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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with senior Kurdish representatives from northern Iraq about the future of Iraq.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with senior Kurdish representatives from northern Iraq about the future of Iraq.
Our Consul General in Erbil has met with President of the Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and other KRG Ministers and party leaders in recent weeks. Officials in London regularly meet with the KRG Representation to the UK.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about attacks by ISIS on the Kurdish area of Kobane in the northern Iraq, its access via Turkey and the availability of medical treatment there for wounded fighters; and whether they are making representations to the government of Turkey about the...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about attacks by ISIS on the Kurdish area of Kobane in the northern Iraq, its access via Turkey and the availability of medical treatment there for wounded fighters; and whether they are making representations to the government of Turkey about the...
We are aware of reports of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (aka the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-ISIS) attacks on Kurdish forces in Kobane in Northern Syria. These unconfirmed reports suggest that the attacks began on 7 July, and that ISIL have employed heavy weapons seized from Iraqi Security Forces.
Representatives of the Kurdish Democratic Party (PYD) in Syria have claimed that ISIL forces are travelling through Turkey and receiving medical treatment there, though we have not been able to independently corroborate
The UK has regular discussions with the Government of Turkey on a range of Syria related issues, including preventing foreign fighters from using Turkey as a transit route to Syria and Iraq.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq regarding allegations of summary executions of captured persons, prisoners kept in prison after the end of their sentences, and other violations of human rights.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq regarding allegations of summary executions of captured persons, prisoners kept in prison after the end of their sentences, and other violations of human rights.
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.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Parliament of Iraq following its election of a Speaker, and in particular regarding the prospects of the early formation of a new government.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Parliament of Iraq following its election of a Speaker, and in particular regarding the prospects of the early formation of a new government.
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.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq last visited Camp Liberty in Iraq; and what is their assessment of the safety of the residents of that camp.[HL808]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq last visited Camp Liberty in Iraq; and what is their assessment of the safety of the residents of that camp.[HL808]
We do not keep records of visits by external agencies to Camp Liberty, though the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq continues to monitor
conditions at Camp Liberty regularly. They report that the provision of life support systems such as water, electricity and food continue to meet basic humanitarian standards. The Government of Iraq is responsible for security at Camp Liberty, and we do not make assessments of the safety of the camp’s residents.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are proposing in the United Nations to alleviate the situations in Syria and Iraq; and what assessment they have made of the likelihood of the United Nations taking such action.[HL742]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are proposing in the United Nations to alleviate the situations in Syria and Iraq; and what assessment they have made of the likelihood of the United Nations taking such action.[HL742]
The UK is actively working with our partners, including the Friends of Syria Core Group (‘London 11’) and the UN in bringing about a sustainable solution to the crisis in Syria through a negotiated political transition by mutual consent - this is the principle in the Geneva Communiqué agreed by the UN, the League of Arab States and the UN Security Council.
The UK is also at the forefront of the international response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Our total humanitarian funding for Syria and the region is now £600 million and we are leading efforts in the UN Security Council in pressing for a stronger Resolution that would give the UN’s humanitarian agencies the authority they have been asking for to deliver help to millions of Syrians in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
The UK has also announced £5 million of humanitarian assistance in response to the situation in Iraq, where the situation is fast-moving and complex. There is a need for new international efforts and mechanisms to stem the flow of arms to extremist groups, cut off their finances and prevent them from exploiting the economic assets that they have seized. The UK will be making proposals for this work.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the government of Iraq has accepted their offer to send counter-terrorism officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to assist against the current jihadi insurgency; if so how many personnel will be sent to Iraq; and how the recent decision to cut the number...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the government of Iraq has accepted their offer to send counter-terrorism officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to assist against the current jihadi insurgency; if so how many personnel will be sent to Iraq; and how the recent decision to cut the number...
We are currently reviewing a number of specific counter-terrorism options to assist the Iraqi government. However, any assistance can only be truly effective alongside an urgent show of unity by Iraq’s leaders. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), reinforced this message when he met with leaders across Iraq’s communities during his visit to Baghdad and Erbil at the end of June.
The Counter-Terrorism Department is one of the largest policy departments in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). We constantly monitor and review our projects, programmes and diplomatic engagement, as our part of the wider Government efforts on counter-terrorism, to ensure our resources are having the maximum possible impact in the right places as the global security environment changes.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will seek ways to contain and, if possible, eliminate the influence of al-Qaeda-affiliated and other jihadi groups in Syria and Iraq.[HL313]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will seek ways to contain and, if possible, eliminate the influence of al-Qaeda-affiliated and other jihadi groups in Syria and Iraq.[HL313]
The UK is deeply concerned by the growth of terrorism in Syria and Iraq, which threatens the Syrian and Iraqi people, the region, and the UK. We condemn all acts of terrorism committed in both states. Tackling the threat from foreign extremists currently operating as part of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a priority. I repeated the Statement on Iraq outlining the Government's response given to the House on Monday 16 June by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), House of Lords Hansard, Official Report, Columns 703-706.
The threat from foreign extremists is being tackled through a wide range of interventions from disrupting the flow of foreign-fighters travelling from the UK through to supporting the counter-terrorist efforts of regional partners.
Lords question for short debate on what is their assessment of the threat from the spread of militant aggressive jihadism in the Middle East.
Lords question for short debate on what is their assessment of the threat from the spread of militant aggressive jihadism in the Middle East.
My Lords, the city of Mosul was attacked by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other armed groups, and is no longer under the control of the Iraqi authorities. Fighting continues between these groups and the Iraqi security forces across parts of northern and western Iraq. Around 500,000 persons are reported displaced. The UK has announced £3 million of assistance to support immediate humanitarian needs.
My Lords, the city of Mosul was attacked by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other armed groups, and is no longer under the control of the Iraqi authorities. Fighting continues between these groups and the Iraqi security forces across parts of northern and western Iraq. Around 500,000 persons are reported displaced. The UK has announced £3 million of assistance to support immediate humanitarian needs.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the situation in the city of Mosul following its capture by Islamic militant members of the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); and of the safety of those who have fled the city.
My Lords, we have had reports of truly horrendous atrocities that are being committed on the ground. Some of them have been verified and some not. Our embassy is working with the Iraqi human rights commission to get a better assessment, but we have all seen the media reports. There is some
suggestion that some of those images may be from Syria where, of course, we are aware that ISIL has been operating and has committed similar atrocities. We can all judge how extreme and appalling this group is from the mere fact that in 2013 even al-Qaeda distanced itself from ISIL.
My Lords, we have had reports of truly horrendous atrocities that are being committed on the ground. Some of them have been verified and some not. Our embassy is working with the Iraqi human rights commission to get a better assessment, but we have all seen the media reports. There is some
suggestion that some of those images may be from Syria where, of course, we are aware that ISIL has been operating and has committed similar atrocities. We can all judge how extreme and appalling this group is from the mere fact that in 2013 even al-Qaeda distanced itself from ISIL.
My Lords, in thanking the Minister for her sympathetic reply, perhaps I might ask for her assessment of reports of the ruthlessness of atrocities, including beheadings and crucifixions perpetrated by ISIS against Christians and Muslims, which have caused the estimated hundreds of thousands of panic-stricken civilians to flee from the cities of Mosul and Tikrit to the rural Nineveh Plain and to the border crossings with Kurdistan, which are already jammed with cars trying to flee. What are Her Majesty’s Government able to do to help to provide protection for those civilians stranded in those places and also to ensure that the humanitarian assistance reaches all those in need?
My noble friend is right; the region has to step up and take responsibility, but ultimately this matter has to be led by the Iraqi Government. One of the first things we have been asking for is for a Government to be formed after the elections that took place at the end of April. It is important that that Government is inclusive. Much of what we see in terms of tensions between communities is because communities within Iraq feel excluded from the decision-making process. Of course, countries in the region have an incredibly important role to play. It is also important to distinguish between the fact that, of course, there is a Sunni-Shia dimension to these disturbances, but not all aspects of the Sunni community support ISIL.
My noble friend is right; the region has to step up and take responsibility, but ultimately this matter has to be led by the Iraqi Government. One of the first things we have been asking for is for a Government to be formed after the elections that took place at the end of April. It is important that that Government is inclusive. Much of what we see in terms of tensions between communities is because communities within Iraq feel excluded from the decision-making process. Of course, countries in the region have an incredibly important role to play. It is also important to distinguish between the fact that, of course, there is a Sunni-Shia dimension to these disturbances, but not all aspects of the Sunni community support ISIL.
Does my noble friend agree that whatever the outcome of all this turmoil in terms of changed boundaries and so on, it is absolutely the priority—imperative—to get a united front by all the powers in the region against this butchery and against the killing and bloodshed that is going on, regardless of whether they have Sunni or Shia affiliations? Does she agree that our country is rather well placed because of our skill and experience? We do not want to be involved militarily, but we are well placed to bring about and help this co-operation and halt all the horror.
This is an incredibly important matter and it is something we keep under review. Our travel advice reflects the reviews as they take place. The noble Baroness will also be aware that whereas we have several hundred embassy staff in Iraq—our main embassy is in Baghdad and of course we have one in the Kurdistan Regional Government area—the US has thousands of staff in Iraq, including, of course, in Basra.
This is an incredibly important matter and it is something we keep under review. Our travel advice reflects the reviews as they take place. The noble Baroness will also be aware that whereas we have several hundred embassy staff in Iraq—our main embassy is in Baghdad and of course we have one in the Kurdistan Regional Government area—the US has thousands of staff in Iraq, including, of course, in Basra.
My Lords, President Obama has decided to put American troops on the ground in order to protect American citizens and in particular the American embassy. Can the Minister tell us what steps the Foreign Secretary—or indeed the Prime Minister—is proposing to take in order to protect British citizens in Iraq and indeed our embassy?
First, I assure my noble friend and the House that Baghdad is under the control of the Iraqi Government. Of course, there are cities in the north and the west that have been occupied by ISIS. I can only give the assurances that the Iraqi Government have given us. Noble Lords will be aware that we receive regular updates from Iraq, and it clearly appears that at the moment ISIS is making advances. But it is for the Iraqi armed forces to fight back, and we will provide the support that is necessary.
First, I assure my noble friend and the House that Baghdad is under the control of the Iraqi Government. Of course, there are cities in the north and the west that have been occupied by ISIS. I can only give the assurances that the Iraqi Government have given us. Noble Lords will be aware that we receive regular updates from Iraq, and it clearly appears that at the moment ISIS is making advances. But it is for the Iraqi armed forces to fight back, and we will provide the support that is necessary.
Is the Minister aware that the road between Mosul and Baghdad is fully occupied—fully controlled—by al-Qaeda and ISIS forces? Is she also aware that Abu Ghraib, which is only five kilometres from Baghdad airport, is also occupied by AQ and ISIS, and that all the KRG border is now controlled by the Peshmerga, who are,
in some instances, only a few metres away from ISIS and AQ forces? With this situation, how confident is the Minister that the Iraqi Government will be able to reassert and maintain the integrity of the Federal Republic of Iraq without very serious support, not just from the region but from the wider world?
I am not sure about any direct funding. I am not sure whether we have that information or whether it is something that I could talk about here at the Dispatch Box. The noble Lord will have seen reports, as will other Members of the House, of the amount of money and gold that was in the vaults of the banks that were subsequently taken over by these extremist groups. That in itself is a worrying aspect of the finance that they now hold.
I am not sure about any direct funding. I am not sure whether we have that information or whether it is something that I could talk about here at the Dispatch Box. The noble Lord will have seen reports, as will other Members of the House, of the amount of money and gold that was in the vaults of the banks that were subsequently taken over by these extremist groups. That in itself is a worrying aspect of the finance that they now hold.
My Lords, given that minority communities are facing an existential crisis that threatens their very survival, can the Minister tell us what information the Government have about the sources of funding and finance that have allowed ISIS to build up such an amazing military capability, and will she share that information with the House?
I can, my Lords. One of the great achievements of this Government is their commitment to international development, which includes humanitarian work. I can confirm that a team from the Department for International Development arrived in the north of Iraq on 12 June to assess the situation, and on 14 June the International Development Secretary announced the £3 million emergency humanitarian assistance to which I referred in my initial Answer. That is something that we will keep under review. My right honourable friend the International Development Secretary updated Cabinet colleagues about that earlier today: it is a matter that she keeps under constant review.
I can, my Lords. One of the great achievements of this Government is their commitment to international development, which includes humanitarian work. I can confirm that a team from the Department for International Development arrived in the north of Iraq on 12 June to assess the situation, and on 14 June the International Development Secretary announced the £3 million emergency humanitarian assistance to which I referred in my initial Answer. That is something that we will keep under review. My right honourable friend the International Development Secretary updated Cabinet colleagues about that earlier today: it is a matter that she keeps under constant review.
My Lords, Ban Ki-moon was surely right when he said earlier today:
“There is a real risk of further sectarian violence on a massive scale, within Iraq and beyond its borders”.
Of course, that is an appalling enough prospect, but the humanitarian crisis that will undoubtedly follow will require additional humanitarian support. Can the Minister confirm that any request made to the United Kingdom will be considered and acted on properly?
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the situation in the city of Mosul following its capture by Islamic militant members of the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); and of the safety of those who have fled the city.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the situation in the city of Mosul following its capture by Islamic militant members of the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); and of the safety of those who have fled the city.
My Lords, the city of Mosul was attacked by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other armed groups, and is no longer under the control of the Iraqi authorities. Fighting continues between these groups and the Iraqi security forces across parts of northern and western Iraq. Around 500,000 persons are reported displaced. The UK has announced £3 million of assistance to support immediate humanitarian needs.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion, and with whom, they have had regarding Iraq’s new draft Personal Status Law and its impact on women’s rights.[HL5978]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion, and with whom, they have had regarding Iraq’s new draft Personal Status Law and its impact on women’s rights.[HL5978]
We are aware of concerns, which we share, about the draft Personal Status Law in Iraq. The law remains in draft, and has not been approved by Iraq’s parliament. We have raised our concerns about the draft law with the Iraqi Justice Minister, and have also discussed this issue with the UN and EU. We expect Iraq to uphold its international obligations under UN conventions to protect the rights of women and children.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the reported $195 million deal for arms sales by Iran to Iraq will have any impact on their assessment of President Rouhani's role in respect of stability in the Middle East.[HL5670]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the reported $195 million deal for arms sales by Iran to Iraq will have any impact on their assessment of President Rouhani's role in respect of stability in the Middle East.[HL5670]
We are concerned by reports of a possible $195 million purchase of arms by Iraq from Iran, and have raised the issue with the Government of Iraq. Importing arms from Iran would be in direct breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1747.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq about the security challenges facing the Turkmen community in Iraq and the alleged failure of Iraq’s courts to consider cases relating to the seizure of Turkmen land and properties; and whether, following the passage of...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq about the security challenges facing the Turkmen community in Iraq and the alleged failure of Iraq’s courts to consider cases relating to the seizure of Turkmen land and properties; and whether, following the passage of...
We meet regularly with members of the Iraqi Turkmen community both in the UK and Iraq, and are aware of the security and legal challenges they face, including those relating to land and property. We have called both bilaterally and through the EU for the Government of Iraq to provide adequate security for all of Iraq’s religious and ethnic minority communities. We have not discussed the situation for Iraq’s Turkmen community directly with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.