Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the civil war in Sudan on regional stability.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The conflict in Sudan threatens regional stability. The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues with influential partner countries and institutions such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and African Union (AU), to help end the fighting, stop human rights violations and increase much-needed humanitarian assistance violence. Since 15 April, 1.6 million people have been displaced outside of Sudan, many fleeing to neighbouring countries. The UK recognises the significant pressure that the Sudan crisis is putting on neighbouring countries and commends them for the support they are providing. We are helping those fleeing to neighbouring countries as a result of the conflict, with £7.75 million to South Sudan. This includes a £3.5 million allocation for food security in the Maban refugee camps, and £15 million to Chad.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterparts (a) in Sudan and (b) internationally on de-escalating tensions in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Since my Written Ministerial Statement of 30 November 2023, the UK has continued to call upon the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to effect a ceasefire, protect civilians and enable full humanitarian access to alleviate the Sudanese people's suffering. The UK has also continued to work with a wide range of countries and bodies, including traditional allies, Gulf and African partners, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN, to achieve these goals and to take forward a sustained and meaningful peace process that leads to the resumption of civilian rule in Sudan.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the political situation in Somalia on peace in the region.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
As a close partner of Somalia, the UK is committed to help to build a safer, freer, and more secure country for all Somalis. We are working to support the Federal Government's ambitions to deliver political reform and combat al-Shabaab (AS) a top UK counter-terrorism priority that has significant implications for regional security. We believe that the stability of Somalia is dependent on political reconciliation and a sustainable, inclusive political settlement between the Government and the Federal Member states. This is in the interests of peace in the Horn of Africa.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterparts (a) in Somalia and (b) internationally on de-escalating tensions in Somalia.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK regularly engages with the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners to discuss how best to support Somalia's political, security and development objectives, including through our role as penholder in the UN Security Council. We consistently call for dialogue to resolve political tensions within Somalia and the region.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what guidance his Department issues to British nationals that plan to volunteer to assist the Israeli Defence Forces with the conflict in Gaza.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
FCDO travel advice provides British nationals with information on the risks of travelling or living abroad. The FCDO provides advice to British nationals on the risks of travelling to Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories.
This guidance can be found on Gov.uk.
The UK recognises the right of British nationals with additional nationalities to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationalities. The Israel Defence Force is a recognised armed force and British nationals are both able to volunteer into the Israel Defence Force and eligible for national service. For Israel, one does not have to be Israeli to serve in the Israel Defence Force.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an estimate of the number of British nationals that have fought alongside the Israeli Defence Force in each of the last ten years.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so. The UK recognises the right of British nationals with additional nationalities to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationalities. The IDF is a recognised armed force and British nationals are both able to volunteer into the IDF and eligible for national service. For Israel, one does not have to be Israeli to serve in the IDF.
FCDO travel advice provides British nationals with information on the risks of travelling or living abroad, including in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories, and this guidance can be found on Gov.uk via the below links;
Israel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel/safety-and-security
Occupied Palestinian Territories: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/the-occupied-palestinian-territories/safety-and-security
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an estimate of the number of British nationals fighting alongside the Israeli Defence Force since 7 October 2023.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so. The UK recognises the right of British nationals with additional nationalities to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationalities. The IDF is a recognised armed force and British nationals are both able to volunteer into the IDF and eligible for national service. For Israel, one does not have to be Israeli to serve in the IDF.
FCDO travel advice provides British nationals with information on the risks of travelling or living abroad, including in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories, and this guidance can be found on Gov.uk via the below links;
Israel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel/safety-and-security
Occupied Palestinian Territories: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/the-occupied-palestinian-territories/safety-and-security
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent assessment he has made of the adherence by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Treaty of Guarantee was signed by the Republic of Cyprus, the UK, Greece and Turkey in 1960. We do not make an assessment of the adherence by the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities to the Treaty. As one of the signatories, the UK's support for the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus remains unwavering. We recognise that the status quo creates serious challenges for all Cypriots and continue to support the UN-led process to resolve these through a just and lasting Settlement, in line with UN Security Council Resolutions. We continue to engage all sides on this, including the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of levels of Russian investment in the economy of the Republic of Cyprus.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK and Cyprus have a shared goal to reduce Putin's capacity to fund his illegal war in Ukraine. Following the 2022 invasion, Cyprus has joined the rest of the EU in adopting an unprecedented package of sanctions against Russia. We are committed to working with international partners to ensure sanctions are effective and to tackle sanctions evasion. The UK Government is working with Cypriot authorities to provide technical support for the creation of a new sanctions implementation unit, drawing on international best practice and lessons from the UK's own Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of 3 February 2022 by the then Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and North America in the adjournment debate on Kazakhstan: Anti-corruption Sanctions, Official Report column 574, whether he plans he has to impose sanctions on (a) Timur Kulibayev, (b) Dinara Nazarbayeva, (c) Arvind Tiku, (d) Dariga Nazarbayeva, (e) Kairat Sharipbayev, (f) Nurali Aliyev, (g) Karim Massimov, (h) Aigul Nuriyeva, (i) Vladimir Kim, (j) Eduard Ogay, (k) Kenes Rakishev, (l) Sauat Mynbayev, (m) Alexander Mashkevich, (n) Patokh Chodiev, (o) Bulat Utemuratov, (p) Bolat Nazarbayev, (q) Akhmetzhan Yesimov, (r) Kairat Boranbayev, (s) Nuram Nigmatulin, (t) Baurzhan Baibek, (u) Marat Beketayev, (v) Alexander Klebanov, (w) Yakov Klebanov, (x) Kairat Satybaldy and (y) Samat Abish.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Illicit finance and corruption undermine our interests and values. The UK is fully committed to working with the Government of Kazakhstan to take actions needed to tackle corruption. We provided training last year to build the capacity and resilience of Kazakh financial institutions and we receive continued cooperation from the government on this issue.
The UK Government does not comment on possible future sanction designations. To do so could reduce the impact of the designations.