Every parliamentary written question tabled by Brendan O'Hara this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 75 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of levels of UK foreign direct investment into Georgia, in the context of reported targeting of journalists and peaceful protesters in the country, and and the continued detention of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her Vietnamese counterpart on freedom of religion or belief for independent religious communities in that country.
The UK regularly raises concerns with the Government of Vietnam about freedom of religion or belief for independent religious communities. Vietnam is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoR...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will support a facilitated departure of students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to universities in Scotland and across the UK this year.
Further to my answer of 12 January in response to Question 103313, a total of eight cohorts of students and qualifying dependants have so far been supported to leave Gaza to take up their university places in the UK for the 2025/26 academic year. The futu...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Home Office and Department for Education on establishing and funding a safe, facilitated departure scheme for the 2026 cohort of stud
Further to my answer of 12 January in response to Question 103313, a total of eight cohorts of students and qualifying dependants have so far been supported to leave Gaza to take up their university places in the UK for the 2025/26 academic year. The futu...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras published in April 2026, what representations her Department has made to the g
On 28 April, the Minister of State for International Development met with Peace Brigades International and Honduran human rights defenders in London to discuss the report in question, and she reinforced the UK's calls for stronger protections for human ri...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Six-Monthly Report on Hong Kong published on 26 March 2026, what diplomatic steps she is taking to secure the release of Jimmy Lai following reports tha
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 April in response to Question 127084.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras, entitled "Our Determination Outweighs Our Fear": Agrarian conflict and the cr
On 28 April, the Minister of State for International Development met with Peace Brigades International and Honduran human rights defenders in London to discuss the report in question, and she reinforced the UK's calls for stronger protections for human ri...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support religious minorities displaced by conflict in Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims and Christian communities in Chin State.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent Israeli legislation introducing the death penalty.
The UK opposes capital punishment in all circumstances, and we have raised our concerns directly with the Israeli Government about the recently-passed Death Penalty Bill.In a joint statement with Australia, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand on 29 March, we highlighted the discriminatory character of the bill, and urged the Government of Israel to abandon it.And on 30 March, the Foreign Secretary raised the bill in a call with Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and highlighted Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what outcomes resulted from engagement with Mir Hazem Tahsin Beg in July 2025 in relation to (a) support for Yazidi communities and (b) the location of disappeared persons.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 117286.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to support unaccompanied and separated children in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the protection of civilians in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to increase bilateral and multilateral humanitarian assistance to Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help ensure unrestricted humanitarian access in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Government of Zimbabwe on the attack on Professor Madhuku and other political activists; and whether she is taking steps to help support the protection of freedom of belief in Zimbabwe.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is aware of the assault on Professor Lovemore Madhuku and other National Constitutional Assembly activists. Freedom of expression is an essential quality of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe should be able to operate without harassment. Embassy officials remain in contact with the Government of Zimbabwe on these issues as part of our regular engagement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his contribution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Debate, Hansard entry 5th February 2026, Column 522, if he will publish the Government's criteria with for conducting its assessments of the risk of genocide occurring in Gaza.
The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his contribution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Debate, Hansard entry 5th February 2026, Column 522, if he will publish the assessment which he stated has been conducted by the UK Government with regards to the risk of genocide occurring in Gaza.
The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his contribution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Debate, Hansard entry 5th February 2026, Column 523, whether the Government will publish its assessment of the ICJ Provisional Measures of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024.
The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she had made representations to the Government of Malaysia on the detention and deportation of Rohingya refugees.
We regularly engage with the Government of Malaysia on a range of international matters, including human rights and humanitarian issues. We continue to encourage all countries to ensure that the rights and safety of vulnerable populations, including the Rohingya, are respected and protected. In July 2025, the previous Foreign Secretary raised Myanmar with the Malaysian Prime Minister.