Every parliamentary written question tabled by Brendan O'Hara this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 96 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Six-Monthly Report on Hong Kong published on 26 March 2026, what diplomatic steps she is taking to secure the release of Jimmy Lai following reports that he will not appeal his conviction under Hong Kong’s national security legislation.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras, entitled "Our Determination Outweighs Our Fear": Agrarian conflict and the criminalisation of Indigenous and campesino communities, published in April 2026, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK companies with (a) investments, (b) direct operations and (c) supply chain links in Honduras are undertaking enhanced human rights and environmental due diligence, particularly in the agro-industrial and extractive sectors.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras published in April 2026, what representations her Department has made to the government of Honduras on the protection of Indigenous leaders, campesino communities and human rights defenders from violence, attacks and forced eviction.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support religious minorities displaced by conflict in Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims and Christian communities in Chin State.
Awaiting answer.
How the Government aligns its climate commitments with continued support for investor–state dispute settlement provisions in bilateral investment treaties where such provisions may affect fossil fuel transition policies in partner countries.
The UK draws on the full range of investment commitments and international best practice in our international investment agreements to promote growth, deliver our clean energy goals, and continue to uphold the UK’s right to regulate.Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. ISDS does not remove governments’ right to regulate in the public interest, including with respect to the environment.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of investor–state dispute settlement provisions in the Colombia–UK Bilateral Investment Treaty on Colombia’s ability to implement climate policies aimed at phasing-out fossil fuels.
The Government values the role played by the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in the investment relationship between our countries. Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. ISDS does not remove a government’s right to regulate in the public interest, nor its obligations to comply with other commitments, including with respect to the environment.
Whether the Government plans to support international efforts on addressing legal mechanisms that may hinder fossil fuel phase-out policies, in advance of the International Conference on a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels.
The UK is fully committed to the transition away from fossil fuels, both domestically and working with partners internationally. Recent events have underlined once more the risks of being exposed to volatile international fossil fuel markets. The UK delegation, led by the UK's Special Representative for Climate, will engage in discussions on a variety of barriers and solutions to the transition away from fossil fuels.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent Israeli legislation introducing the death penalty.
The UK opposes capital punishment in all circumstances, and we have raised our concerns directly with the Israeli Government about the recently-passed Death Penalty Bill.In a joint statement with Australia, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand on 29 March, we highlighted the discriminatory character of the bill, and urged the Government of Israel to abandon it.And on 30 March, the Foreign Secretary raised the bill in a call with Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and highlighted Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what outcomes resulted from engagement with Mir Hazem Tahsin Beg in July 2025 in relation to (a) support for Yazidi communities and (b) the location of disappeared persons.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 117286.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help ensure unrestricted humanitarian access in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to support unaccompanied and separated children in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the protection of civilians in Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to increase bilateral and multilateral humanitarian assistance to Lebanon.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Government of Zimbabwe on the attack on Professor Madhuku and other political activists; and whether she is taking steps to help support the protection of freedom of belief in Zimbabwe.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is aware of the assault on Professor Lovemore Madhuku and other National Constitutional Assembly activists. Freedom of expression is an essential quality of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe should be able to operate without harassment. Embassy officials remain in contact with the Government of Zimbabwe on these issues as part of our regular engagement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his contribution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Debate, Hansard entry 5th February 2026, Column 522, if he will publish the Government's criteria with for conducting its assessments of the risk of genocide occurring in Gaza.
The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his contribution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Debate, Hansard entry 5th February 2026, Column 522, if he will publish the assessment which he stated has been conducted by the UK Government with regards to the risk of genocide occurring in Gaza.
The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his contribution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Debate, Hansard entry 5th February 2026, Column 523, whether the Government will publish its assessment of the ICJ Provisional Measures of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024.
The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she had made representations to the Government of Malaysia on the detention and deportation of Rohingya refugees.
We regularly engage with the Government of Malaysia on a range of international matters, including human rights and humanitarian issues. We continue to encourage all countries to ensure that the rights and safety of vulnerable populations, including the Rohingya, are respected and protected. In July 2025, the previous Foreign Secretary raised Myanmar with the Malaysian Prime Minister.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Chinese counterpart on the arrest and charging of people affiliated with the Atajurt movement.
The UK remains concerned about human rights abuses in China, including in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities remain subject to arbitrary detention and persecution. We also condemn the use of transnational repression, including the intimidation or harassment by foreign governments of their critics overseas. We continue to raise our concerns with China at the highest levels, most recently in the Prime Minister's meeting with President Xi Jinping in January.