Topical Questions 2021-03-02

2021-03-02

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Prime Minister has condemned the UN's Human Rights Council for its disproportionate focus on Israel.
As the UN Human Rights Council meets over the coming weeks, will the Government commit to voting against one-sided resolutions singling out Israel?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have stood up for Israel when it has faced bias and, frankly, politicised attacks in the UN and other forums. We will continue to press for the abolition of item 7, because it is the only country-specific standalone agenda item and it focuses on Israel, and that cannot be right.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Lisa Nandy Lab
Wigan
Context
The US intelligence report released last Friday makes a clear and compelling case that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Can he confirm that he will be bringing forward sanctions against bin Salman following this report?
The hon. Lady is a bit behind the curve here. Of course, we have an important relationship with Saudi Arabia on security, on trade and on other things, but the reality is that it was this Government, and me, who introduced Magnitsky sanctions on 20 Saudis involved in the murder under our global human rights regime—[Interruption.] We did it last July. She ought to catch up.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about bringing forward new sanctions against bin Salman not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Lisa Nandy Lab
Wigan
Context
The MP is critical of the UK's relationship with Saudi Arabia in terms of human rights.
Is there a single thing that he will actually stand up for?
I again say to the hon. Lady that we were already right out in the lead in imposing asset freezes and visa bans on 20 of the most directly responsible. She refers to the US report. The US has not put sanctions on the Crown Prince, as she well knows. More generally, she will have seen the action that we have taken—[Interruption.] She ought to listen.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about taking actions against Saudi Arabia not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The growing ties between Israel and her Arab neighbours are positive developments.
Will my right hon. Friend outline what more the UK can do to help support the resumption of direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians?
I thank my hon. Friend. We have supported the normalisation of relations, which is a good step around the region. Of course, this also led to the suspension of the threat of annexation on the west bank, which was very important.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about UK actions to support peace talks not fully addressed
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the invasion, the NATO mission faces difficult choices.
What discussions are the British Government having with the Biden Administration about the way forward?
We are having discussions with the Biden Administration on the approach to the proposed US withdrawal or drawdown from Afghanistan. It has to be linked to violence on the ground and to the wider peace talks and the agreements that have been made in Afghanistan between all the local parties, and it has to be based on the delivery of those conditions.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Covid-19 has caused over 120,000 deaths in the UK and there are questions about its origin and spread.
Given that covid-19 is reported to have killed more than 120,000 of our fellow citizens it is reasonable, in time, to understand where lessons can be learned domestically, but surely it is our moral duty to establish the origins of the virus and how it spread as an international community. So may I ask the Minister: what is the British Government's view on where this came from and on the efficacy of the World Health Organisation's current fact-finding mission to China?
The UK co-sponsored the World Health Assembly resolution in May 2020 that agreed an investigation into the origins of covid. It is important that that investigation is given the time it needs. The field mission to Wuhan was a key early step in the investigation. Of course we cannot pre-empt findings, but we will look closely at the field mission's report when it is published.
Assessment & feedback
The specific effectiveness of WHO's investigation was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Alison McGovern Lab
Birkenhead
Context
A programme for welcoming Syrian refugees has run out, and there is a need to update on intentions.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) the urgent question that is to follow on Yemen, which is a human rights catastrophe. Similarly, every Member of this House must acknowledge the humanitarian hellhole that Syria has become over the past decade. Given that the existing programme has now run out, will the Secretary of State update the House on our country's intentions on welcoming refugees to our shores from Syria and the region, and the good quality of life that we will guarantee them once they are here?
The truth is that I would not be here today if it was not for this country's proud tradition of offering sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. Since 2015, we have resettled 25,000 refugees, with the support of brilliant charities—I always think of Elmbridge CAN in my constituency, which helps new families to settle in.
Assessment & feedback
The specific intentions for a new resettlement scheme were not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
David Simmonds Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Context
The UK has a tradition of offering sanctuary to refugees.
The UK is a global leader in refugee resettlement, and the new UK resettlement scheme will demonstrate global Britain's efforts to tackle humanitarian crises wherever they are. To what extent does my right hon. Friend consider that refugee resettlement is an important part of the UK's wider diplomatic efforts, particularly in respect of supporting those who may now be refugees and have been involved in supporting our military and peacekeeping efforts?
My hon. Friend raises an important point. The truth is that I would not be here today if it was not for this country's proud tradition of offering sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. Since 2015, we have resettled 25,000 refugees, with the support of brilliant charities—I always think of Elmbridge CAN in my constituency, which helps new families to settle in.
Assessment & feedback
The specific diplomatic efforts related to refugee resettlement were not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Context
There are concerns about the Government's silence on Indian farming protests.
The perception that corporate interests and market-friendly laws are prioritised over economic fairness, local communities and the environment has resulted in the Indian farming protests. Given the Foreign Office silence on the issue, will the Prime Minister be raising the injustices that the farmers feel when he visits India?
I appreciate that there are concerns on this issue; we have a large Indian diaspora and have had lots of constituents writing in. I did raise the matter with Foreign Minister Jaishankar when I was in India and we discussed it.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Context
The Government are committed to the PSVI, a program aimed at preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence.
The Government have made it clear that we must protect the reputation of organisations such as the UN Human Rights Council. Given our work on gender-based violence and the fact that next Monday is International Women's Day, I would be grateful for an update on what work is being undertaken on the preventing sexual violence in conflict initiative and what steps we might take to implement an international body that can support survivors, document crimes and lead prosecutions.
The PSVI remains a top priority for the UK Government. Since its launch in 2012 we have committed £48 million and funded 85 projects across 29 countries to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Bambos Charalambous Lab
Southgate and Wood Green
Context
The UN is preparing for talks on a political settlement in Cyprus.
Will the Foreign Secretary confirm the Government's commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation as the only basis for a political settlement on the island of Cyprus, ahead of next month's UN-sponsored 5+1 talks in Geneva?
The most important thing that we need to see right now is for both sides to go to those UN 5+1 talks without preconditions, so that we can re-engage in the kind of flexibility and pragmatism that can see lasting and enduring peace for the whole of Cyprus.
Assessment & feedback
The commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation was not explicitly confirmed.
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
The UK government has a position on the Papuan independence campaign in Indonesia.
What steps is my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary taking to respond to the ongoing campaign for Papuan independence?
The UK Government have repeatedly asserted our long-held position that we respect the territorial integrity of Indonesia, including the provinces of Papua and West Papua. The UK Government categorically do not support the activities or views of Papuan separatist activists.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Janet Daby Lab
Lewisham East
Context
Iran has imprisoned several British citizens, and the UK government's failure to address this link with the IMS debt is causing concern. Anousheh Rashidi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and Aras Ghafouri are among those detained.
Iranian officials have made it clear that the imprisonment of British dual nationals is directly linked to the £400 million IMS debt. The longer the Government deny that link, the longer Anousheh, Nazanin and Aras will be kept away from their families. Will the Foreign Secretary tell me what consideration has been given to an urgent repayment of the debt through alternative means, such as covid-19 supplies or other medical aid?
The hon. Lady takes a heartfelt interest in this matter. I have recently spoken to the families of all three British-Iranian dual nationals. Of course, we accept that there is a long-standing dispute in relation to the IMS debt that needs to be resolved, but that is separate from the arbitrary detention of British nationals. Frankly, we should not be giving succour to the idea that anything should happen other than their unconditional and immediate release.
Assessment & feedback
The specific request for alternative debt repayment methods was not addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran's current uranium stockpile exceeds the limit set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran's uranium stockpile is now more than 14 times over the limit agreed in the 2015 nuclear deal. Does my right hon. Friend believe that the framework is working? What consequences will there be for Iran's continued non-compliance?
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. Iran's systemic non-compliance with its obligations under the joint comprehensive plan of action are rightly a concern of the whole international community, particularly the state parties to the JCPOA. Frankly, Iran has a clear choice: return to compliance or face increasing economic and diplomatic isolation. On 18 February in Paris, I joined my French and German counterparts and the new US Secretary of State Tony Blinken to reinforce the transatlantic alliance and concerted action to bring Iran back to full compliance, which is our overriding focus.
Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about consequences for non-compliance but was answered with general statements on expected actions without specific details or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
War on Want has published a report detailing the Israeli military court system's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
I draw the Secretary of State's attention to War on Want's new report into Israel's military court system in the occupied west bank. Does he agree that Palestinian civilians should not be tried in military courts? What is his Government doing to support Palestinian human rights defenders who are being tried in them?
The hon. Lady is right to draw attention to the treatment of Palestinians. The reality is that I do not think there is a bar on the use of military systems of justice under international law—let alone under the International Criminal Court system. Indeed, we use a military justice system with some of the highest standards in the world. What is crucial is that there is adequate due process to ensure that people's rights can be fairly and duly heard.
Assessment & feedback
The specific request for actions to support human rights defenders was not addressed with concrete measures or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
Jonathan Taylor is a whistleblower who has faced legal repercussions in Monaco due to his employer's retaliation. He currently resides in Croatia under an Interpol red notice.
Yesterday, the last case arising from Jonathan Taylor's whistleblowing concluded, with Paul Bond being sentenced to three and a half years in prison for conspiracy to give corrupt payments. Jonathan Taylor has been vindicated again, but he remains stranded in Croatia due to the Interpol red notice issued by Monaco based on a debunked allegation by his old employer in retaliation for his whistleblowing. Now that the relevant court cases are complete, will my right hon. Friend redouble his efforts to bring Mr Taylor home? Will he also speak to ministerial colleagues about the need for whistle-blowing law reform so that, in future, people like Jonathan Taylor get the support and protection they need?
We are providing ongoing consular support to Mr Taylor. Consular staff have been in regular contact with him and his UK lawyer. The British ambassador in Zagreb met him in December to discuss his concerns and explain the FCDO's consular functions. I spoke to the Monégasque Foreign Secretary and the Croatian Secretary of State for European Affairs in November and sought assurances that both authorities were giving full consideration to the fact that Mr Taylor is a whistleblower. The UK is a state party to a number of multilateral conventions that require adequate arrangements to be made for the protection of whistleblowers. The UK has made appropriate provisions to do so in our own law, demonstrating the seriousness with which we take our obligation, and we are encouraging our international partners to do likewise. We are, however, unable to protect whistleblowers in other jurisdictions that may not have the same law.
Assessment & feedback
The specific requests for intensifying efforts to bring Mr Taylor home and discussing legal reform were addressed vaguely without concrete commitments or actions.
Response accuracy