Written questions by Huq.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what legal basis her Department defers to a foreign police force's classification of the death of a British national abroad over the determination of an officially appointed pathologist and an official death certificate in circumstances where those findings would constitute grounds for a homicide investigation in England and Wales.

I am aware of the case that she raises, and I know the honourable member has written to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office about it and that officials are in touch with her constituent. There is no guidance on the specific circumstances she raises.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the activities of the Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq on regional security.

The UK has long been clear that the influence of armed militias operating outside effective state control remains one of Iraq's most pressing challenges, threatening both Iraq and the wider region's long-term stability. A stable and effective Iraqi state requires a monopoly on the legitimate use of force, exercised in accordance with the rule of law. Through our diplomatic engagement and programming, the UK supports efforts to strengthen accountable and capable state institutions, improve governance, reduce corruption and uphold due process, and we regularly engage with the Government of Iraq to urge further action to restrain militia activities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what outcomes have resulted from the UK High Commission in Islamabad’s engagement with civil society and human rights defenders.

Our High Commission in Islamabad engages regularly with civil society organisations and human rights defenders to monitor risks and to inform UK advocacy and programming. This engagement has helped shape UK funded work that has, for example, delivered the first Child Labour Surveys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in nearly two decades; provided technical support to strengthen child protection laws and policies, including the establishment of model Child Protection Units; and supported community level initiatives that improve access to services and justice for vulnerable groups. The High Commission has also supported efforts to advance media freedom, including UK backed advocacy that contributed to Pakistan's Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act (2021). We continue to use insights from this engagement to advocate for fundamental freedoms and due process for all Pakistan's citizens.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2026 to PQ 108008, what the outcome was of her Department’s engagement concerning religious minority political representation in Syria; and what initiatives she is supporting to promote inclusive governance and improved conditions for those communities.

In all of our engagement with the Syrian Government, we have been clear of the importance of ensuring a fair representation of Syria's diverse communities in positions of authority and consulting widely on planned next steps for Syria's transition. We believe that this is fundamental to re-building trust and supporting Syria's longer-term stability. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of inclusive governance and the need for greater representation of all groups, including women, with the Syrian Foreign Minister al- Shaibani during his visit to London in November. I also recently met with members of the UK Kurdish community to discuss their views on the 30 January agreement and their hopes for the future.Since the recent escalation began, we have regularly engaged both the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces and continue to press both sides to implement the 30 January agreement peacefully and in full, whilst also safeguarding humanitarian space and ensuring Kurdish participation in decision-making.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of reports of the use of cryptocurrency exchanges by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps via UK-based platforms.

As I said when this issue was raised in the Urgent Question debate on 19 January, we have a robust sanctions enforcement regime in place, and - while it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases - we will continue to investigate and take action against any individuals and entities, including cryptocurrency exchanges, involved in any unlawful attempts to circumvent our sanctions regime.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her Syrian counterpart on the representation of Kurdish people in the Syrian Government.

The Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister al Shaibani on 20 January to urge the Syrian Government to uphold the ceasefire in North-East Syria, halt further violence, and protect Kurdish rights. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, including the Kurdish community, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent information she has on the condition of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 20 January to Question 106167. Last week, Minister Falconer met members of the Foreman family, and we continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support de-escalation between the Syrian transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The UK welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Aleppo between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. We are concerned by reports of further violence. It is vital that all parties now focus on de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and a return to dialogue. We continue to engage with both sides, as well as regional and international partners, in support of the ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations to deliver a lasting political settlement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will summon the Israeli Ambassador to discuss recent reports of summary killings in the West Bank.

It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to set out the circumstances in which we would or would not summon a particular Ambassador, but we maintain a number of channels for raising concerns with the Israeli Government when necessary. On the wider issues raised, I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international counterparts on the effectiveness of the implementation of the peace plan in Gaza.

It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to set out the circumstances in which we would or would not summon a particular Ambassador, but we maintain a number of channels for raising concerns with the Israeli Government when necessary. On the wider issues raised, I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will issue a response to Israel’s plans to introduce a mandatory death penalty for terrorism against Israel.

The UK Government's policy on the death penalty is clear: we oppose it in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will issue a response to the UN Committee against Torture’s recent publication on Israel.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 August 2025 to Question 58600.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterparts on reinstating access to Gaza for foreign journalists.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 8 December to Question 97062.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterparts on the dual-use categorisation of vaccination syringes and bottles of baby formula.

We continue to urge the Israeli authorities to lift all restrictions that are delaying the flow of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, including food, medical items, and shelter kits, and to enable safe, unrestricted access for the United Nations and other organisations seeking to deliver that humanitarian relief.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the destruction of two Ahmadiyya places of worship in Chahur Mughliyan and Chahur Kotli on 2 September 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer on 29 October to question 83844.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterparts on the attack on the Ahmadiyya community at Bait-ul-Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah on 10 October 2025.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 29 October to question 82128.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Iranian counterparts on recent reports of six Baha’i women facing imminent imprisonment for their beliefs in Hamadan, Iran.

The UK Government and our Ambassador in Iran regularly raise our human rights concerns directly with the Iranian Government and in international fora. We are deeply concerned by the heightened threat currently faced by Baha'is in Iran.On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), UK Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization and UN, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the recent targeting and scapegoating of marginalised groups during and following the 12-day war, including Baha'is. On 25 March 2025, at the UNHRC, we called out Iran's escalation in the arrest and detention of Baha'i women, which was an effort to suppress their religious identity and autonomy as women. We were integral to the delivery of an Iran human rights resolution, adopted by the UNHRC on 3 April 2025, which renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, and renewed and expanded the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission, to establish the facts, circumstances and structural causes of ongoing and recent human rights violations, including discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Moroccan counterpart on ensuring protection for (a) human rights activists and (b) religious minorities in that country.

The UK remains committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including freedoms of expression and association. The UK also champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and it is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe.Officials, including up to Ambassador level, engage on these issues with the Moroccan Government and authorities accordingly. The UK shares a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Morocco, the third session of which is due to take place in London by the end of the year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support work to eradicate polio globally.

The UK is a longstanding supporter of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), having contributed £1.4 billion since 1995. This has enabled GPEI to reduce wild poliovirus cases by over 99 per cent. The UK is also the largest investor in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, recently announcing a new investment that will support eligible countries with polio vaccines as part of an essential package of childhood immunisation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Georgian counterpart on the treatment of (a) political opponents and (b) journalists in that country.

I remain gravely concerned by Georgia's democratic backsliding, attacks on the opposition and journalists. The former Foreign Secretary's 11 July statement condemned politically motivated detentions of opposition leaders in Georgia. On 6 August, the UK, with the Media Freedom Coalition, condemned the politically motivated sentencing of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison. Georgia must reverse course, uphold European values, and protect civil society and press freedom.