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Written Question
British Indian Ocean Territory: Tamils
Monday 9th September 2024

Asked by: Uma Kumaran (Labour - Stratford and Bow)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on a decision regarding the most vulnerable Tamil refugees and migrants in the British Indian Territory of Diego Garcia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is working closely with relevant departments and BIOT Administration to respond to the health and welfare needs of all the migrants present in Diego Garcia.


Written Question
Bangladesh: Demonstrations
Tuesday 30th July 2024

Asked by: Uma Kumaran (Labour - Stratford and Bow)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Bangladesh on the (a) student protests and (b) potential restoration of (i) internet and (ii) mobile services in that country.

Answered by Catherine West

The Foreign Secretary and I have publicly called for an immediate end to the violence and unrest in Bangladesh, and for access to the internet and communications services to be restored. I discussed my concerns regarding the situation with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to London on 19 and 23 July. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh has engaged with Bangladesh government ministers to reinforce messages on de-escalation, the need for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions and for communications to be restored. We will continue to call on all sides to find a peaceful way forward.