Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 19 December (HL12164), what specific progress they have made in providing support through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative to strengthen the prevention, documentation, and investigation of sexual violence in detention settings in Israel; what concrete assistance they have offered or delivered; and what measurable outcomes have been achieved.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is deeply concerned by reports of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees by Israeli forces, including reports of sexual violence, and we have raised this issue with the Israeli government. The UK has been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that such allegations must be thoroughly investigated.

The UK supports the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the only organisation with the mandate, independence, and expertise to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees. Regular access to detainees is essential for the ICRC to fulfil its role, as enshrined in the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The UK continues to call on the Government of Israel to grant the ICRC immediate and unrestricted access to all detention facilities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 19 December 2025 (HL12164), what progress they have made in securing unfettered and regular access for the International Committee of the Red Cross to detention facilities; what steps they have taken to this end; and what response has been received from the government of Israel.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is deeply concerned by reports of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees by Israeli forces, including reports of sexual violence, and we have raised this issue with the Israeli government. The UK has been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that such allegations must be thoroughly investigated.

The UK supports the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the only organisation with the mandate, independence, and expertise to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees. Regular access to detainees is essential for the ICRC to fulfil its role, as enshrined in the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The UK continues to call on the Government of Israel to grant the ICRC immediate and unrestricted access to all detention facilities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 27 November 2025 (HL11898), when they expect to appoint the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict; what interim arrangements are in place pending that appointment; and how the functions of the role are currently being discharged.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answers provided on 27 November 2025 to Questions HL11898 and on 9 March to Questions HL14650 and HL14651. We will provide further updates in this area in the usual way in due course, reflecting the Foreign Secretary's decision to make the protection of women and girls one of the core priorities of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work over the coming years.

Found: 10.30 on Thursday, 21 May Present: Baroness Coussins (Chair) Baroness Curran Lord Farmer Baroness Helic

Found: 10.30am on Thursday 23 April Present: Baroness Coussins (Chair) Baroness Curran Lord Farmer Baroness Helic

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Coussins (The Chair); Baroness Curran; Lord Farmer; Baroness Helic

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Coussins (The Chair); Baroness Curran; Lord Farmer; Baroness Helic

Found: 1.00pm on Wednesday 22 April Present: Baroness Coussins (Chair) Baroness Curran Lord Farmer Baroness Helic

Found: 9.45am on Thursday 16 April Present: Baroness Coussins (Chair) Baroness Curran Lord Farmer Baroness Helic

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Baroness Coussins (The Chair); Baroness Curran; Lord Farmer; Baroness Helic