state solution.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people; Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state, and the Palestinian Authority has an important long-term role to play. We must work with our allies to provide serious, practical and enduring support needed to bolster the Palestinian Authority.
We want to see an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible and are calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.
There are five vital steps:
- A political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
- The formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package.
- Removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel.
- The release of all Israeli hostages.
- Hamas no longer in charge of Gaza.
The Foreign Secretary has reiterated these messages with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli political leaders, including during his visit to Israel on 24 January.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to secure a (a) cease fire and (b) peace agreement in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Since conflict erupted in Sudan on 15 April, we have pursued all diplomatic avenues to end the violence, de-escalate tensions and secure humanitarian access. This includes at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, and through cooperation with counterparts from African, Quad (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, US) and European countries. We regret the withdrawal of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from the ceasefire talks , but welcome that the delegations from the SAF and Rapid Support Forces remain in Jeddah. The UK stands ready to support efforts to agree a new ceasefire, with the aim of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities. The UK is now working through a new African Union-led Core Group aimed at getting the parties to the conflict back the negotiating table. The UK continues to advocate for a return to a civilian-led government in Sudan. We urge all Sudanese stakeholders to end hostilities and engage urgently in an inclusive dialogue that will deliver the peace and stability that the Sudanese people deserve.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help expedite safe passage to the UK for Sudanese dependents of British nationals.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Between the 15 April and 3 May, the UK supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants and other eligible nationals. The British Embassy in Khartoum is temporarily closed and the UK Government is only able to provide limited consular assistance to British Nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7. Sudanese nationals who have travelled to a third country and wish to join family members in the UK will need to apply for a visa, if they do not already have the right to enter the UK. Further information can be found online at GOV.UK.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of British nationals located in Sudan; and what proportion of those nationals are children.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Between the 15 April and 3 May, the UK supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants and other eligible nationals. The British Embassy in Khartoum is temporarily closed and the UK Government is only able to provide limited consular assistance to British Nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7. Sudanese nationals who have travelled to a third country and wish to join family members in the UK will need to apply for a visa, if they do not already have the right to enter the UK. Further information can be found online at GOV.UK.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
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 provide ongoing assistance to help British nationals leave Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Between the 15 April and 3 May, the UK supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants and other eligible nationals. The British Embassy in Khartoum is temporarily closed and the UK Government is only able to provide limited consular assistance to British Nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7. Sudanese nationals who have travelled to a third country and wish to join family members in the UK will need to apply for a visa, if they do not already have the right to enter the UK. Further information can be found online at GOV.UK.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Iranian counterpart on the treatment of Iranian women campaigning for their rights.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has made it abundantly clear that Iran must cease its violent repression of women and girls. Since October, the Foreign Secretary has ordered the summoning of Iran's Chargé d'Affaires five times over its human rights violations, including the regime's abhorrent treatment of women protesters. These messages are regularly reinforced through our Ambassador in Tehran. We also worked with partners to successfully remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. These actions ensure the Iranian regime is left in no doubt about the UK's position. We continue to work closely with our international partners to hold Iran to account.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support people in (a) Syria and (b) Turkey following the earthquake in those countries.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK sent a team of 77 search and rescue specialists, equipment and rescue dogs to Turkey on 7 February. We deployed a world class UK medical team and field hospital to Turkey, with surgical capabilities and equipment to provide vital emergency treatment. In Syria, the UK-aid-funded White Helmets have mobilised a major search and rescue effort and the UK has committed significant additional support for their operations. A further humanitarian package, including thousands of tents, blankets and hygiene kits, are being dispatched to Turkey and Syria. The Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, now exceeding £60 million, includes £5 million of the UK Aid Match.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to the Bangladeshi Government in the context of the flooding affecting that country.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The UK provided £195,000 to the START Fund Bangladesh in May to help during the first wave of flooding. In response to the most recent wave of flooding, the UK has contributed a further £442,500 to the START Fund. This funding will support the provision of cash assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, search and rescue operations, shelter management and provisional education materials.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will (a) support a peace dividend for Yemen, (b) allocate funding to that county to restore public infrastructure, including health, education, roads, water supplies and sewerage systems, and (c) encourage regional powers to take similar steps in the context of the recent truce.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK welcomes the extension on 2 June of the UN-brokered truce in Yemen. We urge the parties to continue dialogue towards a durable ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement under UN auspices. After over seven long years of conflict, a negotiated political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen, end humanitarian suffering and enable the conditions for the sustainable recovery of public services. We continue to use our diplomatic relations and role as penholder on Yemen in the UN Security Council to support efforts towards political dialogue and peace.
The UK supports health, water and sanitation institutions across Yemen as part of our £88 million aid commitment this financial year. The UK is active in engaging regional partners on UN-led peace efforts and humanitarian issues and welcomes the recent announcement by Saudi Arabia and the UAE of the $3 billion economic support package for Yemen. The UK will continue to work with regional partners to help address both the immediate and longer term needs of vulnerable Yemenis.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool, Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take to hold the new Taliban Government in Afghanistan accountable to their promises of a peaceful Afghanistan; and what assessment his Department has made of the impact of economic sanctions on (a) the Afghan economy and (b) potential stability of the new Government.
Answered by Nigel Adams
As the Prime Minister has agreed with G7 partners, the international community needs to stand together in order to make clear to the Taliban our expectations, and achieve our counter-terrorism, humanitarian, regional stability and human rights objectives.