PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Iraq: Internally Displaced People (24 January 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that internally displaced persons in Iraq who have fled from Mosul are not forcibly returned to Mosul following the recapture of that city; and when she last discussed that matter with her counterparts in (a) the US and (b) Germany.

Asked by:
Pat McFadden (Labour)

The UK remains closely engaged with the United Nations which is establishing a returns working group to support coordinated, safe returns in Mosul.

DFID officials regularly meet with donor colleagues, including the US and Germany, in Baghdad, Erbil, and other donor forums to discuss issues including safe returns. DFID officials also raised the issue of safe returns with the Kurdistan Regional Government who gave assurances that returns will be voluntary and dignified. The Minister of State discussed stabilisation with Iraqi and US officials during his visit in November 2016.

Answered by:
Rory Stewart (Independent)
31 January 2017