Written questions by Shannon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Pakistan on the recent arrests of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan’s Punjab Province.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I raised the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November 2024 and discussed this issue in Parliament on 28 November 2024. Our High Commissioner in Pakistan raised the issue of Ahmadi rights in a meeting with Prime Minister Sharif on 3 March 2025. On 6 March 2025, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials visited the Ahmadiyya headquarters in Rabwah to discuss key issues impacting the community. The UK remains committed to promoting minority rights in Pakistan - a commitment I discussed with representatives from the UK-Pakistan diaspora on 18 February 2025. We are not prepared to discuss the detail of individual cases where to do so could put individuals at risk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department holds statistics on the number of educational (a) placements and (b) scholarships the UK has offered to Afghani women over the last twelve months.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not hold records on the number of non-government placements and scholarships given to Afghan women. In 2024, the FCDO awarded 13 Chevening scholarships to Afghan nationals to study in the UK. Out of the 13, four awards went to women.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with international counterparts on freedom of (a) religion and (b) belief in Georgia.

All Georgians, regardless of their religion or belief, must be protected by their government and feel safe to gather peacefully. No one should live in fear for what they do, or do not, believe in. The UK regularly discusses the promotion and protection of human rights with international counterparts and vocally supports the right to freedom of religion or belief and other rights in Georgia, including through our work in the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department offers support to Sudan to help combat the spread of cholera.

The conflict in Sudan and the widespread destruction of sanitation and health services has caused a devastating cholera outbreak. In response, the UK is supporting UNICEF and others who are delivering lifesaving emergency health interventions including cholera treatment and prevention. We are also contributing to an ongoing cholera vaccination campaign in Kosti and Rabak, targeting one million people. UK aid is also addressing related needs across the region given the cross-border risks of Sudan's cholera outbreak. We continue to urge all parties in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access so that aid reaches those most in need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with counterparts in NATO countries on improving sexual health education in relation to (a) AIDS and (b) HIV in developing countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials do not engage directly with NATO regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) HIV education.The UK is proud to defend and promote universal and comprehensive SRHR, which includes comprehensive sexuality education, family planning, maternal and newborn health, HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention, safe abortion and period poverty. We remain committed to the global HIV response and to working in partnership with other UN member states as well as with the global health institutions towards a collective goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. Together we have helped to reduce new HIV infections by 60 per cent since the peak in 1995 and reduce AIDS-related deaths by 69 per cent since the peak in 2004.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on the use of AI in China to target and persecute religious people.

The Foreign Secretary has not discussed this specific issue with EU counterparts. However, he regularly discusses with likeminded partners a range of issues relating to China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the rights of Ahmadi Muslims in that country.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I raised the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November 2024, and discussed this issue in Parliament on 28 November 2024. On 3 March, our High Commissioner in Islamabad raised the issue of Ahmadi rights in a meeting with Prime Minister Sharif. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people, including Ahmadi Muslims, in accordance with international standards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his European counterparts on (a) religiously motivated hate crimes and (b) hostility toward religious (i) figures and (ii) communities in Europe.

The UK condemns incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, wherever this occurs, and we denounce hatred on the basis of religion or belief. We are committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We continue to address FoRB violations and protect the right to FoRB through our strong relationships with European counterparts, multilateral engagement - including through the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and Article 18 Alliance - and through our bilateral work. Ministers and FCDO officials regularly raise cases of concern. The appointment of David Smith MP, as the Special Envoy for FoRB, is a clear signal of the UK's ongoing commitment to these efforts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his German counterpart on the current investigation into allegations that Riol Chemie GmbH supplied toxic chemicals to Russia.

The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs has not had discussions with his German counterpart regarding their investigation into the German company Riol-Chemie GmbH for suppling toxic chemicals to Russia. We work closely with our allies and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to prevent the proliferation and deter the use of chemical weapons. On 8 October 2024, the UK announced sanctions on Russia's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops, its commander Igor Kirillov, and two of its subordinate laboratories for their involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. We will continue to work with our partners to uphold and protect the Chemical Weapons Convention's ban on the development, production, transfer or use of chemical weapons.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu on freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.

The UK Government proactively raises cases where blasphemy legislation has been used to restrict human rights with the Nigerian authorities and opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, including in the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. We will continue to raise Mr Sharif-Aminu's case as he appeals his sentence. Dialogue on human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), is a vital part of the UK's partnership with Nigeria. The right of individuals to express their beliefs or non-belief is essential to a free and open society.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to promote the John Bunyan Fund for Freedom of Religion and Belief.

The UK Government champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) John Bunyan Fund (JBF), the designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects, has a budget allocation of £460,720 in financial year (FY) 2024/25. The FCDO works to ensure that Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance irrespective of race, religion, or ethnicity. This includes minority religious or belief communities, including Christians, who are assessed by our partners when determining those most in need of protection and assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help stop the persecution of Christians in South East Asia; and if he will have discussions with his ASEAN counterparts on protecting (a) Christians and (b) churches.

The UK Government champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), our bilateral work, and our programme funding. The UK continues to hold countries to account on their FoRB commitments and obligations, including South East Asian nations, through our engagement with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and at the UN Human Rights Council. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to help secure the release of hostages held by the Fulani militia in Nigeria in the last six months.

The UK Government condemns all violence, including kidnaps, across Nigeria. Kidnapping for ransom is sadly a widespread practice in Nigeria, particularly in the North West where banditry is prevalent. Kidnappings often have financial rather than religious motives and communities of all religions and beliefs are vulnerable. Through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), a Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAKFC) has been established to support cooperation between Nigeria's security and justice agencies. This will both reduce the harm to victims and hold those responsible to account. Through the SDP, the UK also continues to deliver support such as training to strengthen the capability of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps in response to reports of religious oppression in Kabylie, in the context of the designation of Algeria by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as a Special Watch List country.

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports concerning religious oppression in Kabylie, including the closure of churches in the region.

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his counterparts in Algeria and (b) representatives of the Kabylie people on the political and human rights situation in Kabylie.

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reports of disappeared Tibetans on freedom of religion in that region.

We note reports, including one from UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups in November 2024, further evidencing China's repression of the people of Tibet. We raise human rights at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang and Vice Premier He respectively).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the protection of people non-adherent to the majority religion.

Promoting the rights and safety of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I underlined the importance of religious tolerance and harmony when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November. In a meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister on 20 November, the British High Commissioner and I also raised these issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help tackle (a) propaganda, (b) disinformation, (c) persecution and (d) other forms of transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party against Falun Gong practitioners.

Within China, the environment for freedom of religion or belief is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. This government will work to uphold the right to freedom of religion and belief for all abroad, for example through bilateral engagement. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Chancellor all raised human rights recently with their counterparts.Within the UK, attempts by foreign governments to intimidate, harass, or harm our residents will not be tolerated. We have a broad suite of powers available to counter this threat, and we continue to implement measures in the National Security Act 2023, which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports of freedom of religion or belief violations in India.

The UK Government condemns any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief, regardless of the country or faith involved. Concerns about the rights and opportunities of some religious minorities in India are widely reported, and our High Commission in New Delhi and network of Deputy High Commissions across India track these issues closely.We take this seriously. Dialogue concerning this is an important aspect of the UK-India relationship, and where we have specific concerns, we raise them directly with India. Our network in India also meets regularly with religious representatives from different faith communities, and, on 18 October, I held a roundtable with a range of faith leaders in Delhi to discuss issues facing religious organisations today.