Written question asked by Tulip Siddiq (Labour) on Monday, 20 May 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 May 2019 (named day). It was answered by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 May 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya: Asylum

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to resettle vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers from Libya; and what support his Department provides to dedicated search and rescue teams in the Mediterranean for those trying to flee Libya.

Answer: Following the UNHCR's urgent appeal for resettlement places, the UK has committed to participate in the resettlement of the most vulnerable refugees who have been evacuated by UNHCR from Libya to Niger. This is in addition to the UK's existing commitment to resettle up to 3,000 vulnerable refugee children and their families from the Middle East and North Africa more widely by 2020 under the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme. The UK Government currently supports the EU's Operation Sophia through the provision of staff to its Operational Headquarters. Presently the Operation's naval operations are temporarily suspended, however should the Operation's air surveillance assets observe a vessel in distress, relevant information is sent to the nearest Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre to coordinate a response.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 256340
Session: 2017-19
Related items: Libya: Asylum
Thursday, 6 June 2019
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Asylum Rescue services Libya Resettlement Mediterranean Sea
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk