Oral Answers to Questions

David Drew Excerpts
Tuesday 26th June 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I can assure my hon. Friend that freedom of religion and belief is one of the topics we regularly raise at the highest level throughout our diplomatic network.

David Drew Portrait Dr David Drew (Stroud) (Lab/Co-op)
- Hansard - -

Will the Minister ensure that she talks, via the Foreign Secretary, to President Buhari of Nigeria? With the dreadful goings on in that country and the increasing pressure on the Christian community in the north, it is about time that the President stood up and did something to protect it.

Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Specifically on the situation in Nigeria, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we regularly raise these issues at the highest level with our friends in Nigeria. We are aware that these conflicts are often driven by conflict over land, grazing rights and water. They should not necessarily always be characterised by religious difference.