Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the interim Syrian authorities on preventing human rights violations, protecting all Syrians, and immediately ending all forms of sectarian violence.

During the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Damascus he underlined the importance of an inclusive political transition and protecting the rights of all Syrians, and offered UK support in achieving this. Further to the outbreak of violence in southern Syria, he spoke to Syria's Foreign Minister, on 18 July, to express our concerns about the latest escalation and the need for a full investigation into these crimes. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the importance of improving their response to sectarian violence, protecting the rights of all Syrians, and holding all those responsible to account.