Written questions by Glen.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recent death of Roman Catholic lay leader, Dr Carlos Cardenas Zepeda, in Nicaragua; and what steps she is taking with her Nicaraguan counterparts to ensure the improvement of detention conditions in the country.

As set out in the UK's statements at the UN Human Rights Council on 28 February and 23 September, the UK remains deeply concerned by the relentless attack on human rights in Nicaragua. We will continue to monitor developments closely and urge the Nicaraguan authorities to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of (a) targeted attacks and (b) instances of (i) forced conversion and (ii) imprisonment of (A) Christians and (B) other religious minorities in Afghanistan; and what recent representations she has made to the authorities in Afghanistan on these matters.

Afghanistan is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) freedom of religion or belief approach, announced on 8 July. FCDO officials regularly urge the Taliban to uphold human rights. We also engage directly with a range of Afghans to inform our policy and programmes. The UK Government supports the UN Special Rapporteur's mandate to document abuses, including those targeting religious minorities. Without inclusive governance that reflects Afghanistan's religious, ethnic, gender and cultural diversity, we will never see an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts to ensure the protection of (a) Yazidis, (b) Christians and (c) other religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq; and what steps she is taking to ensure aid reaches displaced communities in northern Iraq.

The UK is committed to supporting displaced communities in northern Iraq. We fund quick impact projects and livelihood support activities through the International Organisation for Migration and, through our Building Peace and Stability in Iraq programme, fund the office of the UN Durable Solutions Adviser which leads the UN's strategic coordination efforts.The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. On 8 July, the Government publicly set out its approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement including for countries navigating the impact of conflict, both past and present, such as Iraq, including the Kurdistan region.In July 2025, the former Minister for Human Rights and the UK Special Envoy for FoRB met with Mir Hazem Tahsin Beg, the Prince of the Yazidis. We also raise threats to minority faith communities in regular engagements with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and in multilateral fora. For example, at Iraq's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in June, we recommended that Iraq upholds the right for minorities to freely practice their religion or belief, without fear of persecution.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the authorities in Myanmar on the reported increase in attacks on the Rohingya community; and what steps he is taking with international partners to help ensure humanitarian aid reaches displaced minority communities.

The UK continues to condemn the Myanmar military regime's use of violence against civilians, including the systematic persecution and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities, such as the Rohingya. In April, we co-sponsored a 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.Since 2017, the UK has provided over £108 million in support to communities in Rakhine, with an estimated £52 million in aid for the Rohingya and other Muslim minority groups. We are deeply concerned by the food security situation in Rakhine State and are working with international partners to improve humanitarian access to communities across the state.Through our humanitarian programme, we have reached 1.3 million people since 2022 in conflict affected areas across Myanmar with essential humanitarian support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic démarches his department has delivered to advance religious freedom during bilateral visits to Vietnam.

I pressed the Vietnamese Government to respect people's rights to speak freely, to meet in groups, and to practice their religion during my October 2024 visit to Vietnam. I followed up with my counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Hang, on 17 March and will keep raising this with Vietnam alongside our Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, David Smith MP. The UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership includes cooperation on human rights, including concerns about religious freedom.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the decline of freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) new approach to freedom of religion or belief, announced by the UK Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, on 8 July. FCDO officials regularly press the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, most recently in July. We continue to support the UN Special Rapporteur and his mandate to document human rights abuses in Afghanistan, including against minority groups. Without truly inclusive governance that reflects the religious, ethnic, gender and cultural diversity of Afghanistan, we will never see an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of disputes involving religious communities in the Bukovina region of Ukraine; and what steps he is taking to support freedom of religion or belief in the area.

We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Ukraine. Ukraine's democracy is well known for its commitment to religious pluralism. The UK regularly engages with Ukrainian religious groups and the Government of Ukraine on this issue, including on Law 8371 which mandates that religious organisations must cut ties with the Russian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate. The Ukrainian Government and religious leaders have offered reassurances that the law responds to clear national security threats. In February, a delegation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches met Parliamentarians and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials to discuss religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories, and Law 8371.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of (a) abductions, (b) forced marriages and (c) religious conversions of (i) Christian and (ii) other minority girls in Pakistan.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I am deeply concerned by reports of abductions, forced marriages and religious conversions of Christian and other minority girls. I raised the importance of protecting minority rights with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights during my visit in November 2024 and Lord Khan raised this in meetings with senior Government of Pakistan interlocutors during his visit in April 2025. Our High Commission in Islamabad continues to raise these issues at the highest levels and engages regularly with civil society to monitor the situation. We urge the Government of Pakistan to uphold its international human rights obligations and ensure that all citizens, regardless of faith, are protected from coercion and violence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the protection of religious freedom for Christian communities in Nepal, in the context of (a) recent political movements advocating for the restoration of a Hindu kingdom and (b) trends in the number of attacks on Christians.

The UK condemns all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief, recognising that freedom of religion is a cornerstone of human rights and democratic societies. Our Embassy in Kathmandu engages a range of different faith leaders and civil society on human rights. Through this and other engagement, the UK will continue to signal respect for religious diversity and support for everyone's right to freely practise their faith, traditions, and beliefs without fear or prejudice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the adequacy of levels of freedom of religion or belief in Cameroon; and what steps he is taking to support this right in that country.

The Cameroon Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship. The UK Government continues to monitor civil and political rights in Cameroon and is committed to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). This includes advocating for the protections of all vulnerable communities through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora as well as bilaterally with the Government of Cameroon and other influential parties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the new Special Representative for Climate is a direct ministerial appointment; what the terms of reference were for this appointment; and whether she has made any de

The Special Representative for Climate is a Direct Ministerial Appointment.The Special Representative's Terms of Reference are available on gov.uk.The Special Representative has made a declaration of interest.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 2067 on Government Hospitality: Wines, what the (a) full name, (b) vintage and (c) cost was of each (i) wine and (ii) s

The Government Wine Cellar has not been used for hospitality at Downing Street since the general election.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) direct ministerial and (b) other public appointments to his Department and associated bodies have (i) been (A) removed from their posts and (B) asked to resign and (

Part (i)The FCDO does not routinely record and collect the reasons why appointees leave their positions, so is not in a position to answer this part of the question. Additionally, the reasons why an appointee has left their role is the appointee's persona...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the recommendations of the Summary Report of the APPG on Afrikan reparations, published in October 2

Museums and galleries in England operate independently of the government. Decisions relating to the care and management of their collections are a matter for the trustees of each museum. The Arts Council published guidance in 2022 on the handling of resti...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many people, other than special advisers, have been appointed to civil service posts in his Department without open competition since 4 July 2024; what their (a) job titl

At the delegated grades, the table below shows we have appointed the following since 4 July 2024 to civil service posts in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office without open competition in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles [htt...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2024, to Question 1242, on USA: Diplomatic Service, what the process for the appointment of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of

Heads of Mission roles are usually advertised across Government and open to serving Civil Servants. The process for the appointment of His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States of America will be determined in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Joint statement on the Middle East, published on 12 August 2024, if he will publish a list of the allies of Iran.

Iran continues to proliferate advanced weaponry, alongside providing financial and political support to its proxies and partners including Lebanese Hizballah, Hamas, the Houthis and other groups in Iraq and Syria. Since 7 October, these groups have conduc...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on the use of (a) the G-GBNI A321 and (b) non-scheduled flights for official business.

The Foreign Secretary follows the Ministerial Code in relation to use of GBNI and non-scheduled flights for official business. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-code/ministerial-code#travel-by-ministers

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Prime Minister will make it his policy to appoint a Minister with specific cross-Government responsibility for British citizens living overseas.

I am the Minister responsible for consular and crisis operations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister plans to use the Government Wine Cellar for functions at 10 Downing Street.

Decisions on the use of the Government Wine Cellar for official functions are made based on the requirements of each individual event.