Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
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 effect of the decision of the US Administration to close the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission in Washington on the Middle East Peace Process.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The US' decision to close the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) office in Washington is a matter for the US Administration. The UK remains committed to achieving a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. We continue to believe that the best way to achieve this is through negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, and for all parties to focus on steps that are conducive to peace.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to recent criticism of the International Criminal Court by the US and Israel, if he will reaffirm the UK's commitment to it.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
Support for international criminal justice and accountability – at the national or international level - is a fundamental element of our foreign policy. We have always been clear that the International Criminal Court can play an important role in ending impunity for the most serious international crimes. It has our full support in pursuing the mandate it was given under the Rome Statute.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
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 effect of the decision of the US Administration to close the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission in Washington on the Middle East Peace Process.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The US' decision to close the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) office in Washington is a matter for the US Administration. The UK remains committed to achieving a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. We continue to believe that the best way to achieve this is through negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, and for all parties to focus on steps that are conducive to peace.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
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 Iranian counterpart on the death sentence imposed on Ramin Hossein Panahi.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The British Government is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, including Iran, especially in cases which do not meet the minimum standards defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We have made this clear to Iran, both in public and in private. Most recently, I discussed human rights including the use of the death penalty when I met with my Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on 1 September.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the Middle East peace process continues in a fair and legitimate manner.
Answered by Alistair Burt
At this highly sensitive time in the region, there is an urgent need to restart the peace process between Israel and Palestine. We regularly press both parties to resume direct negotiations towards a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 16 May and reiterated the need for progress.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions the Prime Minister has had with the Turkish President on that country's involvement in the humanitarian crisis in Kurdish Northern Syria.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK is committed to supporting efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria. In our engagement with Turkey at all levels, we regularly highlight the need for protection of civilians, freedom of movement for those caught up in violence, and the urgent need for full and unhindered humanitarian access. We are clear that displaced individuals must be allowed to return home peacefully if they wish to do so. The Prime Minister discussed these issues with President Erdogan during his recent visit to the UK.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure an independent inquiry into recent civilian deaths on the Gaza border.
Answered by Alistair Burt
As our Ambassador to the UN said at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on 15 May, we "want to reiterate our support for independent and transparent investigations into the events that have taken place in Gaza on 14 May and in recent weeks". This includes the extent to which the Israeli security forces' rules of engagement are in line with international law and what role Hamas played in events. The UK will judge any proposal for an investigation on its merits.
Asked by: Rosie Duffield (Labour - Canterbury)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of allegations that the Kurdish population in Northern Syria are being displaced from their homes by forces loyal to the Turkish Government.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We are aware of reports of the displacement of over 130,000 civilians, both Kurds and other groups, from areas in Afrin following the Turkish military operation. It is essential that the rights of internally displaced persons are protected, including the protection of property, and that those who wish to return are able to do so freely and safely. We continue to make this point clearly in our close dialogue with Turkey about Syria. Turkey has assured us of its commitment to respect international law in its operations.