Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has made representations to his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates on that country's role (a) with the Rapid Support Forces and (b) in Sudan.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
In our engagement with all international partners, we emphasise the importance of refraining from actions that prolong the conflict. To this end, we welcome reported plans to restart talks in Jeddah in the coming weeks, with the involvement of the UAE alongside Egypt and African representation. The UK continues to work with a range of partners to end hostilities, allow safe unhindered humanitarian access, and protect civilians.
Correspondence May. 23 2024
Committee: Home Affairs Committee (Department: Home Office)Found: Their nearest viable open VAC is therefore in Egypt , as Minister Pursglove pointed out during the
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of Egypt concerning the current humanitarian situation in Gaza; and what support they are providing to Egyptian authorities, together with international partners, to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza to the Sinai region of Egypt.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We maintain a close dialogue with Egypt on a range of issues relating to the conflict in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary most recently discussed the situation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on 10 May.
The UK Government firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.
The UK's position is clear: Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will and must be part of a future Palestinian state. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.
Asked by: Lord Mott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of reported allegations of the widespread abuse of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
After more than 200 days in captivity, 132 hostages remain in Gaza, including British nationals and others with strong UK links. We are extremely concerned about reports regarding the conditions they are being held in.
The implications for the health and psychological well-being of hostages can be catastrophic, as is the impact and lasting trauma on their families and on their communities. We reiterate our call for the ICRC to be granted urgent access to all hostages and for their immediate release. Nothing can justify their continued detention. Their families are showing great courage in horrific circumstances.
Hamas must act on this now. It was wrong to kidnap them on 7 October, it has been wrong to hold them in captivity for so long and it is wrong to hold them any longer. We strongly support the intensive diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to secure their release.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Egypt on the detention of Tawfik Ghanem.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have not raised Mr Ghanem's specific case directly with the Egyptians, but we regularly raise pre-trial detention cases, restrictions on media freedom and detentions of political activists with Egypt, both in London and Cairo. Lord [Tariq] Ahmad of Wimbledon discussed human rights with the Egyptian Ambassador on 20 February and with Foreign Minister Shoukry on 28 March. The Foreign Secretary raised human rights with FM Shoukry on 29 April.
We also raise human rights issues multilaterally through our Human Rights Council Item 4 Statements and detail our concerns through our Annual Human Rights and Development Reports.
May. 22 2024
Source Page: Immigration Rules archive: 11 April 2024 to 15 May 2024Found: Coast) Cuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt
Mentions:
1: Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab - Life peer) Andrew Mitchell also expressed the hope that there will soon be a deal between Egypt and Israel to put - Speech Link
2: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) themselves were part of the discussions with Qatar, which continues to play an important role, together with Egypt - Speech Link
3: Baroness Altmann (Con - Life peer) Israel has withdrawn from territory to make peace with Egypt and Jordan. - Speech Link
4: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) My noble friend is correct that peace agreements have been signed with Jordan and Egypt, but there are - Speech Link
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the UK defence attaché for Sudan is based.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK Defence Attaché in Egypt at the British Embassy in Cairo has responsibility for Sudan on a Non-Residential Accreditation.
Asked by: Earl of Sandwich (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what financial support they have provided to (1) the government of Egypt, and (2) non-government organisations and churches, to assist with Sudanese citizens seeking refuge in Egypt.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK and Egypt are partners in a number of fields. Through British Investment International, loan guarantees and Official Development Assistance, the UK has provided almost $1 billion to support a stable, green, prosperous Egypt. The UK Government does not provide direct financial support to non-government organisations and churches that assist with Sudanese citizens seeking refuge in Egypt.
Oral Evidence May. 21 2024
Inquiry: FCDO and civil societiesFound: Of course there is existing anti-NGO legislation in Russia, Egypt and Israel, where organisations that