Topical Questions 2021-04-20

2021-04-20

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Dave Doogan SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Context
My constituent David Cornock tragically lost his son in Thailand in 2019. The FCDO insists that Mr Cornock petition the Thai Attorney General personally to get his case reopened and properly investigated.
My constituent David Cornock tragically lost his son in Thailand in 2019, and after supporting him for 18 months, I am inclined to agree with his assessment that his son was murdered. The FCDO insists he petition the Thai Attorney General personally but there is not a single instance of success following this route. Will the Secretary of State meet me and my constituent to discuss the matter?
First of all, we at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office try to give the best advice that we can as to how such cases—I have dealt with a number of these difficult cases over the years—can be raised most effectively. If it is viewed that there is political interference, it is often counterproductive. Of course, we will take another look at the case to see whether there is anything more that we can do.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to meeting the questioner or the constituent and did not explicitly agree to review the protocol.
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The 2001 UN conference against racism in Durban was marked by antisemitism and criticism of Israel. The UK Government is being asked about its stance on attending the upcoming Durban IV conference.
Will the UK Government boycott Durban IV, which marks the 20th anniversary of that disgraceful 2001 conference?
We will obviously attend the UN General Assembly in September. In relation to the Durban declaration and its anniversary, let me reassure my right hon. Friend that—as we demonstrated at the Human Rights Council recently on the approach that we took to items 7 and 2—we will not support any partisan or political attacks on Israel. I reassure her that the Government are absolutely crystal clear in our condemnation of and opposition to any and all forms of antisemitism.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Catherine West Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Context
Brazil, under the leadership of Jair Bolsonaro, has seen a rise to the highest levels of deforestation impacting indigenous communities.
If the Government are serious about tackling the climate emergency, where is the leadership on the deforestation question in Brazil? Has the Foreign Secretary raised this directly with Jair Bolsonaro?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. Deforestation is a key plank of our agenda for COP26, and I have raised it in Indonesia, where it is obviously a big issue, and in parts of Asia. I also raised it recently in a virtual meeting I had with Foreign Minister Araújo of Brazil, although he is no longer in place.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific actions or steps being taken to address deforestation in Brazil beyond mentioning previous meetings and the COP26 agenda.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The UK has secured a new resolution on accountability in Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.
Could the Minister outline what steps the UK is taking to implement the UN high commissioner's recommendations on applying sanctions and travel embargos and filing cases against alleged war crimes under universal jurisdiction?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. The Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, set out the UK's serious concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka in a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 25 February, and the UK has welcomed the adoption in March of a new UN Human Rights Council resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. That UK-led resolution enhances the UN's role in monitoring the situation and collecting evidence of human rights violations that can be used in future accountability processes.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide details on sanctions or travel embargos and was careful to avoid speculation about further designations.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
The Skripal poisoning case has revealed GRU officers' involvement in murder and explosions in the Czech Republic, raising concerns about delayed public information.
I agreed with the Prime Minister that his greatest mistake was misplaying Russia. We now know that the Skripal poisoning involved GRU officers acting on Kremlin orders, also linked to a murder and explosion in the Czech Republic. Why has it taken so long for this information to be released, and how will we ensure murderers on Putin's payroll are not roaming freely in Europe?
The Czech explosion was many years ago and the attribution required a long investigation by the Czech authorities. We have increased screening and accountability measures, including through Magnitsky sanctions for human rights abuses and dirty money.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the question about why it took so long to release information or specific steps to prevent GRU officers from operating freely in Europe.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Stella Creasy Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Context
Tyrell Matthews-Burton, a young constituent of the MP from Walthamstow, was murdered in Greece eight years ago. The family is seeking justice but faces challenges with Greek authorities.
My constituent Tyrell Matthews-Burton was brutally murdered in Greece eight years ago. His family has fought for justice, and despite convictions, they face difficulties due to the Greek authorities. Will you meet me and Tyrell's family so we can prove that this country fights for justice regardless of skin colour?
We take consular work seriously, dealing with cases day in, day out. I am happy for Ministers to look again at the case raised by Stella Creasy to see if we can provide more closure and accountability.
Assessment & feedback
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Q7 Direct Answer
Context
The MP inquires about steps being taken with international counterparts to prepare for the G7 leaders' summit in Cornwall.
What steps is my right hon. Friend taking with his international counterparts to prepare for the G7 leaders' summit this summer in Cornwall?
I will convene a G7 Foreign and Development Ministers meeting from May 3-5 here in London. This will be an opportunity to build on work on equitable access to vaccines, global girls education targets, climate finance, media freedoms, human rights, and democracy.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Dan Carden Lab
Liverpool Walton
Context
The MP raises concerns about the global debt crisis affecting poor countries and suggests legislation for private creditors to participate in debt relief.
What are the Government doing to address the global debt crisis engulfing the world's poorest countries? Might I suggest that one way to show leadership on that would be for this House to pass legislation to compel private creditors to participate in debt relief and to stop them suing for debt recovery under UK law?
We are already doing a lot on debt suspension through the common framework and addressing remaining countries like Somalia and Sudan. There are complexities with China's sovereign debt, multilaterals, and private sector debt, which we encourage to participate where appropriate.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the suggestion about passing legislation in the House to compel private creditors to participate in debt relief.
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Context
The MP highlights the impact of digital poverty on education in developing countries during the pandemic, particularly for girls.
Covid-19 has exposed digital poverty in developing countries. Millions of children, especially girls, have lost educational opportunities due to lack of internet access. What action is being taken to ensure that the UK uses its presidency of the G7 and the Global Partnership for Education to enable the most marginalised children, in particular girls, to return to school?
Girls education is at the heart of our G7 presidency. We are working with G7 members on SDG 4 milestones for more girls in school and reading, and hosting a global education summit to mobilise financing for education recovery post-covid.
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Q10 Partial Answer
Ian Byrne Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Context
The MP raises concerns about the involvement of Colombian security forces in the deaths of protestors and eye injuries from projectiles.
I declare an interest: a visit to Colombia with Justice for Colombia. In February, the UNHCHR reported on alleged involvement of Colombian security forces in the deaths of at least 13 protestors last year. There have also been reports of increased numbers losing sight due to police actions. Will you raise these cases and importance of full investigations with your Colombian counterparts?
We welcome Colombia's commitment to implementing the 2016 peace agreement. We regularly raise human rights concerns with the Colombian Government and at the UN, support at-risk individuals, and work on tackling root causes of violence.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to raising specific cases involving legal and disciplinary investigations for protestors' deaths and injuries.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
John Lamont Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Context
The question pertains to the success of Israel's vaccination programme and its implications for travel arrangements between the UK and Israel.
It is brilliant to see the UK and Israel working so closely together in the roll-out of our world-leading vaccination programmes. Israel has vaccinated almost half its population with both doses of the covid vaccine, so will the Minister provide an update on the status of discussions with Israel on establishing a travel corridor arrangement?
I thank my hon. Friend for that very topical question. We welcome the success of the Israeli vaccination programme, and the co-operation between the UK and Israel on covid continues throughout the pandemic. On 17 May, the Prime Minister will announce further travel measures and which countries will fit into which traffic-light categorisations. We are looking to see how we can share health data, and we are all looking forward to hearing from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster following his visit, to get some real-life examples on what we can do here in the UK.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific update on discussions regarding establishing a travel corridor arrangement with Israel.
Looking To See How We Can Share Health Data
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