Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of Syrian refugees deported from Lebanon in the last year.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UN and NGOs have reported an increase in operations by the Lebanese security forces to detain and deport Syrians in recent months. UNHCR have said that precise data is difficult to gather on exactly how many refugees are being deported from Lebanon. We agree with the UN's assessment that Syria is not safe for voluntary and dignified returns. We are engaging closely with partners and with the Government of Lebanon to emphasise the principle of non-refoulement, and that due process is followed to protect the rights of refugees.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of British nationals in Lebanon.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There is no requirement for British nationals to register with the British Government before travelling to Lebanon. As such, we do not hold an official total of British nationals in Lebanon. However, FCDO consular officials work with the Lebanese authorities and travel providers to establish rough estimates of the numbers of British nationals in Lebanon. We estimate that there are over 10,000 British nationals and dependents in the country at any one time. We urge any British National travelling to Lebanon to check the latest travel advice. (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon)
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of Syria re-entering the Arab League.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK's fundamental assessment remains unchanged. Engaging Assad in the absence of any evidence that his regime will change its behaviour will not help Syrians or the region. We therefore did not support Syria's readmission to the Arab League in current circumstances.
The UK will maintain its policy of non-engagement until the regime engages meaningfully in the UN political process and shows sustained commitment to substantively changing its behaviour. We will continue to encourage our Arab partners that any further engagement with the regime is staggered and supportive of the conditions set out in UNSCR 2254.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what sanctions are imposed on Iran for their financing of Hezbollah.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government condemns Iran's financial support to militant and proscribed groups, including Hizballah which compromises the region's security and escalates already high tensions, with consequences for the international community. In 2019, the UK made its position clear by proscribing Hizballah in its entirety and put an asset freeze in place due to Hizballah's terrorist activity. We support the enforcement of UN prohibitions on Iranian weapons proliferation to non-state actors, including to Hizballah (UNSCR 1701). Our assessment remains that a sovereign Lebanon with strong institutions is the best way to tackle Hizballah's influence in Lebanon.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent conversations with his Iranian counterpart on Iranian (a) financing of Hezbollah and (b) involvement in recent rocket strikes to Israel.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government regularly assesses the impact of Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support to several militant and proscribed groups, including Hizballah. Such activity compromises the region's security, its ability to prosper and escalates already high tensions, with consequences for the international community. It is for this reason that we currently have over 300 sanctions in place against Iran. Hizballah and other terrorist groups must cease all actions that are violent or provocative, or that put civilian lives at risk. As the Foreign Secretary said in his 14 May statement, we welcome the current Egyptian-brokered ceasefire and urge all sides to de-escalate tensions.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing to Lebanon.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Lebanon is experiencing a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. Since 2011, the UK has provided over £850 million in humanitarian, development, and stabilisation assistance in Lebanon. This includes providing non-formal education services to over 150,000 vulnerable children, and humanitarian cash assistance to over 160,000 Syrian refugees and supporting Lebanese communities hosting refugees to improve infrastructure and services. The UK is also a long-standing supporter of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to maintain Lebanon's security internally and on its borders. We will continue to support the most vulnerable but is clear that Lebanon's leaders must deliver economic reforms to alleviate the crisis and set the country on a path to long-term economic stability.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his department plans to provide (a) financial and (b) other support to Taiwan.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK's longstanding policy on Taiwan has not changed: The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values. The UK-Taiwan relationship delivers significant benefits to both sides and has featured a wide range of exchanges and visits, for example on environmental, judicial and educational issues. We also support Taiwanese meaningful participation in international organisations, as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite, and as an observer or guest where it is.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the South African government on the landing of a Russian aircraft owned by Aviacon Zitotrans at Waterkloof airbase.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The FCDO has not had direct discussions with the South African Government on the landing of Aviacon Zitotrans in Waterkloof airbase. The South African Government issued a statement that the plane delivered diplomatic mail and all usual processes were followed.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
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 implications for his policies of the government of South Africa (a) joining naval exercises with Russia and China and (b) raising the possibility of extending diplomatic immunity to visiting heads of state under ICC indictment; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK is working with the UN and partners across Africa to protect the UN charter and insist on the end of Russia's illegal invasion. The UK was disappointed with South Africa's decision to hold a military exercise with Russia, which coincided with the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary discussed a range of issues, including the Ukraine conflict, with South African Foreign Minister Pandor on 6 May 2023. The UK remains committed to our long-term relationship with South Africa. We encourage all International Criminal Court (ICC) States Parties to adhere to the Rome Statute and to co-operate with the ICC in line with their international obligations.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations his Department made to the government of Rwanda about that country's activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK, alongside international partners, continues to raise the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with the Government of Rwanda and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the highest levels. On 13 March the Foreign Secretary and the Rwandan Foreign Minister discussed the importance of meeting commitments made under the Nairobi and Luanda political processes. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution.