Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to the report by UN Women, The cost of war in Gaza on women and girls, published on 17 April, what steps they are taking to incorporate into their joint analysis of conflict and stability assessment (1) support for women and girls, and (2) the recommendations of that report.

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

We read the UN report with great concern. The finding that more than 38,000 women and girls have been killed in the conflict is both devastating and appalling. Through our humanitarian and early recovery programmes, we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls as a priority, for example by supporting trusted humanitarian partners to expand protection and gender-based violence response services. We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the report by UN Women, The cost of war in Gaza on women and girls, published on 17 April, what assessment they have made of (1) the findings of that report that women and girls represent more than half of fatalities in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025, and (2) how that figure compares with the proportion of deaths of women and girls in previous conflicts.

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

We read the UN report with great concern. The finding that more than 38,000 women and girls have been killed in the conflict is both devastating and appalling. Through our humanitarian and early recovery programmes, we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls as a priority, for example by supporting trusted humanitarian partners to expand protection and gender-based violence response services. We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to women and girls in Gaza, in light of the ongoing conflict.

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

We read the UN report with great concern. The finding that more than 38,000 women and girls have been killed in the conflict is both devastating and appalling. Through our humanitarian and early recovery programmes, we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls as a priority, for example by supporting trusted humanitarian partners to expand protection and gender-based violence response services. We are clear that the Government of Israel must fully abide by its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had regarding the nomination of the government of Iran to the United Nations Committee for Program and Coordination, and the government of China to the United Nations Committee on NGOs; and what assessment they have made of the implications of this for freedom of religion or belief internationally.

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

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the judgment in the Maira Shahbaz case with Pakistan’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

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

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief and the rights of women and girls in Pakistan. We regularly raise concerns about the protection of religious minorities, including forced marriage and conversion, with the Government of Pakistan at senior levels, and consistently encourage it to guarantee the rights of all people in line with its international human rights commitments. We also support efforts to address these issues through our development programming, including the Aawaz II programme, which works with communities to promote the rights of women and girls, support victims, and challenge harmful practices.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding the protection of girls from minority communities following the ruling in the Maira Shahbaz case in March 2026.

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

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief and the rights of women and girls in Pakistan. We regularly raise concerns about the protection of religious minorities, including forced marriage and conversion, with the Government of Pakistan at senior levels, and consistently encourage it to guarantee the rights of all people in line with its international human rights commitments. We also support efforts to address these issues through our development programming, including the Aawaz II programme, which works with communities to promote the rights of women and girls, support victims, and challenge harmful practices.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent convictions of Chung Biu Yuen and Chi Leung Wai, whether they will include the People's Republic of China in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

As set out in the National Security Act 2023, the Secretary of State may make a specification under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) where they consider it is reasonably necessary to do so to protect the safety or interests of the United Kingdom. As the Minister of State for Security set out in the House of Commons on 4 March 2026, FIRS is a relatively new tool, and this Government is seeking to ensure that we can derive the maximum operational capability from it.

We look very carefully at which countries should be on the enhanced tier of the scheme, factoring in a broad range of considerations. We have not made any final decisions as to whether we will place other countries on the enhanced tier, but we keep that under very close review. Any changes to the countries listed will be brought to Parliament in the usual way.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the conviction of Chi Leung Wai for misconduct in public office, what measures they will take to ensure the better protection of (1) sensitive data, and (2) individuals most likely to be at risk of transnational repression.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government does not comment on individual cases but takes any misuse of sensitive data extremely seriously. Robust safeguards are in place across Government and law enforcement to ensure that sensitive information is handled securely, with strict controls, oversight mechanisms, and proportionate action against misconduct.

More broadly, the Government continues to strengthen its response to transnational repression, including measures to better protect individuals at risk. The National Security Act 2023 provides a comprehensive framework to detect, deter and disrupt state‑directed threats, supported by enhanced training for police and improved systems to identify foreign interference.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights in its report Transnational repression in the UK, published on 30 July 2025.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government carefully considered the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ report on transnational repression (TNR) and responded formally on 30 October 2025.

We continue to engage with international partners, victims and civil society organisations to build a fuller picture of how transnational repression manifests in the UK and to ensure our response is grounded in lived experience and real-world threat patterns.

We recently updated GOV.UK guidance on TNR. Alongside this the National Security Protective Authority launched guidance on 8 May. These documents provide practical advice for individuals who believe they may be at risk of TNR, including steps to help keep them safe both physically and online.

The Government will continue to keep its approach under review to ensure it remains robust, proportionate and responsive to the evolving threat.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Human Rights Watch report, “Start with the Youngest Children” China’s Use of Preschools to “Integrate” Tibetans, published in May, on China’s suppression of the Tibetan Language in preschools and the imposition of Mandarin Chinese as the medium of instruction, as well as the requirement of all citizens to embrace Chinese national identity while excluding Tibetan Buddhist beliefs and cultural practices; and whether they will raise this report with the relevant United Nations agencies.

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

Reports of human rights violations in Tibet are deeply concerning. This Government stands firm on human rights, including against China's repression of the people of Tibet, and we continue to raise our concerns at the highest levels; the Prime Minister raised Tibet during his meeting with Xi Jinping in January.

We champion the right to freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, including Tibetan Buddhists, across a wide range of international fora; the UK's Human Rights Ambassador raised our concerns around restrictions in Tibet at the UN Human Rights Council on 16 March.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made at the United Nations Human Rights Council about renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, including in relation to violations of freedom of religion or belief.

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

The Government consistently raises human rights and freedom of religion or belief, both directly with the Eritrean Government, and in our statements at the UN Human Rights Council. We also call for all those unjustly incarcerated to be released.

The UK's Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea raised these issues during her most recent visit to Eritrea in December 2025, and the UK supports the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea, co-sponsoring the resolution that renewed his mandate in July 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Chinese ambassador following the convictions of Chi Leung Wai and Chung Biu Yuen.

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

On instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chinese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 8 May. It was made clear that the UK will not tolerate any attempts by foreign states to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK, and that such activity constitutes a serious breach of the UK's sovereignty. We will continue to use the full range of tools available to protect our security and hold China to account for actions which undermine our safety and democratic values.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether United Solar Polysilicon has supplied solar energy or other energy-related projects into the UK market; and how they are ensuring compliance with the prohibition on the purchase of goods made by slave labour.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government's longstanding position is that no UK businesses should be complicit in forced labour and human rights violations. The UK's current legislation under Section 54 of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act drives industry action to use due diligence and transparency as the means of tackling forced labour in global supply chains.

Although Government itself does not hold information on specific operators, Government is clear that all UK businesses should respect human rights throughout their operations and supply chain relationships with overseas suppliers in line with the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Government continues to tackle forced labour violations head on and launched the Responsible Business Conduct Review in last year's Trade Strategy. The appraisal is ongoing and will provide an actor agnostic and neutral appraisal of the UK’s current policy. It will consider alternative options for enhancing UK’s role in reducing forced labour in global supply chains.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights report Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains, published on 24 July 2025, in particular its recommendation that Great British Energy and other public buyers "must ensure that solar procurement decisions are made on the basis of independent assessments and not rely solely on the Solar Stewardship Initiative to provide assurance of supply chains”.

Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)

The Government welcomes the recommendations made in the report, Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains. We are taking these into account as we progress the Responsible Business Conduct Review.

We have already taken action in the new Procurement Act to strengthen rules around excluding suppliers linked to modern slavery. Great British Energy (GBE) is establishing its own requirements of partners and will set out further detail over the coming months. While GBE considers the Solar Stewardship Initiative a valuable tool and partner, it is not currently a member.

Found: Migration & Citizenship 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: www.parliament.uk From the Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Current members Attendance Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench, Life peer) (Chair) (added 5 Sep 2024

Found: SUPPLEMENTARY WRITTEN EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (RAI0089) Lord Alton of Liverpool