Written questions by Shannon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department provides consular support for Christian missionaries in (a) Kenya and (b) other countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and our Embassies, High Commissions and consulates provide consular support to British nationals abroad in line with published guidance on gov.uk. In Kenya we have staff based in Nairobi who provide consular assistance to British nationals. We are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year, globally, whatever the purpose of travel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of anti-conversion laws in India.

The UK is firmly committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, as a fundamental human right. We are aware of concerns regarding anti-conversion laws in India, and their potential impact on religious minorities. Where issues arise, we raise them directly with the Government of India, both at national and state levels. Our diplomatic network across India monitor developments closely.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on people imprisoned under blasphemy laws for exercising religious beliefs in that country.

This Government remains deeply concerned by the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, particularly where they are used to target individuals for peacefully exercising their religion or belief. We regularly raise this issue at senior levels, urging Pakistani authorities to uphold due process, ensure fair trials, and protect those at risk. In March and June 2025, I raised concerns about freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) with Pakistani ministers. Working with the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, we are committed to championing the right to FoRB for all around the world - promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work, and our programme funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan; and what steps he is taking to promote respect for freedom of religion or belief in efforts to secure a peaceful resolution.

The UK welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and urges both sides to sign the agreement as soon as possible in the interest of lasting peace and stability in the region. We remain ready to support further progress wherever it may be helpful. The recent meeting between the leaders in Tirana marked a positive step forward, and we continue to encourage peaceful dialogue to address the remaining challenges. I reiterated this message during my engagements with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in April, as well as with Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister, Yalchin Rafiyev, on 30 April. The Foreign Secretary also conveyed this message during his phone call with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 17 June.The UK Government remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief globally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart on the (a) recent airstrike on Evin Prison in Tehran and (b) detention of (i) Christians and (ii) other religious minorities; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to (A) help uphold freedom of religion or belief and (B) advocate for prisoners of conscience in that country.

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary consistently called for de-escalation throughout the 12-day conflict. We continue raise Iran's repression of freedom of religion or belief, including against Christians, in multilateral fora. On 18 March, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN highlighted the continued systematic targeting and repression of religious minorities at the UN Human Rights Council. On 3 April, we were integral to the delivery of a new Human Rights Council resolution, which renewed and expanded the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, to investigate a broader range of abuses including against religious minorities, in an important step towards accountability.On 3 July, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, met the Baha'i International Community UN Representative, Simin Fahandej, to discuss the current situation faced by Baha'is in Iran. We continue to monitor the ongoing harassment and arbitrary detention of Christians in Iran, and in November 2024, called on the Iranian government to release religious practitioners imprisoned for their membership in or activities on behalf of a minority religious group at the UN Third Committee.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help uphold human rights in Kenya.

Over the past two weeks, in addition to regular engagement with Government of Kenya at all levels, we have issued three statements, on 11th, 18th and 24th June expressing concern at Kenyan police brutality and in support of fundamental freedoms, including a British High Commission Nairobi released joint statement reaffirming every Kenyan's right to peaceful protest, and the importance of preserving civic space, and called for swift, transparent and independent investigations into all instances of violence against protestors. The UK's development funding supports police reform, focusing on human rights compliant policing and accountability. We are committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with the Government of Kenya which will enable us to pursue shared interests, support Kenya's most vulnerable people, deepen our strong people-to-people links and raise challenging issues such as human rights.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) justice for victims and (b) protection for at-risk communities in the Middle Belt.

The UK Government is committed to supporting Nigeria address security challenges, including intercommunal violence in the Middle Belt, through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). The UK-Nigeria SDP works with Nigeria's security forces to tackle violence against civilian communities. As part of this dialogue, we previously welcomed a commitment from Nigeria on timely, effective and human rights compliant investigations of, and prosecutions for, terrorism. Additionally, through our Strengthening Peace and Resilience programme (SPRiNG) the UK is providing up to £38 million over five years from 2024 to 2028 to help tackle the root causes of intercommunal conflict, including security, justice, and natural resource management challenges.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent attacks on churches in El Fasher, North Darfur; and what steps his Department is taking to (a) protect religious minorities and (b) promote human rights and humanitarian access amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The UK condemns the reported bombing of churches in El Fasher, North Darfur, which killed and injured multiple people. We will continue to recognise the issue of Christian persecution globally, alongside the persecution of other individuals on the basis of their religion or belief. Our Special Envoy for freedom of religion or belief, David Smith, made a statement at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 4 March, highlighting our concerns regarding the coercion of non-Muslims in Sudan to change their beliefs through denial of work, food aid, and education. We are also providing support to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to enable their human rights monitoring and reporting, and in October 2024, led the renewal of the UN Fact Finding Mission for Sudan's mandate as part of the Sudan 'Core Group' in the UNHRC. On 15 April, following the Sudan London Conference, the co-chairs' statement called on relevant parties to allow and facilitate rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas of need through all necessary routes in adherence with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Nigerian counterpart following the killing of up to 200 internally displaced Christians in Yelewata, Benue State.

While the UK Government has not yet discussed the violent attacks on 13 June, UK officials have been actively engaging on broader security issues in Benue State. On 10 June, UK officials met Mr. Dickson Tarkighir, Member of the House of Representatives for Makurdi/Guma in Benue State and Chair of the House Committee on Constituency Outreach to discuss the root causes of insecurity in the region. The UK also maintains regular dialogue with key Nigerian institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), and the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) to address conflict in Nigeria's middle belt. During his visit to Nigeria between 28-30 May, the Minister for Africa raised Freedom of Religion and Belief and the root causes of insecurity in discussions with Nigerian counterparts, including the Foreign Minister and Deputy Speaker.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the AUKUS defence pact.

AUKUS is a landmark partnership which enhances UK deterrence, supports UK growth, and strengthens Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. The Foreign Secretary regularly discusses AUKUS with his US counterparts. He most recently raised AUKUS with Secretary Rubio when he visited Washington DC in June. In April at the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, he and Secretary Rubio both mentioned Indo-Pacific security as a challenge our countries are working together to address, including through AUKUS. In January, the Foreign Secretary discussed the partnership in his very first call with Secretary Rubio.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with (a) pro-democracy organisations, (b) civil society and (c) ethnic nationalities in Myanmar to promote (i) federal democracy and (ii) human rights in that country.

We continue to discuss the political situation in Myanmar with a range of opposition stakeholders, including the National Unity Government (NUG) and a number of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (ERO). I recently met senior NUG stakeholders, to reiterate UK support for inclusive dialogue in Myanmar.In April, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar calling for the Myanmar military to fully respect and protect the human rights of all persons in Myanmar, including Rohingya and other persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.UK Aid continues to support the role of civil society to promote peace and stability in Myanmar.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on the case of Junaid Hafeez.

The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels - pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those accused. In March 2025, I raised the heated discourse around blasphemy with Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior. Lord Khan of Burnley raised the misuse of blasphemy laws when he met Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs in April 2025. We are not prepared to discuss the detail of individual cases where to do so could put individuals and their families at risk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of foreign aid since 4 July 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to delivering effective programming. As we reorient our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget following the decision to shift to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income, we will have an even greater focus on delivering impact - ensuring every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the people we support.Effectiveness and value for money are assessed on an ongoing basis as part of embedded processes, and we continue to improve the effectiveness of all UK aid. The FCDO's Programme Operating Framework maximises the impact of aid through consideration of various factors including effectiveness, while programmes undergo an annual review of effectiveness using a results framework. To assess value for money and inform decision-making throughout the programme lifecycle, we use a mix of quantitative data and qualitative information.These are published to the Development Tracker website, as part of our ODA transparency commitments, which further supports aid effectiveness by providing information to inform other donors' spending decisions. Monitoring and evaluation play an important role in understanding the outcomes and impact of our work and we publish a range of outcomes statistics on GOV.UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) the enforced disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and (b) other concerns for the religious freedom of Tibetan Buddhists; whether he has made recent representations to his Chinese counterpart on these issues; and what steps his Department is taking to help protect religious rights for Tibetan Buddhists.

The UK Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We have serious concerns regarding the welfare and whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.We will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through the UN and bilateral engagement.  For example, the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively). The UK also joined a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October 2024.We continue to do all we can to encourage freedoms for religious and cultural expression in Tibet and across China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to (a) support and (b) help uphold human rights in Syria.

The UK has consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Government of Syria. We have been clear that civilians must be protected from violence and those responsible held to account. Our regular engagement with and support to Syrian civil society focuses on protecting and advocating for human rights and gender equality, ensuring an inclusive transitional process and supporting social cohesion. Through the Integrated Security Fund, we are also funding programmes to document human rights violations and support the trial and convictions of perpetrators of war crimes, including sexual violence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps with NATO to help tackle global wildfires.

A recent World Resources Institute report (https://gfr.wri.org/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends) highlighted record-breaking levels of forest loss, linked to climate change driven wildfires. Rising temperatures and environmental degradation are increasing the likelihood, severity and frequency of wildfires. NATO's 2022 Strategic Concept also defines climate change as a "crisis and a threat multiplier". The UK is working with international partners to protect, restore, and sustainably manage critical ecosystems, including tropical forests, and encouraging increased international collaboration on wildfires including through the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Global Fire Management Hub. Within NATO, all Allies are able to request support or assistance in response to crises or natural disasters. The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) is NATO's principal civil emergency response mechanism. In a crisis, it can coordinate assistance to the affected NATO Ally or partner country provided by other members and partners. The EADRCC has supported international responses to floods, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, mining incidents, public health emergencies and refugee crises.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with international partners to help ensure that people are not subject to violence due to their religion.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in, and we work to promote tolerance and mutual respect for all.We continue to highlight FoRB violations and abuses on the international stage, including through our position at the UN and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.We work with our allies and partners to encourage all states to uphold their international human rights obligations and hold those who violate or abuse human rights to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to support efforts to tackle (a) malaria and (b) other diseases of poverty globally.

The UK is a leading donor to the fight against Malaria. Our £1 billion pledge (2023-2025) to the Global Fund will support distributing 86 million treated mosquito nets, provide 452,000 doses of seasonal malaria chemoprevention and provide malaria treatment for 18 million people. The UK's £1.65 billion funding (2021-2025) to Gavi is helping to fund the rollout of malaria vaccines in up to 25 countries by the end of 2025. This is complemented by investments to support research and development and to improve access to key malaria products and support to the World Health Organisation and others to strengthen health systems. Additionally, our £1 billion funding to the Global Fund is expected to provide antiretroviral therapy for 1.8 million people and provide Tuberculosis treatment and care for 1.1 million people. Our £1.65 billion funding to Gavi will support immunisation of 300 million children and save up to 8 million lives from vaccine preventable diseases.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a right to consular assistance for medical emergencies.

The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recent killing of Dr. Sheikh Mahmood in Sargodha, Pakistan; and what steps his Department is taking to support efforts to protect the (a) rights and (b) safety of religious minorities in that region.

Promoting freedom of religion or belief is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement overseas. I raised the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan in a meeting with Pakistan's Minister of State for the Interior in March 2025. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the importance of Ahmadi rights at the highest levels, and has raised the tragic killing of Dr Sheikh Mahmood with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights and the Chief Minister of Punjab. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.