Linked Data API

Show Search Form

Search Results

1002687
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2018-11-06more like thismore than 2018-11-06
answering body
Department for International Development more like this
answering dept id 20 more like this
answering dept short name International Development remove filter
answering dept sort name International Development more like this
hansard heading Syria: Abduction more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether funding allocated by her Department to non-governmental organisations operating in Idlib province in Syria has been used to make ransom payments to obtain the release of kidnapped aid workers in 2018. more like this
tabling member constituency Islington South and Finsbury more like this
tabling member printed
Emily Thornberry more like this
uin 188761 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2018-11-13more like thismore than 2018-11-13
answer text <p>Kidnapping for ransom poses a threat to the safety and security of aid workers and NGO staff operating throughout Syria, including in Idlib province. The UK continues to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and humanitarian actors, so aid can reach those in desperate need, and those responding to the crisis can help the most vulnerable without fear of attack. Under a duty of care to their staff, humanitarian agencies should be conducting risk assessments and taking appropriate mitigating action to protect workers. The UK will continue to support any action to protect humanitarian actors throughout the country.</p><p> </p><p>The UK does not make ransom payments, on the basis that providing money or property fuels terrorist activity and encourages further kidnappings. Any payment to, or for the benefit of, a proscribed terrorist organisation is contrary to UN sanctions, and therefore illegal. DFID aid complies with UK and international counter terrorism legislation, and our funding agreements commit partners to understand and comply with international counter terrorism legislation. All partners undergo a stringent due diligence process and strict controls and procedures are in place to prevent diversion, to ensure that UK aid reaches its intended beneficiaries.</p>
answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Alistair Burt more like this
grouped question UIN 188759 more like this
question first answered
less than 2018-11-13T17:58:53.137Zmore like thismore than 2018-11-13T17:58:53.137Z
answering member
1201
label Biography information for Alistair Burt more like this
tabling member
1536
label Biography information for Emily Thornberry more like this