Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed with the government of Eritrea the case for seeking to relieve the current levels of migration across the Mediterranean by closing the borders in Eritrea.

Addressing irregular migration requires a comprehensive plan that includes disrupting criminal trafficking and smuggling networks, and working with source countries to address the factors that cause migrants to leave their homes in the first place through developmental aid, addressing human rights abuses and tackling conflict.

We remain deeply concerned by the high levels of irregular migration from Eritrea and have stepped up our bilateral dialogue on this issue. Our dialogue has not included discussion of closing Eritrea’s borders.