Questions & Answers
Q1
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The question arises from the ongoing civil war in Yemen, now entering its ninth year. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, including civilian casualties.
What recent assessment has she made of the implications for her policies of the civil war in Yemen?
A negotiated political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen. On 10 January, I hosted the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, here in London and reiterated UK support for the UN-led peace process to drive forward the political process in Yemen. We urge the parties to engage constructively in negotiations to end this conflict, which is bringing death and suffering on an appalling scale.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific implications of the Yemen civil war for UK policies are not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
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Recent coalition-led attacks in Yemen have raised concerns about the effectiveness of current diplomatic efforts, particularly given that the UK is a key player at the UN for Yemen.
I thank the Minister for that answer, but this brutal conflict is in its ninth year. Recent deadly coalition-led attacks on children and civilians have rightly been condemned by the UN General Secretary. As the UK is the penholder at the UN for Yemen, does he believe that the continued sales of arms from the UK and the recent withdrawal of UK aid are helping or hindering diplomatic efforts?
The money that the UK has allocated and distributed in Yemen has helped to protect lives and feed children, and I am incredibly proud of the work we have done. The fact of the matter, however, is that we cannot properly help the people of Yemen until this conflict has come to a conclusion. That is why we continue to work with the United Nations special envoy, Hans Grundberg.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether arms sales and aid withdrawal are helping or hindering peace efforts.
Response accuracy
Q3
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Recent attacks, such as those in Hodeidah and Saada that killed dozens including children playing football, underscore the ongoing deterioration and brutality of the conflict.
The situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, and the attacks are ever more brutal. Just last week, three children who were out playing football were among 60 people killed when missiles struck Hodeidah and Saada. Does the Minister agree that this demonstrates the importance of re-establishing the group of eminent experts? What fresh efforts does he believe are needed within the UN Security Council to end this terrible conflict?
The recent loss of life in Yemen, and in the nations surrounding Yemen that have received attacks emanating from the Houthis, is terrible. Ultimately, the best thing we can do as a leading member of the international community and the penholder at the United Nations is to push for peace in Yemen.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or commitments for UN Security Council involvement.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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The Saudi-led coalition's air and sea blockade has severely hampered humanitarian aid efforts, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.
We were all horrified by the atrocities of the airstrike on Friday, which led to dozens of deaths and was another horrific incident in this conflict. It adds to one of the world's greatest humanitarian disasters, with an estimated 20 million Yemenis in need of assistance. As the Minister knows, the Saudi air and sea blockade means that hardly any humanitarian aid is getting through, so I ask him: what influence are the Government using to bring about a peace conference to end the blockade, so that people on the brink of starvation can get the humanitarian aid they need?
I have in the past spoken both with the Government of Yemen and with countries in the region to ensure that fuel supplies that are needed, both to transport grain and also for grain milling for bread, have been made available, and I am pleased that the UK intervention at those times facilitated the distribution of aid to Yemen.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific use of influence to end the blockade or convene a peace conference.
Response accuracy