Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers or refugees are currently on Diego Garcia and what is the total annual cost of keeping them there.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are currently 56 Tamil migrants in Diego Garcia, and a further 8 in Rwanda for medical treatment that could not be provided in Diego Garcia.
The FCDO provides funding to the BIOT Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. This funding includes all costs associated with temporarily supporting the migrants on BIOT and supporting their departure from the territory. In FY 23/24, the FCDO provided £29.3million of funding. BIOT is constitutionally distinct and separate from the UK and is administered by the BIOT Administration. The FCDO does not hold a record of a detailed expenditure breakdown. However, the Administration has confirmed that the majority of funding was spent on supporting migrants.
The BIOT Administration has prioritised the welfare and safety of migrants on BIOT at all times. They receive dedicated 24-hour-a day medical care from a medical team formed of doctors, paramedics, registered nurses and mental health practitioners as well as food, accommodation, education, telecoms and recreational facilities.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make arrangements for lawyers to visit their clients on Diego Garcia; and for the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory to sit there, following the recent decision of the United States to withhold logistical support, including food and water, from the court.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The migrant camp is situated within the UK-US military facility in Diego Garcia. The facility is vital for regional and global security; both countries work to ensure its secure and effective operation.
The FCDO continues to work with the BIOT Administration and the U.S. Government to enable the BIOT Supreme Court hearing to go ahead in a manner that respects the unique context on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ensure the implementation of the UNHCR recommendations on the safeguarding and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers on Diego Garcia; and what arrangements are being made to bring those people to the UK, given the UNHCR's finding that Diego Garcia is not a suitable environment.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
BIOT is not a suitable long-term location for the migrants which is why we are working to find a lasting solution.
The BIOT Administration has taken careful note of the UNHCR's recommendations on the safeguarding and welfare of the migrants. The welfare and safety of migrants on BIOT is the Administration's top priority. They are provided with food, telecoms, education and recreational facilities, and 24-hours-a-day medical support., to the extent to which this is possible in Diego Garcia.
The BIOT Administration has worked to put appropriate safeguarding and social care systems in place for the migrants. All allegations of criminality are fully investigated, with criminal charges brought where appropriate.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of diplomatic protection accorded to the EU Ambassador to the UK; and what plans they have, if any, to grant them full diplomatic status.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
We continue to engage with the EU on the long-term arrangements for the EU Delegation to the UK, and it would not be right to pre-empt the outcome of those discussions. Pending the conclusion of an Establishment Agreement, the Head of the EU Delegation and their staff enjoy privileges and immunities under Protocol 7 to the EU Treaties.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what presence they have, if any, in the (1) Al Hol, and (2) Roj, camps in north-east Syria.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Her Majesty's Government does not have any presence in Al Hol or Al Roj internally displaced persons camps in north-east Syria. The UK suspended all services of the British Embassy in Damascus and withdrew all diplomatic personnel from Syria in 2012.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have, if any, that British nationals may be put on trial in north-east Syria.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK Government is clear that those individuals who have fought for, or supported Daesh, whatever their nationality, should face justice and accountability through prosecution in the most appropriate jurisdiction: often in the region where the crimes took place. Her Majesty's Government is not aware of any current trials in north-east Syria involving British nationals.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the return of women and children to the UK from the Al Hol and Roj camps in north-east Syria.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are aware that some British nationals are living in internally displaced persons camps in Syria. This Government's highest priority is to ensure the safety and security of the UK. It is essential that we do not make judgements about the national security risk someone poses based on their sex or age. Women who travelled to join Daesh can, and in many cases do, pose as significant a risk to our national security as returning male fighters. Her Majesty's Government's assessment remains that risks posed by those adults who travelled to Syria are best managed outside the UK, however each case is considered on its own merits. Where we become aware of British unaccompanied or orphaned children, or if British children are able to seek consular assistance, we will work with relevant UK and international partners to facilitate their return where feasible, subject to national security concerns. Each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the arrest and detention of Mubarak Bala, the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The UK Government is monitoring the arrest of Mr Bala closely. The Minister for Africa raised Mr Bala's case with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs during a call on 21 May. Our High Commission in Abuja has also discussed the case with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Police. The recent update from the Nigerian authorities is that Mr Bala has been charged with 'insulting contempt of religious creed and insulting public disturbances' under the penal code and racist and xenophobic offences under the cybercrime act. The charges are made under Kano State Law.
The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti MP, is also personally looking into Mr Bala's case on an urgent basis, and has raised this matter with international counterparts. On 6 May, Mr Chishti spoke with the Chief Executive of Humanists UK and stressed the UK's engagement on this case. The Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, also discussed Mr Bala's case with the Chief Executive on 20 May.
We will continue to stress the importance of a transparent investigation that respects Mr Bala's human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief. Defending freedom of religion or belief for all remains a UK policy priority and we will continue to use our voice internationally to protect this human right, championed by Mr Chishti.