Written questions by Shannon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of aid sent to Ukraine to help track down Russian war criminals.

The UK has provided £10.7 million in aid supporting Ukraine's domestic work to document, investigate, and prosecute war crimes. This includes launching the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group in May 2022 in partnership with the EU and US, to ensure our donor support to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine is coordinated and targeted at areas where Ukraine most needs to develop its accountability efforts. Support from the UK has equipped Ukrainian prosecutors and law enforcement officials with vital open-source information gathering skills, allowing them to effectively collect evidence and build comprehensive legal cases against alleged war criminals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK aid to Pakistan is not used to support human rights abuses in Balochistan.

The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. Whilst UK Aid does not directly deliver in Balochistan, the UK Government continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan on human rights matters. I raised the importance of upholding civil and political rights with senior Pakistani Ministers, including the Minister for Human Rights and Interior Minister, during my visit to Pakistan in November 2024. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan in accordance with its constitution and international standards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria during December 2024.

The UK is committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including intercommunal violence and violent extremism, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The root causes of this violence are complex, and whilst religious identity can play a role, so can loss of economic opportunity, competition over land and natural resources. Our support includes funding to programmes which strengthen mechanisms to resolve conflict and build resilience in affected communities. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we also engage with Nigerian security actors to address these complex issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on the protection of Christians in that country.

The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of an inclusive political process with interim Foreign Minister Al Shaybani during a meeting in Riyadh on 12 January. In December, senior Foreign Office officials met with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the interim Foreign Minister. They highlighted the need to protect the rights of all civilians, including religious minorities. We are closely monitoring the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of China's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners.

The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.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, and through bilateral engagement. For example, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi and Foreign Minister Wang).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK-US relationship.

The United States is an indispensable ally and the Foreign Secretary is deeply committed to strengthening the UK-US relationship. In September, he hosted the first UK-US Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Our department is in constant dialogue with the US on everything we do, from sanctions to Syria - the Foreign Secretary last spoke to Secretary Blinken last weekend. Next month, the US will have a new Administration. The Foreign Secretary has met and developed relationships with many senior Republicans, including meeting with President-elect Trump with the Prime Minister in September for dinner. We are looking forward to working with the new Administration when they take office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Syrian counterpart on the (a) humanitarian situation in that country, (b) treatment of religious minorities in that country and (c) stability of the region.

The Foreign Secretary does not have an official counterpart in Syria. He has not had discussions with the interim authorities.The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government.The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, publicly and in our engagement with regional and international partners. During a meeting with the new interim Syrian authorities earlier this week in Damascus, senior FCDO officials underlined the importance of an inclusive transitional political process which protects the rights of all Syrians. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.The UK is working closely with humanitarian and other partners to monitor the humanitarian situation, assess impacts and needs, and determine how best to respond. We continue to support those in need across Syria, where it is safe to do so. Through NGOs and UN organisations, we are providing food, healthcare and other life-saving assistance. The UK has announced an additional £61 million in funding since 27 November 2024 to support vulnerable Syrians in Syria and the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Pakistani counterpart on protecting religious minorities from hate crimes, (b) promoting accountability for perpetrators of violence and (c) safeguarding the rights of Ahmadi Muslims in that country.

We work to protect and promote human rights in Pakistan through our diplomatic engagement and programme funding. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November. On 20 November, I also attended a meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister, where the British High Commissioner and I raised concerns about violence directed towards Ahmadi Muslims. The UK will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of aid provided by his Department's Freedom of Religion or Belief programme in financial year 2024-25.

The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or 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 fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding. The FCDO John Bunyan Fund, the designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects, has a budget allocation of £460,720 in FY24/25. More broadly, the FCDO works to ensure that Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance irrespective of race, religion, or ethnicity. This includes minority religious or belief communities, who are assessed by our partners when determining those most in need of protection and assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Holy See on the future of the Tridentine Mass at the Chartres pilgrimage in France.

This is an internal matter for the Catholic Church. We continue to engage the Holy See regularly bilaterally and in multilateral fora on areas of mutual interest. Most recently, on 27 November Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner met Cardinal Parolin, with whom she discussed homelessness, inter-faith dialogue and climate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of changes in the level of anti-Christian (a) discrimination and (b) hate crimes in Europe.

There is no space for religious intolerance in pluralistic, modern societies. This Government is committed to using the strength of our global network to protect and promote Freedom of Religion or Belief for all. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal, and without prejudice. We lit up the FCDO estate on 20 November to mark Red Wednesday in solidarity with Christians and others facing persecution. We will continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had meetings with Ahmadiyya Muslim representatives in London in the last six months.

On 20 November, I attended a meeting with Pakistan's Minister of Interior Mosin Naqvi, where the British High Commissioner and I raised concerns about threats of violence directed towards Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. The British High Commissioner also raised Ahmadi rights with the Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs on 21 November.On 9 May, FCDO officials met with Ahmadi community representatives at the Baitul Futuh mosque in Morden, London, where they discussed key concerns of the Ahmadi community. Officials again met with representatives from the Ahmadi community on 29 August.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the cancellation of the Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony for freedom of religion or belief in South Korea.

The UK government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. The UK and South Korea share a close partnership. Our Downing Street Accord commits us to such fundamental freedoms. This includes rights and freedoms relating to religion or beliefs, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights treaty, which ROK has been a member party of since 1990.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Canadian counterpart on taking steps to help tackle religious hate crimes towards Jewish communities in that country.

The UK and Canada are close partners and friends. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Joly engage regularly on a wide range of topics. They last spoke on 25 November. I briefly met Minister Joly in the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting on 3 December. The UK will continue to work with its partners to tackle all forms of extremism to ensure the safety of our communities. We are clear that incitement of violence or hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief is unacceptable.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to call for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai from solitary confinement.

British national Jimmy Lai's case is a priority for the UK Government, and we are closely monitoring his trial. The Foreign Secretary has been consistent in raising Jimmy Lai's case with counterparts in the Chinese Government, including during his meeting with China's Foreign Minister in Beijing on 18 October. The Minister for Indo-Pacific also raised Lai's case with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities when she visited Hong Kong on 14-15 November.The UK Government has consistently called for Jimmy Lai's release and raised concerns about his case directly with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will suspend all visits from (a) Chinese and (b) Hong Kong officials whilst hon. Members are sanctioned by the Chinese Government.

China's retaliatory sanctions, including against Parliamentarians, are unwarranted and unacceptable. They are incomparable to the sanctions announced by the UK in 2021, which were based on compelling and widespread evidence of serious and systematic human rights violations in Xinjiang. This Government consistently raises the issue of UK Parliamentarians sanctioned by China. The Foreign Secretary has called on China to lift its sanctions including against Parliamentarians at every meeting he has had with his counterpart.The Government believes that it should engage with China where there are clear UK and global interests. There are currently no plans to suspend all visits from Chinese and Hong Kong officials in relation to sanctions against Parliamentarians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reported clashes between Chinese and Philippine patrol vessels.

In the South China Sea, we are committed to international law, the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We oppose any action that raises tensions or the risk of miscalculation and take no sides in the sovereignty disputes. We encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through the existing legal mechanisms, particularly UNCLOS. During the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to China, he raised the importance of sustained dialogue on issues of mutual concern, and the UK's interests in regional peace and stability.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to issue guidance on EU visa waivers.

Entry requirements for British nationals travelling to the EU are set out in the FCDO's travel advice pages on gov.uk. The guidance is based on information provided by the EU and its Member States. FCDO travel advice is regularly updated to reflect our latest understanding of these requirements, with links for further information provided within the travelling abroad pages on gov.uk. The new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme is not a visa, and we continue to discuss its implementation with the European Commission and European Union Member States.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of criminal gangs taking over the streets in Gaza.

The breakdown of law and order in Gaza is hugely concerning. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and completely unacceptable. The fighting must stop now. A ceasefire would help protect civilians in Gaza and pave the way for much-needed stability. The international community will need to support long-term reconstruction, governance and security in Gaza, including through reforming and empowering the Palestinian Authority so it is fit to govern and provide security for the civilians living in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Malaysian counterpart on reports of persecution of (a) Shia and (b) Ahmadiyya Muslims in that country.

The Foreign Secretary has not had discussions with his counterpart on reports of persecution of Shia and Ahmadiyya Muslims in Malaysia.However, the UK is committed to promoting and defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The UK High Commission in Malaysia raises concerns about limitations on freedom of expression and other human rights issues, including freedom of religion, on a regular basis, both publicly and in private. We also work through the UN to promote and protect these rights, including raising country specific issues at the UN Human Rights Council.