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1132440

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Chemical Weapons
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he was informed that there was dissent among Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team members on 14 March 2019 when the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council voted down a proposal to allow all FFM team members to brief the OPCW Executive Council on the FFM investigation of an alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Derby North
tabling member printed	Chris Williamson
uin	265497
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>Ministers receive regular and frequent advice on Syria, including the use of chemical weapons by the Asad regime. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) published on 1 March 2019 the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) report into the chemical weapons attacks in Douma. The FFM conducted a full briefing of States Parties on 5 March. The Director General of the OPCW offered all States Parties the opportunity to submit further questions in writing; and to have technical discussions with the FFM. At the Executive Council on 14 March, the Russian delegation proposed without prior notice a vote on an FFM briefing to State Parties. The UK voted against holding a vote on this issue, as did a clear majority of Executive Council members. The Director General OPCW has confirmed that all evidence and views were taken into consideration in preparing the FFM report; and that the Technical Secretariat stands by the findings. These are: that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a toxic chemical, likely molecular chlorine, was used as a weapon in Douma on 7 April 2018. This is a clear breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The UK has confidence in the FFM's investigation and the conclusions of its report.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 20/06/2019 15:39:18 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	3976 label Biography information for Chris Williamson

1132455

registered interest
date	17/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Chemical Weapons
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he instructed the UK's permanent representative on the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council to vote against a proposal to allow all Fact Finding Mission (FFM) team members to brief the OPCW Executive Council on the FFM investigation into the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Derby North
tabling member printed	Chris Williamson
uin	265498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>On 14 March 2019 the UK and a clear majority of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council members voted against holding a vote on a Russian proposal on the handling of a briefing by the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM). The vote was called without prior notice. Instructions to the UK Delegation to the OPCW issued in line with normal procedures. The FFM briefed States Parties on 5 March on the findings of the Douma report and regular briefings are held, most recently on 28 May, on the OPCW's work in Syria. We continue to have confidence in both our own and the FFM conclusions into the chemical weapons attack in Douma on 7 April 2018.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 20/06/2019 15:41:50 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	3976 label Biography information for Chris Williamson

1132260

registered interest
date	14/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: International Military Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date the last official from his Department ended their secondment to IMS Ltd.
tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
uin	264790
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's current record of secondments, which dates back to 2013, holds no information about the secondment of an official from the department to IMS ltd.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/06/2019 15:26:45 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

1132294

registered interest
date	14/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Libya: Undocumented Migrants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the conflict, stability and security fund has provided to tackle irregular migration through Libya.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, West Derby
tabling member printed	Stephen Twigg
uin	264715
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has supported a range of activities designed to tackle irregular migration in Libya through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). Currently the CSSF supports the National Crime Agency-led Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce which, in the last 12 months, has supported the development of a Libyan-owned serious organised crime strategy, sharing best practice with the Libya Attorney-General's Office, and building niche law enforcement capabilities with trusted Libyan partners to tackle modern slavery and organised immigration crime threats. In addition, the CSSF is supporting the deployment of staff to the Operational Headquarters of EUNAVFOR Med Operation SOPHIA, the EU mission disrupting migrant smuggling and trafficking in the Mediterranean.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 19/06/2019 14:44:43 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	167 label Biography information for Stephen Twigg

1132295

registered interest
date	14/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sudan: Immigration Controls
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions has he had with his European counterparts on the EU's role in supporting border security and migration control in Sudan since December 2018.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, West Derby
tabling member printed	Stephen Twigg
uin	264716
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>​The UK is part of a longstanding European Union - East African partnership on managing migration, combatting organised immigration crime and addressing the devastating effects of trafficking in the Horn and North Africa. Discussions occur through mechanisms including the Khartoum Process, of which the UK is a member of the Steering Committee. The last senior officials meeting of the Khartoum Process took place in Nairobi on 8-9 May 2018. British officials in Sudan frequently engage with EU counterparts on a variety of issues, including migration control and border security. Part of EU-African joint efforts to tackle organised immigration crime in the Horn of Africa is delivered through the 'Regional Operations Centre Khartoum' (ROCK), to which the UK has contributed funding for a specialist expert in the past. However, due to recent events in Sudan, EU funded work on the ROCK is suspended. British officials in London, the region and Brussels are in frequent contact with EU partners to ensure all work in Sudan reflects the current situation, in line with our human rights priorities.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 19/06/2019 14:47:14 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	167 label Biography information for Stephen Twigg

1132296

registered interest
date	14/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Libya: Undocumented Migrants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether an Overseas Security and Justice Assessment has been undertaken for any of his Department's activity that supports the Libyan Coastguard or any other Libyan actors engaging in countering irregular migration.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, West Derby
tabling member printed	Stephen Twigg
uin	264717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>​All required Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) processes have been completed. An OSJA was undertaken in 2016-2017 for historic Conflict, Stability and Security Fund support to an Assisted Voluntary Returns project and, in April 2017, to cover the UK funding contribution for EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia Libyan Coastguard and Navy training task.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 19/06/2019 14:48:39 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	167 label Biography information for Stephen Twigg

1131998

registered interest
date	13/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Armed Conflict
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the UN to prioritise the protection of (a) people with disabilities and (b) older people in conflict zones.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	264424
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has been a leader in developing policies and practical action to promote the Protection of Civilians within the UN system. The Government is updating its Protection of Civilians Strategy to ensure that it is fit for purpose in the context of modern conflict, and comprehensive in addressing the situation of children and other particularly vulnerable people such as people with disabilities and older people in conflict zones. As part of that commitment the Government is working with the Polish Government to introduce a new UN Security Council Resolution specifically addressing the needs of the disabled in armed conflict within the broader protection of civilians resolutions that have already been agreed. The Government expects that Resolution to be passed before the end of June 2019.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/06/2019 15:35:29 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1132016

registered interest
date	13/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sudan: Crimes against Humanity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the risk of atrocity crimes in Sudan; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Edmonton
tabling member printed	Kate Osamor
uin	264443
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>​As we made clear in a statement alongside Troika partners (US and Norway) on 4 June, we condemn the recent violent attacks by Sudanese security forces against peaceful protestors in Sudan, which left many civilians dead or injured. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this in his statement on 6 June, which also called for the full restoration of the internet and freedom of the media. The UK has called for the human rights of all Sudanese people to be respected and for the resumption of the political process with the protestors and the opposition, and an agreed transfer of power to a civilian-led government, as demanded by the Sudanese people, in a swift, orderly and peaceful manner. On 6 June, I summoned the Sudanese Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to express the grave concerns of the United Kingdom at the use of violence against civilians by the Sudanese authorities. Also, the UK, through the UN Security Council issued a statement on 13 June that called for the violence to stop and emphasised the importance of human rights, protection of civilians, accountability and justice.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 18/06/2019 14:38:51 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4515 label Biography information for Kate Osamor

1132017

registered interest
date	13/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sudan: Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic and political steps the Government is taking to help tackle the violence in Sudan as part of its atrocity prevention policy.
tabling member constituency	Edmonton
tabling member printed	Kate Osamor
uin	264444
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK continues to engage with a range of opposition, members of the protest movement as well as the Transitional Military Council (TMC). The UK, alongside Troika partners Norway and the US, has called for all sides to engage in an inclusive dialogue that leads to a swift, orderly and peaceful transition to civilian rule. On 29 May our Ambassador delivered this message to Yassir Arman of Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and encouraged all armed movements to return to Sudan and take part in the talks to agree a civilian-led transition and achieve peace. We have condemned the way that the opposition leaders have since been treated by the TMC since they returned.</p><p>On 4 June in a joint Troika statement, we condemned the recent violent attacks by Sudanese security forces against peaceful protestors in Sudan which left many civilians dead or injured. We also expressed serious concern over TMC's announcement that it would cease negotiations and called for an agreed transfer of power to a civilian-led government. Our Embassy in Khartoum calls on members of the Transitional Military Council both in public and directly the steps that needed to be taken to improve the situation in Sudan, including the release of all political detainees.</p><p>On 6 June, I summoned the Sudanese Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to express our grave concerns at the use of violence against civilians by the Sudanese authorities. The UK has called for the human rights of all Sudanese people to be respected, the resumption of the political process leading to an agreed peaceful transfer of power to a civilian-led government, as demanded by the Sudanese people. We will continue to engage with all sides to support a settlement that works for all Sudanese people.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 18/06/2019 14:36:33 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4515 label Biography information for Kate Osamor

1132030

registered interest
date	13/06/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Loujain al-Hathloul
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help secure the release of Loujain Al-Hathloul in Saudi Arabia.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Diana Johnson
uin	264376
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>We are concerned that some women’s rights defenders, including Loujain al-Hathloul, remain in detention. We raise our concerns regularly and freely, using a range of Ministerial and diplomatic channels, including our Ambassador and Embassy team in Riyadh. The Foreign Secretary raised the detention of women’s rights defenders during his visit to Saudi Arabia in March. The UK was signatory to the joint statement on 7 March at the United Nations Human Rights Council which raised significant concerns about reports of continuing arrests and arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia, including women's rights activists. The UK, along with other embassies in Saudi Arabia, requested and were denied access to the trials of women’s rights defenders that took place on 13 and 27 March.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 18/06/2019 16:46:43 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson