Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider their funding of UNRWA, in the light of reports that (1) Ismail Haniyeh, and a bodyguard of Yahyah Sinwar, were both former UNRWA teachers; and (2) UNRWA staff have stolen food intended for Gazans.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We were appalled by the allegations that those involved in the 7 October attacks against Israel may have included United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staff. The Secretary-General and the Commissioner General of UNRWA took these allegations seriously and acted decisively. We expect robust processes to continue to be followed. UNRWA must meet the highest standards of neutrality as laid out in Catherine Colonna's report, including staff vetting and acting swiftly when concerns arise. The UK has allocated £1 million to support UNRWA to implement the report's recommendations. The FCDO will continue its own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA, which plays a vital role in saving lives in Gaza. We separately note that UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed on 17 October that allegations a staff member died alongside former Hamas leader Yahyah Sinwar were unfounded. We have not received reports of UNRWA staff stealing food, nor are we aware of allegations regarding Ismail Haniyeh being reported to UNWRA.
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 continuing inability of Chagossians to return to Diego Garcia and the compliance with international human rights law of their current situation.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As a result of the agreement reached on 3 October, we intend that Chagossians will be able to access the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, under a new programme of visits to be established by the UK and Mauritius as soon as possible. This was a priority for the UK in negotiations. Mauritius has additionally confirmed its intention to launch a programme of resettlement for the Archipelago. This will not include Diego Garcia, reflecting its status as an active military base with no permanent population.
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 any inconsistency between the diplomatic pronouncements of (1) the Consul General in Jerusalem, and (2) the British embassy in Israel; and what plans they have, if any, to ensure such statements are consistent.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The British Embassy in Tel Aviv and British Consulate General in Jerusalem work closely together as part of one diplomatic network to press for an immediate ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict. We do not agree that there have been any inconsistencies between public statements by either mission, both of which represent the policies of the UK Government. We condemn personal attacks on individual members of our diplomatic staff, and reject attempts to portray differences in position which do not exist. An immediate ceasefire is the first step towards a lasting solution. Both the Embassy and Consulate General remain open and continue to work as normal, including providing services to British nationals.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government in the light of the Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality, published for the Secretary-General on 20 April, what assessment they have made of subsequent reports, and videos, of UNRWA's involvement with Hamas and its infrastructure.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We take these reports seriously and are following up with United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to establish the facts. We expect UNRWA to meet the highest standards of neutrality as laid out in Catherine Colonna's report, including staff vetting. We welcome UNRWA's decisive action and support their decision to terminate the contracts of individuals involved in the October 7 atrocities. Catherine Colonna's review found that UNRWA had policies and procedures in place to ensure the organisation's neutrality. The FCDO speaks regularly to UNRWA and to other international donors on UNRWA management reforms, including at their bi-annual Advisory Commission meeting that met in June.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what information is held by the Consul General in Jerusalem on reported Hamas involvement in UNRWA.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We have taken a close interest in the allegations of Hamas involvement in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and subsequent investigations, on behalf of His Majesty's Government. We welcome UNRWA's decisive action and support their decision to terminate contracts of individuals involved in the October 7 atrocities. Anyone who participated in the horrific October 7 attacks should face the full force of the law.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to monitor UNRWA; and to ensure that international development funds do not indirectly support terrorist organisations.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government is confident that United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is taking action to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality and is strengthening its procedures. £1 million of the £21 million of new UK funding will be earmarked to support UNRWA to implement the management reforms recommended by the Colonna review. Together with other donors, we will continue to monitor UNRWA's progress on implementation of its action plan. The FCDO will also continue to conduct our own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA.
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 level of support among Arab residents of Jerusalem for Israeli control of the city; and to what extent this is a consideration for their policy towards Israel and Palestine.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We have not made a specific assessment of this.
We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. A political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution is one of the vital elements for a lasting peace, with Jerusalem as shared capital of both Israel and Palestine.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any role in selecting and overseeing those local partner organisations of the Norwegian Refugee Council that receive money donated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; and, if so, what procedures are used.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a leading international NGO and a trusted aid partner to the FCDO providing life-saving support to vulnerable populations around the world. The FCDO has a longstanding relationship with NRC, which is headquartered and registered in Oslo. NRC has a UK presence and was registered as a UK charity in December 2023.
FCDO funds go directly to NRC, which in turn may provide funds to its local partner organisations. The exact selection process and any HMG involvement will vary according to the programme and context. The FCDO carries out due diligence assessments of partners it funds directly, including the NRC. The FCDO's Programme Operating Framework and associated guidance enables staff to ensure that FCDO partners in receipt of aid funds are operating in compliance with sanctions and counter-terrorism legislation. The FCDO due diligence process should consider whether partners have procedures in place to manage the risk of aid diversion in their delivery chains, such as the risk of support to sanctioned entities or proscribed terrorist groups.
We are not aware of any funds provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Norwegian Refugee Council being transferred to local partner organisations that have been designated as terrorist organisations by the government of Israel.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, before making donations to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), they carry out counter-terrorism vetting of the NRC and its local partner organisations; and whether they are aware of any counter-terrorism vetting by the NRC itself of its local partner organisations.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a leading international NGO and a trusted aid partner to the FCDO providing life-saving support to vulnerable populations around the world. The FCDO has a longstanding relationship with NRC, which is headquartered and registered in Oslo. NRC has a UK presence and was registered as a UK charity in December 2023.
FCDO funds go directly to NRC, which in turn may provide funds to its local partner organisations. The exact selection process and any HMG involvement will vary according to the programme and context. The FCDO carries out due diligence assessments of partners it funds directly, including the NRC. The FCDO's Programme Operating Framework and associated guidance enables staff to ensure that FCDO partners in receipt of aid funds are operating in compliance with sanctions and counter-terrorism legislation. The FCDO due diligence process should consider whether partners have procedures in place to manage the risk of aid diversion in their delivery chains, such as the risk of support to sanctioned entities or proscribed terrorist groups.
We are not aware of any funds provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Norwegian Refugee Council being transferred to local partner organisations that have been designated as terrorist organisations by the government of Israel.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they fund directly any local partner organisations of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a leading international NGO and a trusted aid partner to the FCDO providing life-saving support to vulnerable populations around the world. The FCDO has a longstanding relationship with NRC, which is headquartered and registered in Oslo. NRC has a UK presence and was registered as a UK charity in December 2023.
FCDO funds go directly to NRC, which in turn may provide funds to its local partner organisations. The exact selection process and any HMG involvement will vary according to the programme and context. The FCDO carries out due diligence assessments of partners it funds directly, including the NRC. The FCDO's Programme Operating Framework and associated guidance enables staff to ensure that FCDO partners in receipt of aid funds are operating in compliance with sanctions and counter-terrorism legislation. The FCDO due diligence process should consider whether partners have procedures in place to manage the risk of aid diversion in their delivery chains, such as the risk of support to sanctioned entities or proscribed terrorist groups.
We are not aware of any funds provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Norwegian Refugee Council being transferred to local partner organisations that have been designated as terrorist organisations by the government of Israel.