Written question asked by Lord Ahmed (Non-affiliated) on Wednesday, 10 June 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 June 2015. It was answered by Baroness Verma (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 June 2015 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Middle East: Internally Displaced People

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the proposed establishment of an international enclave, protected by the United Nations, in Syria and Iraq to house internally displaced people.

Answer: The UK welcomes any option compliant with international law that might save lives in Syria and Iraq. The situation in Syria and Iraq is incredibly complex, and international enclaves are not currently feasible. For such a safe area to work in any context, all parties to the conflict would need to agree on its establishment. In the absence of such an agreement, this would require foreign military intervention, authorised by a UN Security Council resolution.

Secondary information