Thank you to Ian for bringing the pain and the horror to PMQs today.. it has got the Foreign Secretary into action too...
Transcript from the Hansard:
Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP)
At least 194 people have been killed in the past 48 hours in
Eastern Ghouta. Will the Prime Minister tell the House what discussions her
Government have had with UN colleagues since Sunday on the enforcement of the
existing UN resolutions that call for an end to sieges of civilian areas and
attacks on civilians?
The Prime Minister
The right hon. Gentleman raises an important issue. We are
appalled by the escalation of air strikes in Eastern Ghouta and deeply
concerned by reports of the ongoing deliberate targeting of civilians and
civilian infrastructure, in blatant violation of international humanitarian and
human rights law. We, as the United Kingdom Government, certainly call on the
regime and its backers to cease this campaign of violence. They should respect
international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and allow rapid and
unfettered humanitarian access. There is concern that something like 700 people
who need medical evacuation are being refused that evacuation by the regime. We
will continue to work with the UN and the UN Geneva-led process. The UN envoy
has our full support for his work to try to bring an end to this by finding a
political solution for Syria.
Ian Blackford
I thank the Prime Minister for that answer. The bombing is
relentless. Doctors on the ground are treating pregnant women and babies who
have lost limbs. It is estimated that well over 100 children have been killed
since Sunday. The UN has issued desperate pleas calling for political
intervention. It has stated:
“No words will do justice to the children killed, their
mothers, their fathers and their loved ones”.
Will the Prime Minister show leadership and join me in
calling for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address the
horrific genocide that is unfolding in Syria?
The Prime Minister
The United Nations has called on Governments around the
world to call out the action that has been taken and to be ready to stand up
against that action. That is exactly what this Government are doing. We will
talk to our UN colleagues to ensure that the best possible approach can be
taken in relation to these issues, but it is not just about the Syrian
Government; it is about the backers of the Syrian Government as well. We call
on all their backers, including Russia, to ensure that the violence stops, and
that those people who are need of help are given that help.
