Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The UK is committed to ensuring women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in any future peace process in Sudan, and the Foreign Secretary has consistently worked to elevate the voices of Sudanese women in international fora. The UK offers its full support to efforts to establish an inclusive, civilian-led political dialogue and transition process for Sudan, including through the work of the Quintet, and we will continue to demand that women are at the centre of that process.

The Government's position on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Iran, and the persecution of the Baha'i community, remains as set out in the answer of 19 May to Question 611, and it continues to be unacceptable for the Iranian authorities to target religious minority groups because of their faith.

The Government's position on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Iran, and the persecution of the Baha'i community, remains as set out in the answer of 19 May to Question 611, and it continues to be unacceptable for the Iranian authorities to target religious minority groups because of their faith.

Reports of further raids on churches in China are deeply concerning, and the environment for freedom of religion or belief across China remains restrictive. The Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad. We work to uphold these rights through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement. The Prime Minister raised human rights when he met President Xi Jinping in January.

Decisions on access to documents held by the United States are a matter for the relevant authorities in that country. The Metropolitan Police operates independently of Government and any engagement between UK law enforcement and international counterparts would take place through the appropriate law enforcement channels.

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (121712 and 8533), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 26 March and 16 June respectively.

There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (121712 and 8533), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 26 March and 16 June respectively.

The UK Government aims to increase economic opportunity and boost resilience in underserved and underdeveloped regions. This includes supporting companies operating in secondary cities, rural supply chains, connective market infrastructure and trade opportunities to create jobs, boost incomes and mitigate economic displacement. We are supporting the transition to climate-resilient communities, economies and ecosystems, promoting climate‑resilient agricultural practices and healthy food systems whilst safeguarding and sustaining nature, including forests, oceans and coastal, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is also supporting the World Bank and other multilateral development banks to improve sustainable access to safe water supplies at scale. The World Bank alone aims to reach 250 million people with improved water supply and sanitation services by 2030.

Overall, as set out in our International Climate Finance Strategy 2026, we will deploy around £6 billion of Official Development Assistance alongside £6.7 billion of wider public finance to mobilise private capital at scale and drive systemic transformation across energy, resilience and nature outcomes. More information can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a3964dc0bea238415c9a417/ICF4-strategy-2026.pdf.

The UK Government aims to increase economic opportunity and boost resilience in underserved and underdeveloped regions. This includes supporting companies operating in secondary cities, rural supply chains, connective market infrastructure and trade opportunities to create jobs, boost incomes and mitigate economic displacement. We are supporting the transition to climate-resilient communities, economies and ecosystems, promoting climate‑resilient agricultural practices and healthy food systems whilst safeguarding and sustaining nature, including forests, oceans and coastal, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is also supporting the World Bank and other multilateral development banks to improve sustainable access to safe water supplies at scale. The World Bank alone aims to reach 250 million people with improved water supply and sanitation services by 2030.

Overall, as set out in our International Climate Finance Strategy 2026, we will deploy around £6 billion of Official Development Assistance alongside £6.7 billion of wider public finance to mobilise private capital at scale and drive systemic transformation across energy, resilience and nature outcomes. More information can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a3964dc0bea238415c9a417/ICF4-strategy-2026.pdf.

The UK Government aims to increase economic opportunity and boost resilience in underserved and underdeveloped regions. This includes supporting companies operating in secondary cities, rural supply chains, connective market infrastructure and trade opportunities to create jobs, boost incomes and mitigate economic displacement. We are supporting the transition to climate-resilient communities, economies and ecosystems, promoting climate‑resilient agricultural practices and healthy food systems whilst safeguarding and sustaining nature, including forests, oceans and coastal, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is also supporting the World Bank and other multilateral development banks to improve sustainable access to safe water supplies at scale. The World Bank alone aims to reach 250 million people with improved water supply and sanitation services by 2030.

Overall, as set out in our International Climate Finance Strategy 2026, we will deploy around £6 billion of Official Development Assistance alongside £6.7 billion of wider public finance to mobilise private capital at scale and drive systemic transformation across energy, resilience and nature outcomes. More information can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a3964dc0bea238415c9a417/ICF4-strategy-2026.pdf.

The UK is leading international efforts to tackle all forms of violence and abuse faced by women and girls, including sexual harassment, and to ensure all countries adopt best practice in terms of encouraging the reporting of these crimes, and supporting victims through the investigative and judicial processes. The Foreign Secretary recently launched the International Coalition to end Violence Against Women and Girls, alongside an initial seven partner countries, and the UK will host a global summit on these issues next year. The UK works with a range of international partners, including in justice systems, to ensure that survivors of violence can access support and receive justice. For example, through our What Works to Prevent Violence programme we are working with local women's rights organisations and the Malawian police force to improve their response to violence.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release referenced in his questions.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release referenced in his questions.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release referenced in his questions.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release referenced in his questions.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release referenced in his questions.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 21 May, and to the answer provided on 1 June in response to Question 2817.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 21 May, and to the answer provided on 1 June in response to Question 2817.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 21 May, and to the answer provided on 1 June in response to Question 2817.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in response to Question 66549 on 21 July 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 611 on 19 May, and I would add that we are aware of the reported cases referenced in her question and are monitoring the situation for Baha'is in Iran more widely.

Our High Commission in New Delhi, along with our network of Deputy High Commissions, monitors these matters closely, and engages with civil society on a regular basis to support efforts to uphold human rights.

The Foreign Secretary has most recently raised Mr Johal's case with her Indian counterparts on several occasions, most recently when visiting India in early June. We continue to make clear to the Government of India that faster progress is needed towards a full resolution of this case, and we will continue to raise it at every appropriate opportunity.

The UK's position remains as set out in the answer provided in the House of Commons on 4 March in response to Question HC114367, which for ease is reproduced below:

Along with several other countries, we have raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ministers have raised these concerns directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UK has asked that the comments of the Special Rapporteur be urgently investigated against the Code of Conduct for her post, and for action to be taken to restore the confidence of the international community in the independence and objectivity of this important role.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Deputy Prime Minister on 22 June, and his answers to the questions raised in response.

This Government welcomes the efforts of prosecutors in Italy and elsewhere to investigate these very serious allegations and ascertain the facts. The UK continues to support international and domestic mechanisms for prosecuting war crimes. We will, wherever needed, cooperate with the governments of Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and other relevant authorities to ensure justice is done. The UK remains in close contact with BiH authorities to address the legacies of past conflicts and prevent their recurrence. I met Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković on 1 June to reaffirm UK support and condemn divisive rhetoric by some BiH politicians. These allegations remind us of the enduring need to confront impunity, for the sake of lasting peace and reconciliation.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers I provided to her and other Members on this subject at departmental oral questions on 21 April.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105), where I addressed the security challenges facing Nigeria due to the activities of terrorist groups and criminal bandits, and set out how the UK is supporting the Nigerian authorities to respond. We continue to work closely with the Government of Nigeria to tackle insecurity, including through our ongoing Security and Defence Partnership.

Jonathan Powell was appointed as National Security Adviser subsequent to the period specified. While he was appointed BIOT Envoy in August, he did not visit China in relation to this role during the specified period.

As part of his role as the PM's Special Envoy on BIOT, Jonathan Powell had meetings with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials from the Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate on 2 August 2024, 30 August 2024 and 4 September 2024. These meetings were not minuted.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the speech made by the Minister for International Development and Africa at the Global Partnerships Conference in London on 19 May, a link to which is provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/baroness-chapmans-speech-at-the-global-partnerships-conference-19-may-2026

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the speech made by the Minister for International Development and Africa at the Global Partnerships Conference in London on 19 May, a link to which is provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/baroness-chapmans-speech-at-the-global-partnerships-conference-19-may-2026

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the speech made by the Minister for International Development and Africa at the Global Partnerships Conference in London on 19 May, a link to which is provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/baroness-chapmans-speech-at-the-global-partnerships-conference-19-may-2026

The Government's position on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Iran is unchanged, as set out in the answer of 6 August 2025 to Question 67802, and it remains completely unacceptable for the Iranian authorities to target religious minority groups because of their faith.

At the UN Human Rights Council on 16 March, UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, stated that - while ethnic and religious minorities had faced consistent and severe repression since the Islamic Republic's inception - they had been acutely vulnerable during the recent US-Israel-Iran conflict. She urged the Iranian authorities not to exploit the conflict - as had been seen in the past - to inflict further violence on its people.

While we cannot comment on specific law enforcement investigations, the Government treats all allegations of international corruption, money laundering and illicit gold trading with the utmost seriousness.

The National Crime Agency's International Corruption Unit, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, investigates international bribery, corruption and related money‑laundering offences, including where there is a nexus involving UK nationals or financial systems. The Illicit Finance Summit, to be hosted by the UK in December, will strengthen international, public-private cooperation to tackle illicit gold.

Officials at our High Commission in Colombo are monitoring this case, and the British High Commissioner raised it with the Sri Lankan authorities on 4 June.

The UK remains firmly committed to protecting human rights in Sri Lanka, including securing truth, justice and accountability for past abuses against the Tamil community and other minority groups. We also continue to press the Sri Lankan Government, bilaterally and at the UN Human Rights Council, for meaningful progress and urge them to uphold their commitments to international human rights standards.

In particular, we have consistently raised concerns about the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in Sri Lanka, and urged its repeal and replacement in line with international law and safeguards.

The UK strongly condemns reports of deliberate attacks on human rights defenders and journalists across Sudan. In October 2023, the UK led the charge to establish the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), which has been renewed for two consecutive years with UK support; The FFM is the only independent body investigating human rights abuses across Sudan and has a mandate to document, report and investigate violations of international law, including the detention of human rights defenders and journalists. The UK strongly condemns any unlawful detainment and our Special Representative continues to engage the warring parties, pressing them to comply with international humanitarian law.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers I provided to her and other Members on this subject at departmental oral questions on 21 April.