Baroness Warsi: This information is not held centrally and to collate it would incur disproportionate cost. However, we are aware that the then Foreign Secretary, the right Hon. Member for Blackburn (North West) (Mr Straw), met Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat in London in July 2004. Mr Talat also met the then Prime Minister, the right Hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), in London in...
Baroness Warsi: I refer the noble Lord to the response I gave on 17 June 2014, Official Report, Column WA36, that, aside from the two cases of rendition through Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory) in 2002, there have been no other instances in which US intelligence flights landed in the UK, our overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies, with a detainee on board since 11 September 2001.
Baroness Warsi: We have raised these allegations with the Government of Iraq and called on them to ensure that Iraqi Security Forces’ actions are compliant with international human rights and international humanitarian law. We have also called on them to ensure that all perpetrators of human rights abuses in Iraq are brought to justice in accordance with the rule of law.
Baroness Warsi: The UK is working with the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, the Mau Mau War Veterans Association, the Nairobi Governor’s Office, and the National Museums of Kenya to make sure the proposed memorial is as inclusive as possible and promotes reconciliation. The Overseas Service Pensioners’ Association (OSPA) has also been fully consulted. The first plaque will state: “This memorial is a...
Baroness Warsi: We noted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments of 11 July. The UK has frequent conversations with EU partners about the Middle East Peace Process, but has not discussed these specific comments. The Foreign Affairs Council agreed conclusions on 21 July which firmly restated the EU’s commitment to the state of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable...
Baroness Warsi: We are aware of press reporting of these allegations. We do not have evidence that Dense Inert Metal Explosive (DIME) munitions have been used during the recent events in Gaza. The UK has no plans to make an investigation into the nature of weapons being used. However, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) has urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to do...
Baroness Warsi: The UK and EU have noted the appeal by 34 voluntary organisations for a ceasefire in Gaza. We agree with the need to implement a durable ceasefire that ensures peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. The UK has three objectives towards the crisis in Gaza—to secure a ceasefire, to alleviate humanitarian suffering and to keep alive the prospects for peace negotiations which are...
Baroness Warsi: Since the beginning of Israel's current campaign, the UK has had three immediate priorities—to secure a ceasefire, to alleviate humanitarian suffering, and to keep alive the prospects for peace negotiations which are the only hope of breaking this cycle of violence and devastation once and for all. We call on all parties to the conflict in Gaza to adhere to International Humanitarian Law...
Baroness Warsi: Consular officials at our Embassies do not normally attend court hearings. They do so in exceptional circumstances, for instance at key points in murder/manslaughter cases tosupport families, and on a case-by-case basis in cases where the death penalty could be imposed, or we have serious fair trial concerns. When officials do attend their role is to provide welfare support. We cannot...
Baroness Warsi: The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus. Like all other states, except Turkey, we do not recognise the self-proclaimed “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. It is for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an agreement on how to live together on their shared island. It is on that basis that the UN has supported the two communities in their negotiations since 1977....
Baroness Warsi: The leaders of the two Cypriot communities agreed the basis for a solution in their Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014. We fully support them in turning that set of principles and parameters into the reality of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. The UK’s approach on Cyprus is unrelated to the past activities of EOKA-B. The British Government recognises the...
Baroness Warsi: The UK is in regular dialogue with other EU bilateral donors and the European Commission to protect and promote women’s and girl’s access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. This includes safe abortion services in line with our policy on safe and unsafe abortion. The UK remains one of only a handful of international donors willing to tackle this highly sensitive issue.
Baroness Warsi: Our Ambassador in Iraq has discussed the formation of a new, inclusive Iraqi government with the new Speaker, Salim al Jibouri, and representatives of the major political parties. We welcome these first steps towards formation of the government and urge the Iraqi parliament to make swift progress on the election of a President and appointment of a Prime Minister.
Baroness Warsi: The UK has frequent discussions with other European governments about next steps on the Middle East Peace Process. The Foreign Affairs Council agreed Conclusions on 21 July 2014 which made clear that the only way to resolve the conflict is through an agreement that ends the occupation, that ends all claims and fulfils the aspirations of both parties. The conclusions reiterate the EU’s...
Baroness Warsi: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 July. He urged him to do everything to avoid civilian casualties, to exercise restraint, and to help find ways to bring this situation to an end. I refer the noble Baroness to the Statement on Gaza by the Prime Minister on 21 July 2014, repeated in the House of Lords...
Baroness Warsi: I refer the noble Baroness to the Statement made by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (York) (Mr Hague), which I repeated in the House of Lords on 14 July 2014, Official Report, Columns 434-437. I also refer the noble Baroness to the Statement of 21 July 2014 by the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member...
Baroness Warsi: I refer my noble Lord to the Statement made by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), which I repeated in the House of Lords on 14 July 2014, Official Report, columns 434-437. We are in close contact with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and our partners and allies. We continue to press the urgent...
Baroness Warsi: I am pleased by reports that the Government of Pakistan has agreed the framework and composition of the proposed National Commission for Minorities. The British Government regularly discusses human rights concerns with Pakistan. We will follow the work of the commission with close interest and urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure it is empowered to secure progress on these important issues.
Baroness Warsi: We continue to have detailed discussions with other European governments focused on both the current crisis and the need to find a sustainable solution to problems in Gaza, including improving long-term access for people and goods to and from the strip.
Baroness Warsi: Our policy towards Hamas is clear - we have no contact with Hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation. Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. Hamas must make a credible movement towards these conditions, which remain the benchmark against which their intentions are judged, before we consider a change in our stance.