Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to maintain the level of funding that is given to the EU to support human rights defenders after the UK leaves the EU.

Supporting human rights defenders, especially where they face persecution and repression, is (and will remain) a key element in the Government's policy of promoting universal human rights. The Foreign Secretary issued revised guidance on this to British Embassies and High Commissions in December, 2017. How best to pursue this policy after Brexit and with which international partners will depend on future circumstances.