Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, whether they intend to call on that state (1) to admit the Palestinian refugees living in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan; and (2) to grant them Palestinian citizenship.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, what consideration they have given to the status of "refugee" hitherto applied to residents of Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government who they recognise as the government of the state of Palestine, and where it is located.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what boundaries they recognise for the state of Palestine.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 7 October (HL10285), what steps they have taken to confirm that the commitments made by the Palestinian Authority to reform prisoner payments have been carried out.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the response given on 31 October to question HL10859.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report Schools in the Grip of Terror, published by UN Watch in September; and what plans they have to review the funding provided to UNRWA by the UK.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government takes these allegations seriously and expects the UN to investigate these claims. We continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) work on reform and implementation of the Colonna Report to ensure they meet the highest standards on neutrality and integrity. The UK remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees, while ensuring that aid does not contribute to incitement or extremism. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the proposed recognition of a Palestinian State with the Montevideo Convention.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a political decision that is compliant with international law and has already been taken by a significant majority of UN member states. Taking into consideration the criteria for statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention and other relevant factors, we considered that there was a proper basis for the recognition of the Palestinian State, which was announced on 21 September.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made a recent assessment of reports that the Palestinian Authority is making monthly payments to Hamas fighters imprisoned in Israel.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 26 September to Question HL10094.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what support and methods of assistance they are offering to victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan in the light of a prohibition on contact between male rescuers and female victims.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We have released £4 million in emergency funding to deliver critical healthcare and emergency supplies to those affected by the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. These funds are channelled through the UN, Red Cross and non-governmental organisations with a track record of delivery in the affected area. Our funding includes support for mobile health teams, essential hygiene items for women, maternal care and psychological support to address the most acute needs of women and girls. Reports from partners indicate aid is reaching those most at need and we continue to monitor to ensure support is accessible for all vulnerable women and girls and that women can play a full role in the response. The needs and priorities of women and girls are at the core of the UK's humanitarian response and we are committed to ensuring that at least 50 per cent of people reached by UK aid in Afghanistan are women and girls.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Egypt regarding the investigation carried out by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project in January 2024 which reported that refugees from Gaza are denied entry to Egypt unless they buy a permit.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Egyptian borders are a matter for the Egyptian government. We maintain a close dialogue with Egypt on a range of issues relating to the conflict in Gaza and strongly support the efforts led by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza and deliver a permanent and sustainable peace.