Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to work with LGBTI defenders at risk around the world; and if he will incorporate objectives on improving protection for LGBTI defenders into relevant Departmental plans.
The UK recognises that LGBTI civil society organisations(CSOs) and Human Rights Defenders play an essential role in promoting and protecting LGBTI human rights. Our overseas missions prioritise engagement with local human rights defenders and fund programme work through local CSOs, and these feature in their human rights strategies.. In 2020/21 the UK committed about £5.5 million to targeted international LGBT+ rights programmes. Providing funding for LGBTI rights programme work remains a UK government priority