Written questions by Dhesi.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Bangladesh Government on the protection of religious minorities in that country.

The UK condemns all forms of violence. I discussed Bangladesh's commitment to inclusion when I met Prime Minister Rahman in February. We engage with authorities in Bangladesh to ensure accountability, protect and promote interfaith harmony and uphold the rule of law.Our commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is also demonstrated through our £27 million Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme (2023-2028), which aims to safeguard civic space, encourage inclusive dialogue and address the underlying tensions that can lead to violence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in Iraq on the treatment of Assyrians in that country.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to question 108273 on 29 January 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in Iraq on the rights of religious minorities in that country.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 October 2025 in response to Question 75586.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information she holds on the reasons for China’s recent mobilisation of fishing boats to form floating barriers.

We are aware of media reporting regarding a recent mobilisation of Chinese fishing vessels in the East China Sea. The UK has enduring interests in the Indo-Pacific and is committed to maintaining regional security and stability. We are committed to international law, the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to freedom of navigation and overflight.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will ensure that her Department has contingency plans in place to respond to any invasion or hostile act against Greenland by a foreign power.

It has been the long-standing policy of the United Kingdom under successive governments never to speculate on hypothetical operational responses to hypothetical scenarios.I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate, where she set out in comprehensive terms the UK's position on Greenland.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent consular support has been provided to Jagtar Singh Johal.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 December in response to Question 97066.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps have been taken alongside the Home Office to prevent UK companies from facilitating evasion of sanctions on behalf of sanctioned individuals.

Following publication of the cross-government review of sanctions in May 2025, we are committing to making compliance easier for UK industry, deterring non-compliance, and making sure we have the right powers and capabilities to enforce breaches. For example, we published guidance in January 2025 for UK businesses on Countering Russian sanctions evasion which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countering-russian-sanctions-evasion-and-circumvention/countering-russian-sanctions-evasion-guidance-for-exporters.Furthermore, we have launched a sanctions hub signposting essential UK sanctions content, an enforcement page highlighting outcomes and key compliance lessons, a starter guide for UK sanctions and a navigation tool to report suspected breaches.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Iranian counterpart on reports of (a) property and (b) asset seizures from the Baha'i community in the Isfahan Province.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 18 September to the question 74968.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken with international partners to help ensure that (a) pregnant women and (b) breastfeeding women and (c) young children can access (i) healthcare and (ii) humanitarian aid in Gaza.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 4 November to Question 85841.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on ending religious-based violence in that country.

The UK remains deeply concerned about religious-based violence in Bangladesh. The previous Minister for the Indo-Pacific visited Bangladesh in November 2024 and discussed the importance of protection of religious minorities with the Chief Adviser. In February 2025, the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, visited Bangladesh and held meetings with the Interim Government to discuss issues of justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.The UK welcomed public condemnations of violence from Bangladeshi leaders and civil society and supports the interim Government's actions to safeguard vulnerable communities.Our commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is reflected in our £27 million Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme (2023-2028), which aims to protect civic space, foster inclusive dialogue, and address tensions that can lead to violence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support British citizens in the Caribbean impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 4 November 2025, Official Report, vol. 774, col. 33WS to 35WS.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has taken steps to help support residents of the Cayman Islands in response to Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 4 November on the UK's response to Hurricane Melissa.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the UK Government will continue it’s policy not to place pressure on Ukraine to adopt a policy of appeasement against Russia.

The UK is focussed on ensuring Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, and on ramping up the pressure on Putin to force him to engage in meaningful talks that result in a just and lasting peace. We are united with partners that the fighting should stop immediately, that the current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations, and that international borders must not be changed by force.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy for the UK to advocate against a policy of Ukrainian appeasement towards Russia in diplomatic discussions with all other countries, for as long as it remains Ukraine's position to oppose appeasement.

The UK is focussed on ensuring Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, and on ramping up the pressure on Putin to force him to engage in meaningful talks that result in a just and lasting peace. We are united with partners that the fighting should stop immediately, that the current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations, and that international borders must not be changed by force.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has taken steps to help support residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands in their response to Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 4 November on the UK's response to Hurricane Melissa.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what volume of UK aid has been successfully delivered to Gaza in the last six months.

All allocations of our Humanitarian Programme are available publicly on Development Tracker. We have published further information on Core Relief Items through the programmes annual review with the next to be published by November 2025. Quantifying how much UK aid has entered into Gaza is difficult, due to the complex operating environment and limited real-time data, as well as Israel's restrictions on humanitarian workers and monitors. But despite Israel's restrictions on access we know UK Aid is having an impact - our funding has enabled UK-Med to complete nearly 750,000 patient consultations in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of state actors in Pakistan targeting UK residents with (a) political intimidation and (b) interference on those residents.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March 2025 to Question 36232.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made a recent estimate of the value of Russian owned assets held in the Overseas Territories.

The Overseas Territories (OTs) stand with the UK in condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine. The OTs have committed to implement UK sanctions in full. The Governments of the Territories take seriously their responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of sanctions within their jurisdictions. The Territories have frozen assets worth approximately US $9 billion. OT Governments have informed us that the vast majority of these assets belong to persons designated under the Russia sanctions regime.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps she has taken with humanitarian organisations to prevent sexual violence in conflict-affected areas in Ethiopia.

Combatting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) within Ethiopia continues to be a key focus for the UK and we work with UN partners as well as NGOs and the Red Cross in order to support those affected by these particular human rights violations. Civilians across various regions have been severely impacted over many years of conflict and the number of people affected continues to rise.The UK has prioritised healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, as well as policy efforts to increase accountability. In the last financial year, we allocated £4.6 million to deliver Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection services in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Between June 2023 and January 2025, GBV and child protection services reached over 50,000 women and girls, across 19 health facilities in affected regions. The UK remains committed to preventing CRSV and funding for GBV prevention and response has increased this financial year. Funding for future years has not yet been allocated.Civilians in Amhara region have been severely impacted by over two years of conflict between government forces and 'Fano' militias. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian need and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses, including extra-judicial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks against civilians. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for full investigations into abductions and killings of civilians and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Humanitarian indicators are deteriorating with 68 per cent of children now acutely malnourished and diseases, including cholera, spreading. The UK has consistently called for civilians to be protected, human rights abuses to be independently investigated and for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Pakistan on levels of religious freedom in that country.

Promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. Ministers and senior officials have consistently raised this issue with Pakistani counterparts, including in August 2025 when I voiced concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister. Our High Commission in Islamabad also continues to engage regularly on the persecution of religions minorities, as well as wider issues of misuse of blasphemy laws, desecration of places of worship, and the need to uphold fundamental rights in line with international standards. The UK Government remains concerned by the FoRB situation in Pakistan and will continue to urge the Pakistani authorities to guarantee the rights and safety of all religious communities.