Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq on protecting the rights and long-term presence of Christians and other religious minorities in the region.

We are aware of concerns regarding land disputes, displacement and demographic change affecting Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains. We continue to engage Iraqi authorities on the importance of protecting the rights of all communities in line with the Iraqi Constitution and international human rights obligations.

The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all and supports efforts to ensure that Christians and other religious minorities can continue to live safely and securely in their historic communities. Through our diplomatic engagement in Baghdad and Erbil, we have raised the importance of FoRB, including those of Christians, with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. We also meet with minority communities, visit their local areas, and support civil society organisations advocating for the rights of minority groups.