Syria

Question

What steps will be taken to gather evidence of crimes committed by Assad’s regime and what actions are being taken towards justice? What is the impact on the Syrian resettlement programme?

Question

What measures are being taken to secure borders and prevent criminal activities like weapons smuggling and drug production?

Question

What is the risk posed by foreign terrorist fighters being released from prisons and state weapons falling into wrong hands?

Question

Is a cross-Government review of security and defence implications, including terrorism risks, under way?

Question

Questions about Assad's removal, evidence gathering, resettlement programme, border security, criminal activities risks, ISIS threats, cross-Government review of terrorism risks, and assessment of future Syria dynamics involving Iran.

Question

Celebrates end of Assad regime but warns against replacement with another tyrant. Urges for inclusive transitional arrangements that ensure a multi-ethnic, multi-background country based on Syrians' political system needs.

Question

I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary for early sight of his statement. The fall of the Assad regime is momentous for the millions of Syrians who have suffered under his brutal rule. What steps are being taken to ensure that both Bashar and his brother Maher al-Assad face justice for the crimes they committed? Will the Foreign Secretary assure the House that the UK is taking urgent action with our allies to identify, locate and secure stockpiles of chemical weapons in Syria?

Question

Since 28 November, almost a million Syrians have been displaced internally due to recent violence. More than 7.2 million Syrians are internally displaced and around 6.2 million are long-term refugees, mostly in neighbouring countries. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking with our partners on the worst-case scenario, and will he commit to continuing, and indeed increasing, support for host refugee countries?

Question

What specific action will the UK Government take to ensure that we maximise the chance of success and minimise the chance of failure? For example, will we re-establish a diplomatic presence in Damascus?

Question

What is his hope for millions of Syrians who have fled Syria over the past decades? Also, what hope does he have of engaging the Kurdish community in this process for the future?

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary agree that we should not be surprised that one war criminal, President Putin, is now sheltering another, Assad? Will he consider, in due course, whether we might use frozen assets owned by Assad or those linked to him for the benefit of Syrians?

Question

Will the Foreign Secretary commit himself to increasing UK support for Syrian civil society, and will he also increase support for human rights experts, including the UN, as they document crimes against civilians?

Question

How would the Foreign Secretary explain and legally justify the fact that Syrians on the street cheering the demise of Assad were on day one on the receiving end of a massive Israeli airstrike?

Question

On the demise of Assad’s regime in Syria, my thoughts are with the Syrian people who have been left to pick up the pieces after his barbaric actions. Peace and stability will be foremost in everyone’s mind; what measures are being taken by the Government to ensure that rights of women and minorities will be secured?

Question

What role does the Foreign Secretary see the UN Security Council playing in Syria?

Question

What can the British Government and the international community do to ensure that political prisoners are freed from Saydnaya prison?

Question

Can the Foreign Secretary throw some light on what he expects Turkey to do now that it will be face to face with its Kurdish enemies?

Question

What is the impact of events in Syria on Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon?

Question

What steps have the Government taken regarding asylum claims from Syrian nationals?

Question

How can the Government support an inclusive political settlement that includes all Syria’s ethnic and religious groups?

Question

Will the Government provide assistance to Syrians in this country who wish to return to their homeland?

Question

Where will the necessary investment for Syria’s reconstruction come from?

Question

Has the Foreign Secretary had conversations with Ministry of Defence colleagues about reinforcing security at our sovereign base areas in Cyprus?

Question

The fall of Assad’s regime marks a pivotal moment for Syria, offering a chance to end over a decade of brutal conflict. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to ensure that Britain works with international partners to secure a stable and inclusive future for Syria?

Question

Will the Foreign Secretary support Parliament debating and voting on any future UK military action, even if it should happen after such scrutiny?

Question

What practical steps can the UK take to support bringing together appropriate Syrian representatives, enabling them to build a peaceful and stable Syria?

Question

What is the Foreign Secretary’s assessment of ensuring continued management of detention facilities holding 9,000 Daesh fighters in Syria?

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary agree that this is a moment of hope for Syrian people, better for British national security as Russian and Iranian influence pushed back?

Question

What can the Foreign Secretary say about Britain’s role to ensure Syria does not become a dysfunctional regime, prevent terrorism from moving out, deal with genuine asylum seekers?

Question

What discussions are taking place with Turkey regarding SDF in north-east Syria, concern about detrimental effects of Turkish actions?

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary agree that one prerequisite of diplomatic relations must be handing over chemical weaponry, ensuring its destruction?

Question

Secretary of State’s view on Department’s ability to support stabilisation activity; impact of developments on African states reliant on Russia for security?

Question

Welcomes the continuation of UK humanitarian aid to Syria, asks for a commitment that the future governance of Syria must be decided by Syrians, not foreign actors. Asks if the Government will support a peaceful transition to a safe, secure, stable and prosperous Syria.

Question

Welcomes the fall of Assad's regime; asks for continued support to Syrian refugees in the UK and their freedom to choose whether they return or remain here.

Question

Asks about steps taken to promote the rule of law in Syria given the links of HTS to al-Qaeda.

Question

Asks about discussions with ICC for gathering evidence and building cases for justice.

Question

Asks about work by the office for conflict, stabilisation and mediation to analyse the situation and lessons from Iraq and Libya.

Question

Asks about military resources or personnel being sent to Syria.

Question

Asks for assurance on foreign troops leaving Syria and respect for Kurdish minority; asks about Israeli withdrawal from Golan heights.

Question

Asks what will happen if Israel decides not to withdraw temporarily.

Question

Asks about blocking asylum applications from Assad’s acolytes.

Question

Suggests democratic and pluralistic new political structures, involvement of moderate opposition, and prioritisation of engagement with allies and UN.

Question

Asks for protection of religious minorities in Syria from Turkish-led terrorists and HTS.

Question

Members from across the House, including the Secretary of State, have talked about the religious and ethnic complexities of Syria. What does the Secretary of State make of those who are calling for a federal-type system in Syria? Should the Government be giving capacity and voice to those views and approaches?

Question

Like Minister Falconer, I was at the Doha forum this weekend, and there was palpable relief among the vast majority of delegates that the brutal murderer Assad had finally fallen. However, Sergey Lavrov also attended the Doha forum, and although I boycotted his session, the readout was that he was deeply uncomfortable in answering questions about Syria—rightly so, as he has so much Syrian blood on his hands, alongside his boss Vladimir Putin. Does my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary agree that it is unacceptable for Russia to retain its two military bases in Syria, and that those bases must be closed down for the stability of the region?

Question

In his statement, the Foreign Secretary referred to HTS co-operating with the international community on the monitoring of chemical weapons. Given the situation on the ground in Syria and the ongoing chaos, what confidence does he have that there is the capacity for HTS to conduct that work? Is there anything the UK Government can do to support the capacity in the region to keep those weapons safe?

Question

There will be great jubilation at seeing the back of Assad. I very much welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement, including his reference to illicit finance, which is critically important, and what he said about building an inclusive society that protects minorities. This is a great moment of hope, but it comes with trepidation as well. The Foreign Secretary spoke of a new hope for Syrians getting their country back, and I am grateful for his clarification regarding the Golan heights. Whatever emerges from this transition, I know he shares the desire to seek a reliable partner and a supporter of democracy to replace this dreadful regime, but can he say something about the urgency of establishing that partnership and the timescale for it? What work is going on with partners to make sure that it happens quickly?

Question

I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement, and the detailed and nuanced answers he has given to what have been some complex questions are extremely welcome. One thing that is not complex is the fact that Assad is a murderer who has taken 500,000 people’s lives, and my right hon. Friend was absolutely right to resist calls to reopen channels and negotiate with him. I have two questions: one simple, one not so simple. First, does my right hon. Friend agree that every single Member of this House should welcome the downfall of Assad? Secondly, does he have thoughts on what this means for Russia? Will its catastrophic failure in Syria change its behaviour in other conflicts, including in Ukraine?

Question

I want to echo the calls welcoming the downfall of the brutal and evil Assad regime, and just to press the Foreign Secretary a little. What steps will the Government take to preserve all the humanitarian routes available, and to ensure that a moderate, prosperous and, indeed, multi-polar Syria emerges from the present situation?

Question

My right hon. Friend was right in his statement to emphasise the effects of global instability on illegal immigration into the UK. Not only is supporting displaced Syrians as they return home the right thing to do—although it is the right thing to do—but it supports the security of the UK. Can he assure the House that Syrians returning home will have ongoing humanitarian support from this Government?

Question

I join the Foreign Secretary, the shadow Foreign Secretary and everyone across this House in welcoming the demise of Assad’s brutal regime. Unlike my predecessor in Rochdale, Mr George Galloway, who tweeted his support for Assad this weekend, much to the disdain of many in my constituency, I do not mourn Assad’s demise. We should not be surprised by Mr Galloway, given that he has long been a friend of dictators across the planet. I remind the Foreign Secretary that Assad was no friend of the Palestinian people—he bombed, tortured and murdered Palestinians who stood up to him. Does my right hon. Friend also recognise their bravery today?

Question

Like many in this House, I have campaigned and worked with Syrian friends in their struggle over much of the last decade, and I welcome the demise of Assad. The Secretary of State is absolutely correct that it is for the Syrian people to decide what happens next, although I greatly fear that the voices of many Syrian people will not be heard unless they are given strong international support to be heard. There is a strong pro-democracy and pro-human rights movement in Syria, particularly among women and youth-led organisations. What are the Government doing to ensure that the voices of women and youth are heard?