Every parliamentary written question tabled by Helen Maguire this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 66 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ordinance XX on the religious freedom of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan; and if she will make representations to her Pakistani counterpart on the repeal of Sections 298-B and 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 29 October 2025 to Question 83844.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran.
The UK strongly condemns the repression of religious minorities in Iran, including members of the Baha'i faith.We were integral to the UN Human Rights Council adopting a resolution on 23 January renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Fact-Finding Mission to monitor the situation of human rights in the country and investigate violations. This mission will also establish the facts, circumstances and structural causes of such violations, including discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.On 28 April, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, made clear that the UK will continue to monitor and pursue accountability for the dire situation for religious minorities in Iran and highlighted the abhorrent reports that Baha'is have been subject to torture and mock execution. Last July, he also delivered a speech highlighting the acute vulnerability of Baha'is to scapegoating, incitement, and threats of violence from authorities, and met Baha'i International Community UN Representative, Simin Fahandej, to discuss the current and historic situation of Baha'is in Iran.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of attacks on female Christian converts in Central Asia.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking diplomatic or humanitarian steps support female Christian converts globally.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussion she has had with her Afghan counterparts regarding the displacement of Afghan Christian women.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Hong Kong National Security Law on the safety and legal rights of UK nationals (a) visiting and (b) residing in Hong Kong.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 127028.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to monitor developments in the implementation of Hong Kong’s National Security Law; and whether she plans to issue revised guidance to UK nationals on compliance with local authorities’ requests for access to personal data and electronic communications.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 127028.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with international partners on coordinating updated travel guidance on the Hong Kong National Security Law.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 127028.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the freedom of worship for Palestinian Christians.
The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world including in Palestine. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. The UK is concerned about recent restrictions on access to holy sites in Jerusalem. We have called on Israel to work with religious communities to facilitate access in line with the Status Quo, and ensure the right to worship is protected.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will raise the situation of Palestinian Christians with her Israeli counterparts.
The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world including in Palestine. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. The UK is concerned about recent restrictions on access to holy sites in Jerusalem. We have called on Israel to work with religious communities to facilitate access in line with the Status Quo, and ensure the right to worship is protected.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with global counterparts on alleged human rights abuses in Uganda.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 February in response to Question 111609.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she and Cabinet colleagues have had with their Chinese counterpart on the expansion of China's nuclear weapons.
We engage in regular dialogue with China on security matters at both official and ministerial levels. These exchanges include discussions on nuclear weapons, conducted bilaterally as well as through the P5 process, which brings together the five nuclear weapon states recognised by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to discuss their obligations under it. We also hold an annual Counter‑Proliferation and Arms Control Dialogue with China, which covers nuclear issues. During his recent visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister raised broader issues of global stability with President Xi.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered compensating victims from the taxes collected from Libya’s frozen assets.
In recent months, ministers have met on multiple occasions with UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored Irish Republican Army (IRA) terrorism and all victims of the Troubles, and those conversations continue to shape our approach. The responsibility for providing compensation specifically for the actions of the Qadhafi regime is the responsibility of the Libyan State. It is not therefore for the UK Government to divert UK public funds for this particular purpose.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if her Department will undertake a review of its explosive ordinance policies.
The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what conversations she has had with her international counterparts on (a) the impact of global aid cuts to humanitarian aid and (b) the impact those cuts will have on landmine disposal.
The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing a global programme supporting civilian victims of landmines.
The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of reducing humanitarian aid funding in Africa on landmine disposal.
The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to end female genital mutilation.
The UK is committed to championing the rights of women and girls worldwide, including working with local partners to tackle the scourge of female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and other coercive practices. As well as investing up to £35.5 million in the Africa-Led Movement to End FGM programme, which operates in Kenya, Senegal, Somalia and Ethiopia, we also contribute towards the UNICEF/UN Population Fund Joint Programme for the Elimination of FGM, which operates in eighteen countries. Allocations of Official Development Assistance funding for future years will be set out in the coming months, including our programmes to protect the rights of women and girls.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to help support women and girls affected by female genital mutilation after the conclusion of The Girl Generation-Africa-Led Movement to End FGM initiative in October 2026.
The UK is committed to championing the rights of women and girls worldwide, including working with local partners to tackle the scourge of female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and other coercive practices. As well as investing up to £35.5 million in the Africa-Led Movement to End FGM programme, which operates in Kenya, Senegal, Somalia and Ethiopia, we also contribute towards the UNICEF/UN Population Fund Joint Programme for the Elimination of FGM, which operates in eighteen countries. Allocations of Official Development Assistance funding for future years will be set out in the coming months, including our programmes to protect the rights of women and girls.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of countries withdrawing from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction on the integrity of the Convention.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer she was provided on 5 November in response to Question 85644.