§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received from the Government of Dubai consequent upon his note verbale regarding the arbitrary detention of George Atkinson; and if he will make a statement. [63415]
§ Mr. FatchettWe have not yet received a substantive reply. On 8 December my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had a meeting with the UAE Ambassador during which she raised the question of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's decision. My noble Friend asked that in the light of the UN Working Group's decision Mr. Atkinson be released. The Ambassador undertook to refer to his Government.
On 10 December the Government of the UAE told our Consul-General in Dubai that the Note is under consideration.
On 13 December, Mr. Atkinson was found guilty and sentenced to two terms of 3 years imprisonment plus fines. We understand he will appeal immediately.