Written questions by Wilson.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of allegations of electoral fraud during the Georgia elections held on 26 October 2024.

The UK supports the findings and conclusions of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) election observation mission following Georgia's 26 October parliamentary elections. That includes reports of election-day irregularities which demonstrate that the elections were not conducted according to international standards. We call on the Georgian Dream Government to implement all ODIHR recommendations as a matter of urgency. On 15 May, I raised my concerns over Georgia's negative democratic trajectory with Georgian Dream representative, Deputy Prime Minister Davitashvili. I am currently considering how to support election monitoring in the upcoming municipal elections.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his French counterpart on the attack on a Muslim worshipper in La Grand-Combe on 25 April 2025; and what steps he is taking to help support (a) freedom of religion or belief and (b) the protection of religious minorities in that country.

The UK is strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. The UK champions the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our position at the UN, G7, and other multilateral fora, and in our bilateral work. Ministers and officials engage with their French counterparts on a broad range of issues and the UK works with France and other partners through the International Contact Group on FoRB. This group met most recently in the margins of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March. Officials also regularly engage with faith leaders in France.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Egyptian counterpart on reports of (a) arbitrary arrests, (b) enforced disappearances and (c) threatened deportations of members of the Ahmadiyya community.

Egypt is a human rights priority country for the UK. We regularly raise concerns with the Egyptian government, including on arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and issues related to freedom of religion or belief. At the UN Human Right's Council's Periodic Review in January, the UK expressed concerns over the detention of journalists, activists, media restrictions and pre-trial detention practices. We called for fair trial standards and detainee releases. The UK champions freedom of religion or belief and continue to work with Egypt to ensure they protect these rights. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the adequacy of the observance of the Pakistani government to article 22 of the constitution of that country on freedom of religion or belief, in the context of forced religious education in schools.

Promoting freedom of religion or belief is a key part of the UK's diplomatic engagement overseas. I underlined the importance of religious tolerance and harmony when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Azam Tarar, on 19 November 2024, and raised this issue in Parliament on 28 November. I also discussed the rights of religious minorities in a meeting with Pakistan's Minister for the Interior, Talal Chaudhry, on 31 March, although we did not discuss religious education in schools specifically. The UK Government will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people, including those from religious minority communities, in accordance with international standards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department spent on promotion of freedom of religion or belief in the financial year 2024/25.

The UK 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 fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) John Bunyan Fund (JBF), a designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects. The JBF has a budget allocation of £460,720 in FY24/25. 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, who are assessed by our partners when determining those most in need of protection and assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Pakistani counterpart on the arrest of Ahmadi Muslims in Daska, Pakistan, for gathering in their local mosque on 28 February 2025.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I raised the deteriorating situation for the Ahmadi community 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. It would not be appropriate 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 potential implications for his policies of attacks on Christian communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what steps he is taking to help improve the (a) security and (b) humanitarian situation in the east of that country.

Recent attacks by IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are alarming and we are saddened by the loss of life. The ADF has been sanctioned by the UN since 2014. Protection of civilians, promotion of respect between different religious and non-religious groups, and human rights are priorities for the UK. We continue to work through UN bodies to promote and protect these rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is critical because of the current conflict. The UK will continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, and respect for International Humanitarian Law. The UK has announced £79 million in humanitarian support this year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to meet with his counterpart from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The UK's long-standing position is not to recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. This is in accordance with several UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey. While there are currently no plans for the Foreign Secretary to meet Mr Ertuğruloğlu, we continue to work with the UN towards a lasting Cyprus Settlement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the United Nations on the creation of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora. UK officials continue to discuss the issue with international counterparts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has reviewed policy on recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus since 2020.

The UK's long-standing position is not to recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. This is in accordance with several UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey. As a Guarantor Power and a friend to all parties, we will continue to support the efforts of the UN and all Cypriot communities towards a just and lasting settlement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent alleged instances of persecution against Christians in Iran.

We condemn Iran's restrictions against Freedom of Religion or Belief. Christians, particularly converts from Islam, and other minority religions, continue to face severe repression in Iran. We were proud to help deliver the Iran Human Rights resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee in November 2024, which called on Iran to cease monitoring individuals on account of their religious identity and to ensure rights are upheld. We will continue to hold Iran accountable for its repression of religious minorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what proportion of the Government's allocated funding for the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief has been directed towards supporting persecuted Christian communities globally in the last three financial years.

The UK 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 FCDO John Bunyan Fund (JBF), the designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects has a budget allocation of £460,720 in FY24/25. In FY 23/24 the JBF spent £170,000 and in FY22/23, £70,000. 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 respond to (a) attacks on (i) Christian communities, (ii) humanitarian access and (iii) religious freedom and (b) violence in Aleppo.

The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including minorities, publicly and in our engagement with regional and international partners. We are closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities, including Chri...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Azerbaijani counterpart on Armenian prisoners illegally held by the Azerbaijan regime.

The UK continues to urge the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that those detained during its longstanding conflict with Armenia, or during September 2023's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions, in...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the right of return of Armenians of Artsakh under international protection.

The UK has consistently encouraged the Azerbaijani authorities to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians displaced by conflict who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. We have no plans to raise international protection in relation t...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Azerbaijani counterpart on the protection of the cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh.

The UK Government is clear that the preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is important. We are aware of allegations from both Armenia and Azerbaijan that cultural and religious sites have been deliberately damaged over the course of t...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department taking through the (a) UN, (b) 7 and (c) other multilaterals to support freedom of religion or belief globally.

The UK ensures Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) remains on the international platform through our multilateral engagement.At the UN, we regularly take part in Interactive Dialogues with the UN Special Rapporteur for FoRB, most recently on 24 October. ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of church closures without provision for an alternative place of worship in Turkey; and if he will

Freedom of religion or belief is a priority for the FCDO. It is a fundamental right that we regularly discuss with the Turkish authorities. The Turkish government has repeatedly stated its support for the operation of churches and the religious houses of ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has taken recent steps to call on the Venezuelan National Election Council to publish the voting records from the Presidential election in that country.

The UK does not accept the legitimacy of the administration put in place by Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela in 2018. The UN was clear the outcome of the Venezuelan elections in July this year cannot be deemed credible without the National Electoral Council pu...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Venezuelan counterpart on taking steps to allow a democratic and peaceful transition following the recent presidential elect

The UK does not accept the legitimacy of the administration put in place by Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela in 2018. The UN was clear the outcome of the Venezuelan elections in July this year cannot be deemed credible without the National Electoral Council pu...