Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Friday, 13 October 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 October 2023. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Libya: IRA

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of using revenue raised from frozen Libyan assets to compensate people affected by acts of terrorism perpetrated by the IRA using Libyan-supplied weapons.

Answer: The UK Government reiterates its sympathy for UK victims of Qaddafi-sponsored terrorism, and indeed all victims of the Troubles. It is important that the UK Government pursues fairness and consistency in the provision of support to victims of terrorism and access to publicly funded compensation schemes. The UK's position with regards to victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism is that it is the responsibility of the Libyan Government to provide compensation. Moreover, the UK Government cannot lawfully use frozen Libyan assets to provide compensation to victims as doing so would break international law and our obligations as members of the UN.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 201977
Session: 2022-23
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Compensation Arms trade IRA Terrorism Victims Libya Freezing of assets
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk