Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, Sudan: Hallmarks of Genocide in El-Fasher, published 19 February; and what steps they are taking to bring those responsible for the atrocities in the report to justice.

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

In her speech and accompanying statement to the UN Security Council on 19 February, the Foreign Secretary set out the UK's response to the UN report on El-Fasher, other evidence of atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan, and how the UK is protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding the perpetrators and profiteers of the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan to account. I will place a copy of her speech and statement in the House of Lords library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that two thirds of communities surveyed by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab around Darfur’s El Fasher were found to have “no visible pattern of life”.

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

In her speech and accompanying statement to the UN Security Council on 19 February, the Foreign Secretary set out the UK's response to the UN report on El-Fasher, other evidence of atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan, and how the UK is protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding the perpetrators and profiteers of the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan to account. I will place a copy of her speech and statement in the House of Lords library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking following reports of attacks by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces on farming villages and crop production around El Fasher in the first days of the siege on the city.

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

In her speech and accompanying statement to the UN Security Council on 19 February, the Foreign Secretary set out the UK's response to the UN report on El-Fasher, other evidence of atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan, and how the UK is protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding the perpetrators and profiteers of the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan to account. I will place a copy of her speech and statement in the House of Lords library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces targeted and killed people with disabilities in El Fasher; and what steps they are taking with international partners to bring those responsible to justice.

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

In her speech and accompanying statement to the UN Security Council on 19 February, the Foreign Secretary set out the UK's response to the UN report on El-Fasher, other evidence of atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan, and how the UK is protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding the perpetrators and profiteers of the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan to account. I will place a copy of her speech and statement in the House of Lords library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UN report finding possible genocide in El Fasher in Sudan; and how they are implementing the recommendations of the Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes from 16 December 2025.

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

In her speech and accompanying statement to the UN Security Council on 19 February, the Foreign Secretary set out the UK's response to the UN report on El-Fasher, other evidence of atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan, and how the UK is protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding the perpetrators and profiteers of the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan to account. I will place a copy of her speech and statement in the House of Lords library.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether and when they have raised (1) potential breaches of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief, and (2) the detention of Pastor Ezra Jin and seventeen other pastors of Zion Church, directly with the government of China or through the United Nations Human Rights Council; and what response they received.

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

The UK continues to stand firm on human rights in China. We continue to follow developments closely in relation to the detention of Zion Church members, and we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. The UK remains committed to promoting human rights and the rule of law globally. To support our wider efforts, David Smith MP was appointed Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief in December 2024, and the UK hosted a Geneva event in July 2025 reaffirming the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the RISK Management Initiative on International Undersea Cables proposed by Taiwan in October 2025, what plans they have to enhance work with international partners such as Taiwan on undersea cable resilience.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government recognises the critical role of subsea telecoms cables for international connectivity.

The Government works closely with international partners, including Taiwan, to ensure the security and resilience of subsea telecoms cables. This includes engaging bilaterally with priority partners and multilaterally through NATO, the EU and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

This engagement focuses on preventing damage to cables, incident preparedness and response and ensuring cables are laid in the right places to serve UK interests.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister expressed support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait during his visit to China in January and, if so, what response he received.

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

As he said in his statement to the House of Commons on 2 February, the Prime Minister discussed the issue of Taiwan during his meetings with President Xi, Premier Li and other senior leaders. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and our position on Taiwan has not changed.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to facilitate Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to strengthen supply chain resilience.

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

All CPTPP accession applications remain under consideration by CPTPP members, and any decision to progress applications must be agreed by consensus.

The UK Government does not provide an ongoing commentary on applications to protect the confidentiality of CPTPP discussions and to observe the collective principles of the group. The UK Government has met with Taiwan, and other applicants, to discuss the UK's own experience of the accession process.

The UK has a strong trading relationship with Taiwan and engages on trade policy priorities with Taiwan through annual Trade Talks and the delivery of the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what urgent measures they are taking to protect the families of British National (Overseas) status holders from judicial harassment in Hong Kong; and what specific guarantees of safety they provide to activists in the UK whose families are being targeted as political hostages

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 10 March to an identical set of questions (118342-44) from the Hon Member for Milton Keynes Central. For ease of reference, that answer is reproduced below:

The National Security Law has stifled opposition and criminalised dissent in Hong Kong. We have called for it to be repealed, and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.

We will not tolerate attempts by foreign governments to intimidate or harm individuals in the UK, and we are committed to protecting the safety of the Hong Kong community who have made their home here. We continue to raise these concerns directly with the Chinese authorities, and the Government has strengthened the legal and operational tools needed to deter, detect and disrupt modern state threats.

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so would risk undermining their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will summon the Chinese Ambassador to issue a formal condemnation of the prison sentence handed to Kwok Yin-sang; and what plans they have to coordinate a joint demarche with the German and US governments to demand his immediate release.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 10 March to an identical set of questions (118342-44) from the Hon Member for Milton Keynes Central. For ease of reference, that answer is reproduced below:

The National Security Law has stifled opposition and criminalised dissent in Hong Kong. We have called for it to be repealed, and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.

We will not tolerate attempts by foreign governments to intimidate or harm individuals in the UK, and we are committed to protecting the safety of the Hong Kong community who have made their home here. We continue to raise these concerns directly with the Chinese authorities, and the Government has strengthened the legal and operational tools needed to deter, detect and disrupt modern state threats.

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so would risk undermining their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to implement Magnitsky-style sanctions against the Hong Kong officials responsible for sentencing Kwok Yin-sang, the father of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok, on 11 February; and what diplomatic steps they are taking as a result of that sentencing.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 10 March to an identical set of questions (118342-44) from the Hon Member for Milton Keynes Central. For ease of reference, that answer is reproduced below:

The National Security Law has stifled opposition and criminalised dissent in Hong Kong. We have called for it to be repealed, and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.

We will not tolerate attempts by foreign governments to intimidate or harm individuals in the UK, and we are committed to protecting the safety of the Hong Kong community who have made their home here. We continue to raise these concerns directly with the Chinese authorities, and the Government has strengthened the legal and operational tools needed to deter, detect and disrupt modern state threats.

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so would risk undermining their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in response to proposals by the government of Iraq to disarm Yazidi communities in Sinjar; and what assessment they have made of the risk that those proposals will leave the Yazidi population vulnerable to the continuation of mass atrocities.

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

The UK is firmly committed to the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, and the safety and security of the Yazidi community, including those who were displaced by the Daesh insurgency. We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as representatives from the Yazidi civil society and community, on the need for stability, security and long-term reconstruction in Sinjar. The UK is clear that any security arrangements in the area must protect civilians and support conditions for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of displaced Yazidis.

We continue to advocate for full implementation of the Sinjar Agreement including the recruitment and training of local security forces, which remains essential for stability in the district. The UK highlights the importance of including Yazidi representation in negotiations and plans for implementation of the Sinjar Agreement or any other mechanism, to enhance the agency and the safety of the Yazidi community.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new 'Patriotic Education Law' in China on freedom of religion or belief, particularly for teachers in religious institutions.

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

The environment for freedom of religion or belief in China is restrictive, including in relation to religious teaching. This Government stands firm on human rights, and we raise our concerns at the highest levels. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary have all raised human rights in recent months with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively).

This Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all around the world. We work to uphold those rights through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora. We continue to monitor the situation for religious teaching in China, and maintain a dialogue with NGOs and international partners on the issue.

Found: Yours sincerely Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

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