Release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah 2024-11-26
2024-11-26
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Alaa Abd el-Fattah is a British citizen held in Egypt. His mother, Laila Soueif, has been on a 58-day hunger strike protesting his imprisonment which ended in September.
I am concerned about Alaa Abd el-Fattah's continued imprisonment despite the end of his sentence. Given that Laila Soueif is here and her son's release remains uncertain, will you guarantee that new economic partnerships with Egypt are halted unless Alaa Abd el-Fattah is released?
We continue to raise Mr el-Fattah's case at the highest levels. The Prime Minister raised it with President Sisi on 8 August and I last raised it with the Egyptian Foreign Minister yesterday. Despite the situation in Gaza, we remain committed to securing his release.
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Assessment & feedback
Guaranteeing halting of economic partnerships until Alaa Abd el-Fattah's release
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Laila Soueif, Alaa Abd el-Fattah's mother, is in the Gallery for 58 days on hunger strike. She demands to know that her Government are doing everything possible to bring her son home.
Given Laila Soueif's dedication and the 58-day hunger strike she is undertaking, can you guarantee that new economic or financial partnerships with Egypt will be halted unless Alaa Abd el-Fattah is freed?
I look forward to meeting Mr el-Fattah's mother later and share my hon. Friend's determination to secure his release. However, it is important that we continue our relationship with Egypt due to the situation in Gaza.
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Assessment & feedback
Guaranteeing halting of economic partnerships until Alaa Abd el-Fattah's release
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Ryan Cornelius, an individual held illegally by the United Arab Emirates for over 16 years much of it in solitary confinement, has not had his case raised recently.
Given Ryan Cornelius' situation of illegal detention and recent lack of attention from officials, can you confirm that his case will be rigorously pursued?
The situation of Ryan Cornelius has been raised with the UAE and officials continue to provide consular access. The UAE is aware that we are concerned about his case.
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Q4
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Alaa Abd el-Fattah's family has suffered significantly. It is believed that President Sisi will only act if there is an economic threat.
Given the family's suffering and the belief that President Sisi will only respond to economic threats, can you contact his office after meeting Mrs el-Fattah tomorrow to ensure our economic relationship suffers unless he is released?
I spoke to the Egyptian Foreign Minister yesterday and urged him to look at what parliamentarians are saying about this case. We continue to press them.
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Assessment & feedback
Directly contacting President Sisi's office
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Q5
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The all-party parliamentary group heard evidence from UK nationals held abroad. Alaa's mother testified this morning about the challenges faced.
Given concerns raised by the all-party group and Alaa's mother, does the Minister acknowledge that being a UK national might not offer unique advantages in cases of arbitrary detention?
We have said we will introduce a special representative to work with hostage families, recognising issues in this area.
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Acknowledgment that being British does not offer unique advantages
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Q6
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Alaa Abd el-Fattah's family, including his friends and constituents, are campaigning for him to be freed. Consular access is denied.
Given the continued denial of consular access and the House's support for Alaa's release, what specific actions will you take if Egypt does not restore consular access?
I am pressing the Egyptians on Mr el-Fattah's dual nationality issue which, once resolved, would allow him consular access. I continue to urge them on this.
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Specific actions if Egypt refuses consular access
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Q7
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Jimmy Lai, a British national, is imprisoned in Hong Kong. This case has been highlighted by the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green as well.
I thank the Secretary of State for that answer and commend the hon. Member for Alloa and Grangemouth for raising the matter, but it is not the only case: the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green referred to another case, and I would add Jimmy Lai as a third. The UK and British passport must mean something. With that in mind, is it not time to set aside a specific section in the FCDO that looks at these cases and is tasked with getting our British citizens back home to this United Kingdom?
As the hon. Gentleman mentions Jimmy Lai, let me say once again that we call on the Hong Kong authorities to release immediately British national Jimmy Lai, who is a significant priority for this Government. That is why the Prime Minister raised the matter with the President of China last week and I raised it with the Foreign Minister of China. The hon. Gentleman is right: this does need a close look by the new Government. We are just over four months old, we are looking at it and we will come forward with proposals shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
The establishment of a specific section within the FCDO to address repatriation issues for British citizens
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