Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to ensure that there is security, protection and support for women human rights defenders in Afghanistan.

The UK takes this issue very seriously. We are pleased that the UK will join the EU, other Member States, Norway and Switzerland in a joint strategy to support human rights defenders in Afghanistan, including women, developed in consultation with Afghan human rights defenders. We will work with our partners to ensure that this strategy best meets the security and protection needs of all human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also providing funding to support Kabul Human Rights Week in December. This 4-day event will focus on human rights defenders, including capacity building and protection mechanisms – a key part of delivering our strategy.