Oral Answers to Questions

Virendra Sharma Excerpts

Tuesday 25th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

2. What recent discussions she has had held with international partners on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

6. What diplomatic steps her Department has taken to help secure safe routes for refugees as part of the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

11. What diplomatic steps she is taking to help secure safe routes in third countries for people seeking to leave Afghanistan.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Virendra Sharma]

Yesterday I heard the shocking story of a refugee stuck in Iran, unable to leave because he has been told he needs to register with the Iranian Government. There have been cases of refugees in Iran being returned to their countries of origin, so he is too scared to register. Will the Minister act to ensure that cases such as that do not occur, secure a safe route and meet me to discuss this special case?

[James Cleverly]

I invite the hon. Gentleman to write to me about the case. My noble Friend Lord Ahmad speaks with countries in the region that border Afghanistan. The House will be unsurprised to hear that our relationship with Iran is more strained than the relationship we have with other countries in the region. Nevertheless, we recognise that land routes across to Iran are an exit route for some people who are in fear of their lives in Afghanistan. It is not possible for me to comment on individual cases without more details.