Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) the extent of and (b) who is responsible for growth in the level of violence in the Donbas region of Ukraine; and whether such violence constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The increase in fighting and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in recent days around the town of Avdiivka in the Donbas represents a serious escalation. We have called publicly for all sides to demonstrate restraint, facilitate humanitarian access, and to commit to a full and sustained ceasefire, in line with the provisions of the Minsk Agreements.
Such fighting is clearly in breach of the ceasefire commitments set out in the Minsk Agreements. We are clear that the conflict in Ukraine has been caused, and is sustained by, deliberate Russian destabilisation of Ukraine.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is planning to take in respect of Russia as a result of the findings of the independent MH17 Joint Investigation Team.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Joint Investigation Team's ongoing investigation is essential to ensure that those responsible for this incident are brought to justice. Its initial criminal report has provided clear evidence that the missile that brought down MH17 was Russian-made, and launched from within territory held by Russian-backed separatist groups. We have urged Russia to engage constructively with the findings, the ongoing investigation, and any resulting attempts to prosecute those identified as the perpetrators.
Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the treatment of the Tatar minority in occupied Crimea.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The human rights situation in Crimea has deteriorated significantly since the Russia's illegal annexation. We are deeply concerned about the treatment of Crimean Tatars who face regular harassment including arrests, detentions, disappearances, threats to seize property, and restrictions on their rights of worship, assembly and expression, including a ban on the Mejlis council. We are aware of reports that 18 Crimean Tatars are currently held in Russian-run prisons and several more are under arrest for opposing the illegal annexation of Crimea. International human rights organisations such as the UN and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe are barred from entering Crimea. We continue to call on Russia to allow them immediate and unfettered access.Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the (a) UK's and (b) EU's sanctions policy for Russia.
Answered by David Lidington
The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts – in the EU, NATO, G7 and OSCE – to hold Russia to account for its aggression in Ukraine, and will continue to do so. The European Council, like the G7, has agreed that sanctions are linked to full implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Government will continue to push for this commitment to be upheld. EU economic sanctions against Russia were recently extended by unanimity for a further six months, until 31 January 2017.Asked by: Tom Blenkinsop (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK emergency travel documents have been issued to (a) British nationals, (b) non-British Commonwealth citizens and (c) non-British EU citizens in each year since 2010.
Answered by Mark Simmonds
Between 01 January 2010 and 31 May 2014 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued 115,239 Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs). The breakdown by year is as follows:
• 2010 – 14,367
• 2011 – 27,467
• 2012 – 28,880
• 2013 – 30,006
• 2014 to 31 May – 14,609
A further breakdown of this information according to nationality is not available and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.