Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the open doors world watch list 2026 which ranks Somalia as the second most dangerous country in the world for Christians; what discussions they have had with the government of Somalia about the protection of Christians, including converts from Islam, and about restrictions on the propagation of religions other than Islam; and what steps they are taking to promote freedom of religion or belief in Somalia.

The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Christians and other religious minorities in Somalia, where persecution is severe and often exacerbated by insecurity and extremist violence. The UK regularly raises human rights challenges in Somalia with the Federal Government of Somalia and in international fora, most recently in the UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Somalia at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva on 2 October. The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief globally and will continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals in Somalia to practise their religion or belief freely and without fear.