Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jim Shannon this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 184 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a senior official to lead UK engagement with the Government of Nigeria on freedom of religion or belief, including the protection of (a) Christian communities and (b) other groups affected by religion-based violence.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of reported increased restrictions on religious leaders in Nicaragua; and what steps her Department is taking to support and strengthen freedom of religion or belief and religious voices in the country.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 November 2025 to Question 85308. We share widespread international concern about the suppression of democratic, religious, and other fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of reports that four Christian settlements in Pakistan are facing unexplained evictions from their homes; and what representations she has made to the Government of Pakistan to protect Christians and other religious minorities in the country.
The UK engages with the Government of Pakistan on the rights of religious minorities, including the treatment of Christians, at Ministerial and official levels as appropriate. I raised the treatment of religious minorities directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in August 2025 and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry in March 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to monitor neglected global health threats.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works with the UK Health Security Agency, World Health Organization (WHO), and other international partners to monitor a broad range of global health threats through established international surveillance systems. We support global disease surveillance networks, early‑warning systems and programmes that strengthen countries' capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks, including through our multilateral investments to WHO, the Global Fund, Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the number of minority tradespeople that her Department has provided assistance to abroad in each year for which information is available.
No such assessment is readily available, but the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes regular updates of the work it has done to promote investment and growth in the UK and in partner countries around the world in the Department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support persecuted Christians abroad.
The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are all key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in a single answer. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help prevent international human rights abuses.
The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are all key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in a single answer. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help protect UK citizens travelling abroad.
The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are all key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in a single answer. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to engage with the Government of Iraq and regional authorities on the safe and voluntary return of displaced religious minorities, including Christians and Yazidis.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 117286.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Iranian counterpart on the protection of religious minorities during the ongoing conflict.
The Government's position on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Iran is unchanged, as set out in the answer of 6 August 2025 to Question 67802, and there remains no excuse for the Iranian authorities to target religious minority groups because of their faith, regardless of the current conflict. We continue to raise these issues alongside other human rights concerns.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Pakistani counterpart on reports of persecution and discrimination against the Christian community in that country; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department’s engagement with that country in protecting freedom of religion or belief and ensuring the safety of religious minorities.
The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan, including Christians. Over the past year, alongside our High Commission in Islamabad, I have raised the rights and safety of religious minorities with Pakistan's Human Rights and Interior Ministers and with the Deputy Prime Minister. We press for due process, accountability for violence, and stronger protections in law and practice. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to uphold its international obligations and to ensure the safety and dignity of all communities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that Baha’i women in Iran have been imprisoned on charges of promoting Baha’i beliefs; and whether she has made representations to her Iranian counterpart on their release.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss violence and persecution against Christian communities in Nigeria in the last 12 months with President Tinubu during his forthcoming State Visit.
The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair and credible Presidential election in 2027. The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy. On the issue of violence against Christian communities, I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to discuss preparations for free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2027 with President Tinubu during his forthcoming State Visit.
The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair and credible Presidential election in 2027. The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy. On the issue of violence against Christian communities, I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had made representations to the Government of China concerning attacks against the human rights defender Chen Yunfei; and whether she is taking steps to press for accountability for those responsible.
The UK Government is aware of reports concerning the recent assault of Chen Yunfei in China. We continue to follow developments closely and regularly raise human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. The UK remains committed to promoting human rights and the rule of law globally.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 83339 on China: Religious Freedom, what recent discussions she has had with her Chinese counterpart on the case of Pastor Ezra Jin.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 23 October 2025 to Question 83339.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has a strategy for monitoring (a) the protection of Iraqi religious minorities, (b) missing Yazidi women and children, (c) survivor recovery and (d) accountability for genocide-related crimes.
The UK is firmly committed to protecting ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, and promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Through our diplomatic presence, we regularly monitor and raise these issues with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, including the situation of missing Yazidi women and children, survivor recovery, and accountability for crimes committed by Daesh. FoRB-specific objectives are threaded throughout our programme work in Iraq, especially following Iraq's recognition as a UK FoRB priority country in October 2025. On Yazidi communities specifically, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to Question HL15070.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle humanitarian crises caused or exacerbated by climate change.
The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle global malnutrition.
The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the rights of women and girls.
The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.