Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
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 use of live ammunition by Israeli forces against Palestinian children in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We regularly raise the issue of the high numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities, encouraging them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We will continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
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 his Israeli counterpart on launching independent investigations into the death of (a) Mohammad Akram Ali Taher Abu Salah on 14 February 2022 and (b) Mohammed Rezq Shehadeh Saleh on 22 February 2022.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We regularly raise the issue of the high numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities, encouraging them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We will continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
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 of the killing of 21 Palestinian children by Israeli forces and armed civilians in the West Bank between January and September 2022; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Leo Docherty
We regularly raise the issue of the high numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities, encouraging them to carry out swift, transparent and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We will continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department has taken in response to the executions of Phyo Zeya Thaw, Kyaw Min Yu, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw in Myanmar.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The UK has condemned the Myanmar military regime's executions of four pro-democracy and opposition leaders as reprehensible acts of violence. We have raised the lack of transparency and due process in the sentencing of the individuals, and continue to call on the military not to use the death penalty against other pro-democracy activists. Both the British Embassy in Yangon and the former Minister for Asia have made it clear the UK stands against the death penalty in all circumstances and advocates for its abolition worldwide.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he plans to make to the government of China about the reports of threats to life caused by lockdowns in the Uyghur regions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
While most countries have now relaxed Covid restrictions, China continues to operate a "zero-Covid policy" across the whole country which frequently results in large scale lockdowns in response to relatively low numbers of cases.
More broadly, we continue to monitor the ongoing human rights violations in Xinjiang. In response the UK has led international efforts to pressure China to change its behaviour. We have imposed sanctions, led joint statements at the UN, taken action to tackle forced labour in supply chains, funded research to expose China's actions, and consistently raised China's human rights violations at the highest levels in Beijing.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what relationship her Department has with the National Unity Government from Myanmar; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
We continue to work closely with the National Unity Government (NUG) and a range of other pro-democracy actors. The NUG is an important voice for many people in Myanmar and we strongly support all those calling for a return to democracy. The former Minister for Asia met with Dr Zaw Wai Soe, the NUG's Minister for Health and Education on 24th May. Dr Zaw Wai Soe also met with another minister, parliamentarians and officials during his trip to the UK. During the meetings we emphasised the UK's condemnation of the coup and highlighted our ongoing efforts to respond to the crisis. The former Minister for Asia also spoke to Daw Zin Mar Aung, the NUG's Foreign Minister on 7 March. We will continue to support those who are helping to protect civic space and human rights to sustain the foundations for democracy and build a common vision for the future.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
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 Pakistan to assist that country in tackling floods.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan, as it faces the consequences of the recent devastating flooding. The UK was one of the first countries to announce funding (£1.5 million) to respond to the humanitarian need. We have now increased this to £16.5 million to support flood relief efforts. The UK contribution now also amounts to over 10% of the joint UN and Government of Pakistan emergency appeal ($160 million).