Government Policy on Syria

Opened the debate

Madam Deputy Speaker, Alison McGovern began her speech by thanking Mr Speaker for the debate on Syria. She highlighted the sixth anniversary of Jo Cox's murder and the tragic situation in Syria, comparing it to recent events in Ukraine. McGovern emphasised the importance of upholding international humanitarian and human rights laws. She urged the Minister to update the House on diplomatic approaches towards Syria. McGovern raised concerns about food insecurity and the need for humanitarian assistance amid rising global food prices due to conflicts such as the Ukraine crisis. She also questioned the steps taken by the UK Government to secure a UN resolution to maintain the Bab al-Hawa crossing point open, and inquired about support for Syrian refugees both internationally and in discussions within the Home Office. McGovern highlighted the contributions of Syrians working in the NHS and business sectors, and asked about engagement with Syrian civil society in the UK.

Government Response

The Minister, Amanda Milling, acknowledged Alison McGovern's speech and her work on Syria. She paid tribute to Jo Cox and Sir David Amess for their dedication to human rights issues. The Minister highlighted the suffering caused by Bashar al-Assad’s regime and its allies in Syria, noting similarities with recent events in Ukraine. She detailed UK's commitment through £3.8 billion aid since 2012, including up to £150 million pledged this year, stressing the need for cross-border aid into Syria due to access issues and politicisation complicating delivery. The Minister called on Security Council members to renew resolution 2585 and maintain a single border crossing for humanitarian assistance. She also mentioned support for ceasefires in north-west Syria and Turkey’s efforts to protect civilians. On gender-based violence, the Minister highlighted UK's three innovation pilots targeting widespread inequality denying women ownership of land and economic resources. The UK supports education initiatives like the Syria Education Programme reaching half a million children since 2018. She reaffirmed commitment to human rights violations accountability through sanctions and support for international law. Milling mentioned the coalition against Daesh and the Government's close work with Syrian civil society in upholding human rights.