Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of concerns raised by Christian, Hindu and Muslim organisations in South Africa that proposals under the CRL Rights Commission’s Section 22 process could result in increased state regulation of religious communities; and whether he has discussed with his South African counterpart the importance of ensuring that any regulatory framework is consistent with freedom of religion or belief.

The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all. South Africa's Constitution provides protection for freedom of religion. The CRL Rights Commission's Section 22 process remains subject to domestic consultation. Officials at the British High Commission in Pretoria will continue to follow developments, including the concerns raised by faith organisations.