Written questions by Osamor.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what considerations her Department has made on the potential merits of supporting the reconvening of a United Nations Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan.

One of the key principles of the International Sudan Conference in Berlin on 15 April was to take collective action to protect civilians, including children, from the horrendous atrocities taking place in Sudan. This is outlined in the Conference Co-Chairs' statement, linked below, issued by the UK, Germany, France, the EU, US, and African Union. A proposal to reconvene the Diplomatic Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan is under consideration by the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice, launched by the UK and partners on 26 February. A meeting between the members and Non-Governmental Organisation partners will take place in due course to discuss and evaluate the proposal. The UK remains firmly committed to the Children and Armed Conflict agenda and we will continue to champion it, ensuring that the rights, safety and future of Sudanese children remain at the forefront of the international response.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/third-international-sudan-conference-april-2026-co-hosts-statement/third-international-sudan-conference-berlin-co-hosts-statement-15-april-2026

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is integrated into aid programmes.

The championing of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is a key element of the UK's human rights work overseas, for the funding of that work, and for the reporting to Parliament that we do on that work. For further detail, I refer the Hon. Member to the strategy for the Government's international FoRB work set out by the UK Special Envoy for FoRB in July 2025:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-approach-to-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-uk-special-envoy-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-speech-july-2025

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prioritise issues concerning freedom of religion or belief in future Human Rights and Democracy Reports.

The championing of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is a key element of the UK's human rights work overseas, for the funding of that work, and for the reporting to Parliament that we do on that work. For further detail, I refer the Hon. Member to the strategy for the Government's international FoRB work set out by the UK Special Envoy for FoRB in July 2025:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-approach-to-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-uk-special-envoy-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-speech-july-2025

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Israeli government on its land registration process in Area C of the West Bank.

We condemn the decision to expand land registration requirements in Area C of the West Bank, and other recent Israeli Security Cabinet decisions that extend Israel's control over the West Bank, and accelerate illegal settlement activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to establish an independent UN investigation into civilian casualties and possible war crimes in the US conflict with Iran.

The UK has maintained the position over several decades that all parties in all conflicts should comply with International Humanitarian Law and take every possible step to minimise harm to civilians. We continue to support the remit and independence of the established bodies who monitor compliance with these principles.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if her Department will take diplomatic steps to support an independent investigation into allegations of abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 October in response to Question 80474.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Saudi counterpart on child defendant executions.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December in response to Question 97116.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect Palestinian (a) children and (b) services which support them.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided by my colleague, Minister Chris Elmore MP, in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 3 March, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:Tens of thousands of children have been killed, injured, orphaned, or separated from their family during this conflict. The UK has medically evacuated 50 children for treatment in the UK, but help on the required scale can only be delivered on the ground in Gaza. We are providing £81 million in humanitarian and early recovery support this year, including social protection services, which have so far supported over 335,000 Palestinian children.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish in full the legal basis of the decision to allow the United States to use British military bases to attack Iranian missile sites.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 March in response to Question 117440.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the United States executive order of 29 January 2026 on new sanctions against any country supplying oil to Cuba.

The UK continues to follow developments in Cuba closely, including the impact of the 29 January US executive order. The UK has maintained a consistent and long-standing position on the US embargo, voting for the annual UN resolution calling for its end every year since 1996.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Israeli counterpart on the bulldozing of parts of The Gaza War Cemetery in al-Tuffah.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 February in response to Question 111058.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of recent attacks on Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods in Syria including civilian casualties and displacement.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026, and I can assure her that we continue to raise the protection of Kurdish civilians as a constant subject of concern with the Syrian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international partners on establishing independent international monitoring of attacks against Kurdish civilians in Aleppo and Northern Syria.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026, and I can assure her that we continue to raise the protection of Kurdish civilians as a constant subject of concern with the Syrian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the protection and political inclusion of Kurdish communities form part of the UK’s conditions for diplomatic engagement with the Syrian Government.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026, and I can assure her that we continue to raise the protection of Kurdish civilians as a constant subject of concern with the Syrian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the alleged forced disappearances of Muhammad Bakhsh Sajidi, Naeem Sajidi and Rafeeq Baloch.

The UK is deeply concerned by reports of enforced disappearances in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. We regularly raise concerns about human rights with the Government of Pakistan at senior levels and continue to underline the importance of upholding civil and political rights and the rule of law. We urge the Pakistani authorities to investigate all allegations of enforced disappearances promptly, transparently and effectively, to hold those responsible to account, and to provide justice to victims and their families.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has undertaken any impact assessment in 2025 ahead of decisions to reduce, maintain or increase financial support in 2026 to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) multilateral funds.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) published an Equalities Impact Assessment related to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in September 2025. The UK's future commitments to both the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait are being determined as part of our multi-year budget allocation process, the outcome of which will be set out in due course. The GPE remains committed to supporting children's access to safe, quality education, and the FCDO has been working closely with the GPE on their new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, including support for safe-school initiatives, and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with the Global Partnership for Education to ensure safe schools and reduce violence against girls around the world.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) published an Equalities Impact Assessment related to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in September 2025. The UK's future commitments to both the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait are being determined as part of our multi-year budget allocation process, the outcome of which will be set out in due course. The GPE remains committed to supporting children's access to safe, quality education, and the FCDO has been working closely with the GPE on their new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, including support for safe-school initiatives, and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of recent reports of a communications blackout being imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 October to Question 78430.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Syrian counterpart on recent clashes between the Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo.

We were concerned by the recent escalation of violence in the Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods in Aleppo on 6 October and welcomed the swift ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian Government. It is vital that both sides continue to engage in negotiations to reach a sustainable political settlement. The UK Representative for Syria regularly engages with both parties in support of an inclusive political settlement and discussed the situation in Aleppo with the Syrian Government during her recent visit to Damascus.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the post by the Israeli Government’s Arabic-language X account, published on 25 August 2025.

The UK Government remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief globally. We condemn all instances in which social media is used to incite violence, hatred, or discrimination, including on the basis of religion or belief.