Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of trends in reports of torture and human rights abuses of citizens by Turkish authorities; and whether her Department has plans to take steps in response to that matter.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We are clear in our expectation that Turkey, like all countries, should live up to its human rights obligations towards all its citizens. We welcome Turkey's response to the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) 2019 report which reinforced its commitment to zero tolerance against torture and determination to cooperate with the CPT. The CPT also visited Turkey in January 2021 as part of its regular monitoring of conditions. As an active member of the Council of Europe, we support the important monitoring work of the CPT.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and what steps the Government is taking to help maintain peace in that country.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The UK takes seriously talk of secession and other threats to undo the progress of the last twenty-six years in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). These are clear challenges to the peace and stability envisaged by the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP). Those responsible must cease this destabilising and divisive rhetoric. As a member of the UN Security Council and Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, the UK is committed to upholding the GFAP in BiH. The UK coordinates with our partners to support BiH's territorial integrity and to maintain the peace stabilisation force (EUFOR) and the Office of the High Representative. We work closely with various multinational bodies such as the Council of Europe, NATO, the OSCE and UN to encourage the authorities in BiH to meet their obligations to those who elected them. On 13 December, the Foreign Secretary hosted Western Balkans Foreign Ministers at Lancaster House, and took forward discussions on how to support stability in BiH. Following this meeting, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, visited BiH and reiterated the UK's enduring commitment to the country.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Indonesian counterpart on authorising a visit to West Papua by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia, including the provinces of Papua and West Papua. The UK Government continues to support the efforts of the Indonesian authorities and civil society to address the needs and aspirations of the Papuan people. We support the proposed visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Papua and encourage both sides to agree on dates for a visit. Former Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, discussed the proposed visit with UNHCHR in June 2021 and we regularly discuss Papua with our Indonesian counterparts.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 21 January 2021 to Question 142052; Western Sahara: armed forces how many Moroccan soldiers are based (a) along the berm and (b) elsewhere in Western Sahara.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
According to the UN, Morocco maintains a significant security presence in Western Sahara, primarily in fortified positions along a berm running the entire length of the territory.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of the Afghan evacuees by the UK are employees of (a) non-governmental organisations and (b) charities; and what proportion of those evacuees, excluding wives and dependents, are women.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We do not currently hold the specific data which has been requested. However, we can confirm that between 15 and 29 August, the UK evacuated over 15,000 people from Afghanistan. That includes: over 8,000 British Nationals, close to 5,000 Afghans who loyally served the UK, along with their dependents, and around 500 special cases of particularly vulnerable Afghans, including campaigners for women's rights, human rights defenders, Chevening scholars, journalists, judges and many others. All these figures include dependants.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK Government has plans to supply covid-19 vaccines direct to authorities in West Papua.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK's G7 Presidency has championed equitable access to vaccines, and in June the Prime Minister announced at the G7 Leader's Meeting that the UK will share 100 million doses within the next year, 30 million of those by the end of 2021. 80% of these will go to COVAX, which remains best-placed to allocate vaccines to where they will be most effective. To date, COVAX has delivered 11.7 million vaccines in Indonesia. These have been distributed across the country, including the provinces of Papua and West Papua. The Foreign Secretary met with Health Minister Budi in April this year during his visit to Indonesia, and also discussed joint efforts to tackle Covid-19 with Foreign Minister Marsudi at the G20 summit on 29 June.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he had with the Indonesian President and Foreign Minister relating to human rights in West Papua during their visit in April 2021.
Answered by Nigel Adams
During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Jakarta on 6-7 April he attended the Third Indonesia - UK Partnership Forum. The joint statement from this dialogue highlighted both countries' commitment to promoting international law and the Rules Based International System, including democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Foreign Secretary discussed the UK's position on Papua with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. The UK fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia and regards the provinces of Papua and West Papua as an integral part of Indonesia.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the transfer of Moroccan citizens into occupied Western Sahara is a breach of the Geneva conventions.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
As the Foreign Secretary stated on 11 December 2020, the UK regards the status of Western Sahara as undetermined. We support UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of whether Morocco’s annexation or Western Sahara a breach of international law.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
As the Foreign Secretary stated on 11 December 2020, the UK regards the status of Western Sahara as undetermined. We support UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Indonesian counterpart on the deaths of three civilians on 4 June 2021 in Ilaga, Puncak Regency of West Papua.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are aware of increased tensions in the Papua region and we continue to monitor developments closely. We are aware of this incident involving civilians and my thoughts are with the families of those involved. We urge all parties to refrain from escalating tensions and welcome recent dialogue between security forces, the Indonesian Human Rights Commission and Papuan civil society leaders to ensure the protection of civilians during law enforcement operations in the region. The UK fully respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia and regard the provinces of Papua and West Papua as an integral part of Indonesia.