Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to refer Iran’s non-compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal to the United Nations Security Council.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UN Secretary-General issues a six-monthly report on the implementation of UNSCR 2231, which underpins the JCPoA. The most recent report, the tenth, was discussed by the Security Council in December 2020. We continue to engage closely with the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council to address Iran's non-compliance and stand ready to bring the issue to the Council as necessary. We strongly urge Iran to return to compliance with its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action commitments without delay.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
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 the effect on the Middle East peace process of the February 2021 International Criminal Court ruling on the situation of Palestine.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We respect the independence of the ICC, and we expect it to exercise due prosecutorial and judicial discipline.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
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 the International Criminal Court on that Court’s determination that it has jurisdiction over East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We respect the independence of the ICC, and we expect it to exercise due prosecutorial and judicial discipline.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority following reports that a Palestinian university has named its new entrance gate after Salah Khalaf, known as Abu Iyad, who planned the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972 in which 11 Israeli athletes were murdered.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Our partnership with the Palestinian Authority includes a commitment from the Palestinian leadership to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and actions that could incite violence or hatred. We have a regular dialogue with the Palestinian Authority in which we reiterate the need for both sides to prepare their populations for peaceful coexistence, including by promoting a more positive portrayal of each other. We continue to urge both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to avoid engaging in, or encouraging, any type of action and language that makes it more difficult to achieve a culture of peaceful coexistence and a negotiated solution to the conflict.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of risk for LGBT people in Chechnya.
Answered by Wendy Morton
We remain deeply concerned about the continuing persecution of LGBT people in Chechnya. Persecution for being LGBT, anywhere in the world, is abhorrent. As we state in our Travel Advice, there are credible reports of arrest, torture and extrajudicial killing of LGBT people in Chechnya.
In December 2018 the UK was one of 16 countries to invoke the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism, requiring an independent OSCE investigation. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism's independent 2018 report confirmed allegations of serious human rights violations in Chechnya against LGBT people and other groups including unlawful detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings. We continue to urge Russia to implement the recommendations made in the Moscow Mechanism report and to end the climate of impunity for human rights abusers in Chechnya.
We continue to raise our concerns about the persecution of LGBT people in Chechnya with the Russian Government at all levels. On 17 June 2020, I raised this with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on Hamas's rule in Gaza.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We regularly discuss Gaza with international counterparts, and in the UN Security Council. Our position on Hamas has not changed: Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. We call on those in the region with influence over Hamas to encourage Hamas to take these steps. Hamas’s ongoing decision to embrace violence and reject the Quartet Principles lies at the heart of the Gazan tragedy. We need a durable agreement that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict and transforms the situation in Gaza.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on reports set out in the BBC documentary, One day in Gaza, that Hamas transported Gazan civilians to violent areas on the border with Israel last year.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The British Government has regular discussions with international counterparts about the situation in Gaza. Whilst Palestinians have the right to peaceful protest, we have been clear that Hamas exploited the border protests for their own benefit. Their incitement of violence is unacceptable. When I visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in May, I pressed the importance of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and international partners working together to ensure a durable solution for Gaza.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the UK having observer status at the Nordic Council.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Government is committed to strengthening relationships and cooperation with the countries of the Nordic Council, both bilaterally and through regional fora. We follow with interest the Council's regional work and seek opportunities, when appropriate, for discussion with Nordic Council interlocutors on areas of common interest. Observer status and attendance at sessions of the Nordic Council is at the invitation of the Presidium of the Council.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the root causes of political destabilisation in Lebanon.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Lebanon faces a range of political challenges. We look forward to the holding of elections on 6 May 2018. This is an important opportunity for the Lebanese people to express their views, which will in turn be conducive to addressing the pressing concerns of Lebanon's citizens, and to enhanced cooperation with the international community.The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Lebanon for shared stability, security and prosperity.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken since 23 June 2016 to promote trade and diplomatic connections between the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
Answered by Lord Swire
We are committed to strengthening our trade and diplomatic relationships with Commonwealth members, with whom we already enjoy important trading partnerships. In March we announced that we would co-host with Malta the inaugural Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting early next year, which will be organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). The UK will also host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in early 2018, which will be a further opportunity to promote greater trade and investment within the Commonwealth.