Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
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 Israeli counterpart on the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters near Malta on 2 May 2025.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the serious incident involving a ship off the coast of Malta early last month. We have been in contact with local authorities and understand that no UK citizens were on board and there were no casualties. The Foreign Secretary continues to reiterate to Israel that they must lift the block on aid to Gaza, including with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
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 Israeli Government on the NGO taxation bill which has been proposed in the Israeli Knesset.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are deeply troubled by the proposed non-governmental organisation (NGO) taxation bill which threatens to undermine the ability of NGOs to operate effectively and continue their important work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We continue to raise these concerns with the Israeli government.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
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 Pakistani counterpart on the human rights situation in Balochistan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations in Pakistan, including in Balochistan province. Our High Commission in Pakistan regularly raises these issues with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level, including the need to address allegations of enforced disappearances. I underlined the importance of upholding civil and political rights to Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Azam Tarar, in November 2024. Lord Khan of Burnley discussed the protection of human rights, including the rights of protesters, in a meeting with Minister Tarar in April 2025. The UK will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee individuals' rights as laid down in Pakistan's Constitution and in accordance with international standards.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
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 Pakistani counterpart on ending enforced disappearances.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is clear that the freedom to hold and express views without censorship, intimidation or unnecessary restriction is a cornerstone of democracy. We remain deeply concerned over reports of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances. Our High Commission in Islamabad continues to raise this with the Pakistani authorities at the highest levels and has raised the recent case of the detention of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, with Pakistan's Minister for Law and Justice.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 40483 on Mahmoud Khalil, whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on the detention of pro-Palestinian protestors by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As previously stated in response to Question 40483, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not comment on personal matters relating to former members of staff. Discussions surrounding the detention of non-British nationals are not for the FCDO to comment on, because it is a matter for the US and the nations of those detained.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking diplomatic steps to support the Kurdistan Workers Party – Turkey peace process.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government maintains a regular dialogue with Turkey, as a key North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and strategic partner. Ministers have spoken with their Turkish counterparts in recent days to discuss the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announcement and other issues. The decision by the PKK to disarm and disband marks an important step towards peace and security for the people of Turkey and the wider region. Abdullah Ocalan's imprisonment follows a domestic Turkish legal ruling. The UK remains committed to supporting efforts that reduce conflict and promote stability.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the detention of Abdullah Ocalan.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government maintains a regular dialogue with Turkey, as a key North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and strategic partner. Ministers have spoken with their Turkish counterparts in recent days to discuss the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announcement and other issues. The decision by the PKK to disarm and disband marks an important step towards peace and security for the people of Turkey and the wider region. Abdullah Ocalan's imprisonment follows a domestic Turkish legal ruling. The UK remains committed to supporting efforts that reduce conflict and promote stability.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the disbanding of the Kurdistan Workers Party.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government maintains a regular dialogue with Turkey, as a key North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and strategic partner. Ministers have spoken with their Turkish counterparts in recent days to discuss the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announcement and other issues. The decision by the PKK to disarm and disband marks an important step towards peace and security for the people of Turkey and the wider region. Abdullah Ocalan's imprisonment follows a domestic Turkish legal ruling. The UK remains committed to supporting efforts that reduce conflict and promote stability.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was discussed during his most recent meeting with his Israeli counterpart.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary met with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 15 April during his visit to London to discuss the need for an end to the aid blockade in Gaza and for all parties to push towards an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages who remain in Gaza. He also raised his concern for aid worker safety and pushed Foreign Minister Sa'ar for the Military Advocate General to provide a response on the World Central Kitchen strike in April 2024. The UK Government continues to engage with Israeli counterparts on a variety of issues, including the conflict in Gaza. This engagement is vital for the UK as we continue to press towards a long-lasting ceasefire which is the only credible pathway towards a sustainable peace, a two-state solution and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reductions to Official Development Assistance on tuberculosis (a) screening, (b) diagnosis and (c) treatment.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.
We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report & Accounts this summer.
The UK has played a significant role with international counterparts to tackle tuberculosis (TB) in recent decades.
Since 2002, Tuberculosis deaths have been reduced by 36 per cent in countries where the Global Fund invests. The UK is a leading donor to the Global Fund and will this year co-host the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund together with South Africa.