Every parliamentary written question tabled by Apsana Begum this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 41 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Thor drones manufactured in the UK are being used in Gaza operations by Israel Defence Forces.
Following the suspension of licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the IDF in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excl...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Magni-X drones manufactured in the UK are being used in Gaza operations by Israel Defence Forces.
Following the suspension of licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the IDF in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excl...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any (a) unmanned aircraft system (UASs), (b) components for UASs and (c) technology used by UASs (i) made and (ii) developed in the UK are being used in Gaza operatio
Following the suspension of licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the IDF in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excl...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any products made by Leonardo UK are being used by Israel Defence Forces in operations in Gaza.
Following the suspension of licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the IDF in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excl...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any products made by Lockheed Martin UK are being used by Israel Defence Forces in operations in Gaza.
Following the suspension of licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the IDF in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excl...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any (a) quadcopter aircrafts, (b) components for quadcopter aircrafts and (c) technology used by quadcopter aircrafts (i) made and (ii) developed in the UK are being
Following the suspension of licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the IDF in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excl...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan.
In October, the UK successfully led the mandate renewal of the Human Rights Council UN Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan (FFM), which independently investigates credible evidence of human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, including sexual and gender-base...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has taken steps to provide aid to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan.
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is widespread and underreported in Sudan. Cases have increased significantly since the start of the conflict, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan. As part of the UK's Official Development Assistance to Sud...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of sexual and gender-based violence being committed by Israeli forces against Palestinia
We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians and the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women, children and vulnerable populations. The UK unequivocally condemns any alleged violations and abuses,...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has taken steps to provide aid to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Palestine.
We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians. The UK has consistently called for these reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors, and for all parties to take a survivor-...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his European counterparts on steps to help implement the arrest warrant for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c) Mohammed Deif
We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. It is for all ICC States Parties to consider how to me...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the incoming United States Administration on steps to help implement the arrest warrant for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c
We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. The UK is a State Party to the Rome Statute, and we wi...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the (a) arrests and (b) detention of (i) student leaders and (ii) protest participants in Bangladesh.
The Foreign Secretary and I have raised concerns publicly and privately about the recent unprecedented levels of violence, and tragic loss of life in Bangladesh. In July, I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to reiterate our concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In our public statements, we urged for an end to the violence and a de-escalation of the situation to prevent further loss of life. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The UK Government welcomed the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, and it has the UK's support as it works to restore peace and order as well as ensure accountability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart on reports of (a) violence towards protestors, (b) unlawful killings, (c) torture, (d) the shutting down of the internet and mobile services and (e) other forms of repression in that country.
I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner on 19 and 23 July to reiterate my concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In July and August, UK Government issued statements expressing concern about the situation in Bangladesh, calling for all sides to work together to end the violence and for internet access and communications services to be quickly restored. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order including investigating alleged human rights violations and ensuring accountability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the (a) arrests and (b) detention of (i) student leaders and (ii) protest participants in Bangladesh.
The Foreign Secretary and I have raised concerns publicly and privately about the recent unprecedented levels of violence, and tragic loss of life in Bangladesh. In July, I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to reiterate our concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In our public statements, we urged for an end to the violence and a de-escalation of the situation to prevent further loss of life. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The UK Government welcomed the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, and it has the UK's support as it works to restore peace and order as well as ensure accountability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Bangladeshi counterpart on releasing information on student protests.
The Foreign Secretary and I have raised concerns publicly and privately about the recent unprecedented levels of violence, and tragic loss of life in Bangladesh. In July, I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to reiterate our concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In our public statements, we urged for an end to the violence and a de-escalation of the situation to prevent further loss of life. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The UK Government welcomed the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, and it has the UK's support as it works to restore peace and order as well as ensure accountability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Bangladeshi counterparts on the (a) student protests and (b) human rights situation in that country; and if he will make a statement.
I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner on 19 and 23 July to reiterate my concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In July and August, UK Government issued statements expressing concern about the situation in Bangladesh, calling for all sides to work together to end the violence and for internet access and communications services to be quickly restored. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order including investigating alleged human rights violations and ensuring accountability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department supports an (a) impartial, (b) independent and (c) transparent investigation into alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh.
I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner on 19 and 23 July to reiterate my concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In July and August, UK Government issued statements expressing concern about the situation in Bangladesh, calling for all sides to work together to end the violence and for internet access and communications services to be quickly restored. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events was important. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order including investigating alleged human rights violations and ensuring accountability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK has provided training to the (a) Bangladeshi police, (b) Bangladeshi military and (c) Rapid Action Battalion.
UK ministers expressed concern at the violence used by the police against largely peaceful protests in July 2024. The UK Government welcomed the appointment of the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The interim government has the UK's support as it works to restore peace and order. The UK has provided short term training to sections of the police in Bangladesh. The UK has provided professional military education to Bangladesh military officers as part of our defence relationship. The UK does not currently provide training to the Rapid Action Battalion.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and human rights in Bangladesh.
The UK has been deeply saddened by the violence and loss of life in Bangladesh. The interim government has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order. The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary State for Business and Trade speak regularly on a range of issues. The UK monitors all countries on the Developing Countries Trading Scheme for serious and systemic violations of human rights, labour rights and environmental obligations. We are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh closely and raising matters regularly with the Government of Bangladesh in London and via our High Commission in Dhaka.