Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has reviewed the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council noting Morocco’s requirement that MINURSO use Moroccan vehicle number plates west of the berm.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office closely reviews the UN Secretary General's reports on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
Asked by: Brian Leishman (Labour - Alloa and Grangemouth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her Moroccan counterpart on access to Western Sahara for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara, as we regularly make clear to all relevant parties. Officials, including up to ambassador level, regularly engage on these issues with the Moroccan Government and authorities. At the most recent UK-Morocco Human Rights Dialogue in November 2025, officials discussed areas of mutual interest, including freedom of expression, rights of minorities, women's rights, media freedom, and judicial reforms.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the healthcare system in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to my statements in the Westminster Hall debate on the healthcare system in Gaza on 24 February.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 87235 on Yemen: Christianity, what (a) outcomes and (b) policy developments have resulted from the UK’s engagement with (i) the United Nations and (ii) international partners on the protection of Christian minority communities in Yemen, including in areas under Houthi control.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains firmly committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief in Yemen, including for Christian minority communities. Through the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council, we continue to raise concerns about the treatment of minorities in Yemen and emphasise the need for an inclusive peace process, to ensure that all communities, including religious minorities, are protected. These challenges are complex and long‑standing, but we will continue to press for progress alongside our international partners.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 90911 on India: Christianity, what assessment she made of the potential impact of her Department's discussions with civil society organisations, faith leaders and the Government of India on the protection of Christian minority communities in Andhra Pradesh; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to support those communities.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to track these issues closely and engage wherever possible to promote religious freedom and tolerance. Our High Commission in New Delhi, along with our network of Deputy High Commissions, monitors the human rights situation closely. We also engage with civil society and faith leaders to support efforts to promote tolerance and respect between communities. We will continue in these efforts and keep the House updated as this work progresses.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to her Israeli counterparts on preventing further military attacks on Palestinian higher education institutions.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has been clear with the Government of Israel on the imperative, under international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including education institutions. We remain focussed on supporting the transition from an immediate ceasefire to a sustainable peace, in line with the 20-Point Plan.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will consider proscribing the IRGC.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Decisions on proscription are a matter for the Home Office.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will re-publish online the report entitled Value for Money: Investment in People-to-People Programming in Israel and Palestine, originally commissioned by the Department for International Development and published in 2021.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 9 January to Question 111418. Additionally, the document requested is currently available online.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in Bangladesh on elections in that country and international law.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We welcome the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh which took place on 12 February 2026. The peaceful and credible election process represents an important step forward in Bangladesh's ambitions and the aspirations of its people.
When I met Prime Minister Rahman on 17 February, I looked forward to working with Bangladesh on advancing democratic, economic and social reforms.
The UK is providing £27 million in support through the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme to protect civic and political space and address the underlying tensions that can lead to violence.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which Taiwan fulfils the four requirements for statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States: permanent population; defined territory; an effective government; and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan, as set out in the 1972 UK-China Communique, has not changed and remains the position of this Government.