Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
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 potential implications for his policies of the human rights situation of women in Afghanistan; what his policy is on the concept of gender apartheid in that country; and what representations he has made to Afghanistan's geographical neighbours on gender inequality in the region.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have repeatedly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls' rights, including through UN Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions. As the Foreign Secretary has said, exclusion of women from all aspects of public life is another tragic setback for Afghanistan. We engage with regional and international partners on human rights and security among other priority issues.
The FCDO is aware of calls for the inclusion of 'gender apartheid' as a new crime against humanity. We are actively considering the complex legal and policy questions raised by this proposal.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the people of Ukraine through (a) medical and (b) educational aid.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK's non-military commitments to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion amount to £5 billion. This includes programmes with FCDO partners to provide medical aid. We have committed £5.5 million to the World Health Organisation this year to support capacity building and system strengthening of Ukraine's rehabilitation sector. The FCDO also supports the Red Cross Movement, which has rehabilitated bomb shelters in schools and hospitals to enable the continued operation of these vital services. In Moldova, the UK has been supporting UNICEF's EduTech Labs, which provide a safe space for Ukrainian refugee children to continue their online learning in a physical school environment.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to support Afghan women (a) in Afghanistan and (b) living as refugees (i) in the UK and (ii) around the world.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains one of the most significant donors to Afghanistan. The FCDO is planning £161 million in aid this financial year (2024-25) with 50 per cent targeted towards women and girls. In the first year after the Taliban takeover, the UK provided £17 million to support Afghan people in neighbouring countries, primarily Tajikistan, Iran and Pakistan. We have repeatedly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls' rights, including through UN Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions. The Home Office is responsible for the support of refugees in the UK.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to take steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Australia on matters relating to the (a) sports and (b) cultural sectors.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK maintains a strong and modern partnership with Australia across sporting and cultural fields, fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people ties. Over the next year, significant sporting events, including the England Women's Cricket and British Lions tours to Australia, will showcase our enduring sporting links. The British Council collaborates closely with Australian institutions as exemplified by the 2022 UK-Australia Season of Culture. We remain committed to deepening these connections, including when looking ahead to Australia's hosting of the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032. There are several major UK contemporary visual arts and museum exhibitions touring to Australia in 2025.
Asked by: Samantha Niblett (Labour - South Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support the relatives of British citizens residing in Lebanon.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The safety of British nationals is our number one priority. Our consular teams continue to work in support of British nationals. We have well-rehearsed plans in place, drawing on military and civilian resources across government ready to aid consular efforts if the situation deteriorates further. We chartered a limited number of flights from Lebanon to support British nationals to leave the country in response to the deteriorating security situation recently. The latest UK charter flight left on 6 October but availability on commercial options remain. We continue to encourage British nationals who remain in Lebanon to leave while these commercial options remain available. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon.