Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have developed a country specific plan designed to enhance the support and protection of human rights defenders in Afghanistan, as has been recommended in the European Union Guidelines.

The UK is committed to implementing the EU Guidelines in order to ensure human rights defenders are protected around the world. 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. The strategy is due to be published in early December and we will work with our partners to ensure its effective implementation.

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.