Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
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 political situation in Colombia.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Colombia is an important partner for the UK, with our shared priorities including the environment and security. We are working with the Colombian Government and others on implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement. President Petro is committed to implementing the 2016 Agreement as well as establishing dialogues with other armed groups - what he terms 'Paz Total' (Total Peace). The UK remains committed to supporting Colombia in establishing long term conditions for stability in the country. We will also work with Colombia on the climate and nature emergency - as they host the important Biodiversity Conference of the Parties meeting later this year.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with his Israel counterparts on illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Answered by Hamish Falconer
The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog during his visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14-15 July.
He stressed the UK's ambition and commitment to play its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. Central to lasting peace and stability is an end to expanding illegal Israeli settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the potential UK recognition of a Palestinian state.
Answered by Hamish Falconer
During the Foreign Secretary's visit on 14 July to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories he emphasised the need for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution in meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Katz.
Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. The UK is committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
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 the famine in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer
The people of Gaza face a humanitarian catastrophe. There is a high risk of famine across Gaza and more than 4 in every 5 people have been forced to flee their homes. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid". To further help those in need, the Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July that the UK will restart funding to UNRWA, and provide £21 million to support lifesaving work, including the provision of emergency food.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the Israeli government's policy on a two-state solution.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people; Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state, and the Palestinian Authority has an important long-term role to play. We must work with our allies to provide serious, practical and enduring support needed to bolster the Palestinian Authority.
We want to see an end to the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible and are calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.
There are five vital steps:
- A political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
- The formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package.
- Removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel.
- The release of all Israeli hostages.
- Hamas no longer in charge of Gaza.
The Foreign Secretary has reiterated these messages with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli political leaders, including during his visit to Israel on 24 January.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to secure a (a) cease fire and (b) peace agreement in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Since conflict erupted in Sudan on 15 April, we have pursued all diplomatic avenues to end the violence, de-escalate tensions and secure humanitarian access. This includes at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, and through cooperation with counterparts from African, Quad (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, US) and European countries. We regret the withdrawal of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from the ceasefire talks , but welcome that the delegations from the SAF and Rapid Support Forces remain in Jeddah. The UK stands ready to support efforts to agree a new ceasefire, with the aim of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities. The UK is now working through a new African Union-led Core Group aimed at getting the parties to the conflict back the negotiating table. The UK continues to advocate for a return to a civilian-led government in Sudan. We urge all Sudanese stakeholders to end hostilities and engage urgently in an inclusive dialogue that will deliver the peace and stability that the Sudanese people deserve.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help expedite safe passage to the UK for Sudanese dependents of British nationals.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Between the 15 April and 3 May, the UK supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants and other eligible nationals. The British Embassy in Khartoum is temporarily closed and the UK Government is only able to provide limited consular assistance to British Nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7. Sudanese nationals who have travelled to a third country and wish to join family members in the UK will need to apply for a visa, if they do not already have the right to enter the UK. Further information can be found online at GOV.UK.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of British nationals located in Sudan; and what proportion of those nationals are children.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Between the 15 April and 3 May, the UK supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants and other eligible nationals. The British Embassy in Khartoum is temporarily closed and the UK Government is only able to provide limited consular assistance to British Nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7. Sudanese nationals who have travelled to a third country and wish to join family members in the UK will need to apply for a visa, if they do not already have the right to enter the UK. Further information can be found online at GOV.UK.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to provide ongoing assistance to help British nationals leave Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Between the 15 April and 3 May, the UK supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants and other eligible nationals. The British Embassy in Khartoum is temporarily closed and the UK Government is only able to provide limited consular assistance to British Nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. Those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries are receiving consular support on a case-by-case basis. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7. Sudanese nationals who have travelled to a third country and wish to join family members in the UK will need to apply for a visa, if they do not already have the right to enter the UK. Further information can be found online at GOV.UK.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
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 Iranian counterpart on the treatment of Iranian women campaigning for their rights.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK has made it abundantly clear that Iran must cease its violent repression of women and girls. Since October, the Foreign Secretary has ordered the summoning of Iran's Chargé d'Affaires five times over its human rights violations, including the regime's abhorrent treatment of women protesters. These messages are regularly reinforced through our Ambassador in Tehran. We also worked with partners to successfully remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. These actions ensure the Iranian regime is left in no doubt about the UK's position. We continue to work closely with our international partners to hold Iran to account.