Written questions by O'Hara.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Chinese counterpart on (a) Christian churches in that country and (b) the arrest of (i) priests and (ii) laypersons from that community; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure the promotion of religious freedom in that country.

The Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and we continue to engage with Chinese counterparts on the restriction of those freedoms, including the arbitrary arrest of Christians for practicing their faith.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has granted a Special Mission Immunity certificate to President Isaac Herzog of Israel in advance of his official visit in September 2025; and whether additional assurances of immunity have been provided beyond Head of State Immunity.

The UK Government can confirm that President Isaac Herzog's visit to the UK was conducted under the protections afforded to Heads of State under international law. Special Mission Status was not requested for this visit.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Egyptian authorities on reports of discrimination against the Baha’i community; and what steps she is taking to help (a) ensure the protection of the Baha’i population and (b) promote religious freedom in the country.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), for all. The Egyptian Government has stated its commitment to protecting the rights and freedom of worship as well as the protections enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. We continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Honduran counterpart on the killing of Juan López.

The UK condemns the killing of Juan Lopez in September 2024. Human rights defenders working on environmental issues should be able to work without fear of reprisal, wherever they are. Our Embassy in Guatemala City, which maintains our relations with Honduras, issued a statement following Mr Lopez's death urging the authorities in Honduras to urgently investigate this case. Officials at our Embassy in Guatemala City and in the UK are in regular contact with civil society organisations regarding human rights in Honduras.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department is reducing programme funding to the Education, Gender and Equality Directorate by; and what assessment his Department has made of the impact of that reduction on women and girls in the Global South.

Our 2025/26 Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations reflect the first step as we begin to pivot to a lower ODA budget, the ministerial line-by-line strategic review of our ODA programming, and our commitment to protect planned humanitarian spend and live contract agreements. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) - which considers impacts on women and girls - was an essential part of how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) made these decisions. The EIA also tracks spend in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations were published in the Annual Report & Accounts on 22 July alongside the EIA. As confirmed by the EIA, the allocations process for 2025/26 has protected against disproportionate impacts on equalities.The FCDO is committed to empowering women and girls globally and remaining a world leader on championing safe, inclusive education, including in the Global South.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the reported comments of the OHCHR spokesperson on 11 July 2025, if he will have discussions with his (a) UN, (b) United States and (c) Israeli counterparts on the causes of deaths at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution centres.

The UK has been clear that Israel's approach to aid delivery in Gaza is inhumane, fosters desperation and endangers civilians. We are appalled at repeated mass casualty incidents in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites. Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families. We co-called a United Nations Security Council meeting on 16 July where we reiterated that Israel must lift restrictions on aid entering Gaza. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 21 July to raise these issues, press Israel to restore humanitarian access and agree to a ceasefire. We continue to work with partners, including the United Nations and United States, to push for improved humanitarian access, a ceasefire and a lasting peace in the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterparts in (a) Israel and (b) the United States on the effectiveness of the functionality of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution centres.

The UK stands firmly against Israel's inhumane approach to aid delivery in Gaza. We are appalled at repeated mass casualty incidents in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites, with hundreds of desperate civilians killed whilst trying to get food for their families. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 21 July to raise these issues, press Israel to restore humanitarian access and agree to a ceasefire. We continue to work with partners, including the United States, to push for improved humanitarian access, a ceasefire and a lasting peace in the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many evacuation flights have been arranged for UK nationals from (a) Israel, and (b) the West Bank since 13 June 2025.

The UK Government have arranged six flights from Israel since 24 June. At this time, no further flights are planned. Commercial flights are now available. This remains a fast-moving and fragile situation, and plans will be kept under constant review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department's International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process last made an assessment of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has carried out regular International Humanitarian Law assessments since the beginning of the conflict on 7 October 2023. Our assessments are continuous and the latest is due to be finalised before the end of the month.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral answer by the Minister for the Middle East to the hon. Member to Islington North of 14 May 2025, Official Report, column 354, which international obligations he was referring to in his answer.

Criterion 1 of the UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria requires respect for the UK's international obligations and commitments. We have carefully collated, reviewed and assessed relevant evidence concerning the Gaza conflict. The action we have taken, as announced to Parliament, is consistent with all our legal obligations, including those under the Arms Trade Treaty and Genocide Convention, and we remain wholly committed to international law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) in response to the question from the hon. Member for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, during the Urgent Question on Gaza: UK Assessment of 14 May 2025, Official Report, column 353, if he will specify (a) which responsibilities under international law and (b) what type of assessments he was referring to; and on what date did his Department last conduct one of these assessments.

The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It is the Government's long-standing position that any determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. This case is ongoing, and we await their decision.As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he ordered a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), to meet the statutory obligation, set out under the UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. This assessment found that there were possible breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the areas of treatment of detainees and humanitarian access and relief and that there was a clear risk that UK export items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Government therefore suspended all relevant licences for export to Israel on 2 September 2024, except for exports to the global F-35 programme. Our IHL assessments continue regularly, and recent assessments have maintained this position. Ultimately it is for a court to decide if a breach has occurred.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Iraqi counterpart on the (a) return and (b) long-term settlement of Yazidi communities displaced by ISIS; and what steps he is taking to support justice mechanisms for survivors of religious persecution.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Ministers have not discussed these issues with the Iraqi government recently, but our Embassy in Baghdad has regular contact with Iraqi ministers and officials on this topic. Most recently, the deputy head of mission met the Iraqi Prime Minister's adviser on Yazidi affairs on 24 April and spoke about implementation of the Sinjar agreement and progress in the areas reconstruction - both vital for the safe return of Yazidis to the Sinjar province.Regarding justice mechanisms, the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (UNITAD) was a key pillar of the international community's commitment to hold Daesh accountable for international crimes over seven years. It made significant contributions to addressing the legacy of Daesh in Iraq, including the generation of high-quality evidence which has supported trials in third countries, and its capacity-building of Iraq's judicial system. We considered several proposals of how best to take this issue forward after UNITAD's closure in September 2024 and did push for a resolution in the council, but this did not reach required level of support in the United Nations Security Council.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much direct bilateral financial aid to Rwanda has been paused; and whether this funding will be reallocated for urgent humanitarian assistance in Eastern DRC.

The UK has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful engagement with African-led peace processes, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory.Until significant progress is made towards this, we have made the decision to pause direct bilateral financial aid to the Government of Rwanda, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable. In this financial year (2024/25), we have paused £3 million in direct bilateral financial aid. Future financial years' budgets are yet to be confirmed and subject to the outcome of the current Spending Review.The humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is critical. We remain committed to supporting those most in need and are providing over £80 million in lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the DRC this year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Bangladeshi counterpart on the attack on the 98th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Panchagarh district.

The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Our support in Bangladesh aims to ensure that the rights of religious minorities, including the Ahmadiyya community, are respected, and that these communities are protected from discrimination. At the time of the attack, the previous UK Government raised the importance of FoRB with the former Bangladesh Government. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus. The UK will continue to support FoRB through regular dialogue with the Interim Government of Bangladesh and through our development programme funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan last visited the Middle East.

I have conducted several visits to the region since my appointment in July 2024, most recently a visit to Ankara on 2-4 March for a UK-Turkey ministerial dialogue focused on the current situation in Syria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to support (a) individuals and (b) communities facing religious persecution in China.

The environment for freedom of religion or belief in China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and Christians. This Government stands firm on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor have all raised human rights recently with their counterparts.More broadly, this Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad. We work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether UK surveillance drones have been flown from Jordan over (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank in Occupied Palestine.

We are unable to comment on the detail of intelligence matters, for operational security reasons.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Prime Minister has had with his Israeli counterpart on adhering to international law in the Occupied West Bank.

This Government is clear that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected, and the Government continues to press Israeli counterparts on issues of international law compliance. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on the right to return by Palestinians who have left Gaza since 7 October 2023.

There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza strip. Palestinian civilians, including those evacuated from northern Gaza, must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild. Our position is clear - we want to see a negotiated two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people, with a sovereign Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the UK joining the Hague Group.

The UK has no current plans to join the Hague Group. The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.