Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of religious freedom in Syria; and what steps the Government is taking to promote and protect the right of freedom of religion in that country.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has increased tensions between the different religious groups in Syria leading to less tolerance, particularly in Daesh controlled areas, and increased sectarian violence. We continue to support non-governmental efforts to promote dialogue between different ethnic and sectarian groups in Syria, as we seek further progress on a political settlement. We have been clear that any future political settlement must include protection for religious rights and freedoms, including for religious minorities.