On Monday I asked international development ministers what is being done to secure the release of thousands of women unlawfully detained in Syria.  I secured a commitment from the government to pursue justice for those ill-treated by the regime.

According to Amnesty International, more than 13,500 women have been jailed since the war began in 2011, and more 7,000 women remain in detention.  Often detained simply because of links of family or friendship with members of the Syrian opposition, these women are reportedly subjected to the most appalling treatment: including torture, rape and sexual violence.

On International Women’s Day 2018, 10,000 women from over 50 countries travelled in convoy from Istanbul to the Turkey-Syria border to launch a global appeal on behalf of these women.

The Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Alistair Burt, spoke in reply.

As well as commending those women who were part of the convoy, the Minister said, “we must continue to press for justice for those who have been so ill-treated”, and confirmed the UK will support the UN commission of inquiry’s investigations into human rights violations and abuses in Syria.