Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress her Department has made on the resumption of consular services in Afghanistan.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
British nationals who remain in Afghanistan are strongly encouraged to register their presence to receive important updates. The FCDO continues to provide remote consular assistance to British nationals and eligible dependents in Afghanistan, supporting more than 110 British nationals to leave via land or air routes since 9 September 2021.Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release, UK officials travel to Afghanistan, published on 5 October 2021, what further discussions officials in her Department have had with representatives of the authorities in Afghanistan since 5 October 2021; and what further meetings officials in her Department plan to have with those representatives.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
On 5 October, Sir Simon Gass (the Prime Minister's Special Representative for the Afghan Transition) and Dr Martin Longden (Chargé d'Affaires of the UK Mission to Afghanistan in Doha) visited Kabul where they met senior members of the Taliban. Further, on 12 October a senior-level Taliban delegation met with Dr Longden and other international partners in Doha. During these conversations the UK underlined the importance of safe passage to the UK for British Nationals and eligible Afghans, as well as the UK's key interests on counterterrorism, humanitarian issues, and human rights (including girls' education). The UK remains committed to a pragmatic and exploratory dialogue with the Taliban, and will continue to engage the authorities in Kabul, and their representatives in Doha, in support of the Afghan people, including on freedom of movement. We have no immediate plans to visit Kabul at present.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release, UK officials travel to Afghanistan, published on 5 October 2021, what further discussions officials in her Department have had with representatives of the authorities in Afghanistan since 5 October 2021 on the safe passage from Afghanistan of (a) British nationals and (b) people at risk in that country to (i) the UK and (ii) third countries; and what further meetings officials in her Department plan to have with those representatives.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
On 5 October, Sir Simon Gass (the Prime Minister's Special Representative for the Afghan Transition) and Dr Martin Longden (Chargé d'Affaires of the UK Mission to Afghanistan in Doha) visited Kabul where they met senior members of the Taliban. Further, on 12 October a senior-level Taliban delegation met with Dr Longden and other international partners in Doha. During these conversations the UK underlined the importance of safe passage to the UK for British Nationals and eligible Afghans, as well as the UK's key interests on counterterrorism, humanitarian issues, and human rights (including girls' education). The UK remains committed to a pragmatic and exploratory dialogue with the Taliban, and will continue to engage the authorities in Kabul, and their representatives in Doha, in support of the Afghan people, including on freedom of movement. We have no immediate plans to visit Kabul at present.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent negotiations officials in her Department have undertaken with their counterparts in neighbouring countries of Afghanistan to allow for the entry to those countries of Afghan nationals seeking to escape the Taliban.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We are working urgently with neighbouring countries to ensure that at-risk Afghans have options for safe passage. We have been clear that the Taliban must stand by their assurances that these people can have safe passage and leave, which was also emphasised in the UN Security Council Resolution of 30 August.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the UN on the (a) murder of George Floyd and (b) deaths of black men by armed police officers and members of the public in the US.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been clear that the death of George Floyd was appalling, inexcusable and deeply distressing and we understand the strength of feeling around this issue. Domestic security policy is a matter for the US.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the US Administration on threats to use military force against US citizens to suppress peaceful protests in that country.
Answered by Wendy Morton
Domestic security policy is a matter for the US. Our Embassy in the US has raised the issue of the protests with the US Administration. The violence we have seen is clearly very alarming. People must be allowed to protest peacefully - peaceful protest remains a vital part of a democratic society and we understand the strength of feeling around this issue.