Written questions by O'Hara.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the legal case in Argentina implicating former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez for human rights violations; and whether he plans to make representations to his Argentinian counterpart on the (a) protection of (i) lawyers and (ii) victims involved in and (b) eventual outcome of the case.

It is not appropriate to comment on an ongoing legal case. The UK remains committed to upholding human rights and international law, including through its international engagement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to consult survivors of human rights violations on his Department's human rights strategy.

On 10 December 2024, the Foreign Secretary and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Collins, set out their five priorities for promoting and protecting human rights, rule of law and democratic governance. The UK recognises that meaningful engagement with survivors of human rights violations improves the effectiveness of our policies and programmes. We are committed to empowering and engaging survivors, including people with lived experience of modern slavery and business-related human rights abuses for the National Baseline Assessment on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We also engage survivors of conflict-related sexual violence through the Survivor Advisory Group for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to incorporate the UK’s obligation to prevent and prohibit torture into the Government’s human rights strategy.

Upholding the rule of law is central to the strategic approach to human rights and democratic governance, set out by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa on 10 December 2024. We unreservedly condemn the use of torture for any purpose and regularly call on States to ensure that those in detention are treated in line with international human rights law. The UK is a state party to the UN Convention against Torture. The FCDO is proud to work with the Association for the Prevention of Torture and Advocates for International Development to deliver training and advocacy work, globally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Thai counterpart on reported plans to deport 43 Uyghur men to China.

The UK government is seriously concerned about reports that detained Uyghurs in Thailand are at risk of imminent refoulment.We have raised the issue directly with the Thai Government and continue to work closely with likeminded partners. We continue to urge Thailand, as a State Party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and at a minimum in accordance with refugee law obligations under customary international law not to undertake the refoulment of these individuals to China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) humanitarian and (b) security situation for (i) Orthodox Christians and (ii) other minority communities in Gaza.

The UK has always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. We remain focused on pushing for an end to the devastating violence in Gaza, protecting civilians, ensuring the release of all hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid into Gaza. Officials from the British Consulate General in Jerusalem have regular engagements with the Christian community in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, to understand the impact of the conflict and Israeli occupation on Christian Palestinians. The UK champions, and remains strongly committed to, Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work and our programme funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on how many occasions a representative of the Government has raised the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah with the Egyptian government since December 2021.

The UK remains committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly raised Mr El-Fattah's case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, most recently during his visit to Egypt on 23 January. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 8 January. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, raised with the Foreign Minister on 2 January on a visit to Cairo. The UK will use the upcoming Universal Periodic Review on Egypt in January to raise issues relating to human rights. Officials and the Ambassador raise this continually with Egyptian counterparts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the (a) national unity government and (b) ethnic revolutionary organisations from Myanmar.

We continue to meet regularly with a range of pro-democracy actors from Myanmar, including senior representatives from the National Unity Government (NUG) and from a number of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs). The UK stands in solidarity with those calling for a return to democracy in Myanmar and we are committed to supporting a plurality of voices. The UK is clear that any future settlement for Myanmar, must be inclusive, and involve a wide range of opposition actors, including the NUG and EROs. The Myanmar military regime must engage with them and all other opposition groups.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Department leads on the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

Policy on the International Criminal Court (ICC), including the ICC Act (2001), is owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he (a) has made an assessment and (b) plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of imposing sanctions on individual members of the Israeli cabinet.

The UK government condemns the unacceptable language that has been used by Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. Israel should condemn this language and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK government does not speculate about possible future sanctions designations, as to do so could reduce their impact.