Written questions by Jones.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of India on the protection of Christian communities and other religious minorities; and what steps her Department is taking to promote freedom of religion or belief in India.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a lack of access to (a) education, (b) employment and (c) public services on (a) the BaBaháʼí community and (b) other religious minorities in Iran.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the state of freedom of religion or belief in India; and what discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on that topic.

We take the issues of freedom of religion and belief across the world very seriously. I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 March in response to Question 116730.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Vietnam regarding the release of political prisoners requiring medical care; and what steps she is taking to promote freedom of religion or belief in Vietnam.

Vietnam is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Freedom of Religion and Belief Strategy, launched in July 2025, and we raise the issue on a regular basis with the Government of Vietnam. We also regularly raise concerns about the treatment of political prisoners, including access to appropriate medical care, through bilateral engagement and also jointly with the support of other diplomatic missions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the reported forced confessions and coerced statements of Baha’i followers broadcast on Iranian state media, including on the potential impact on the level of religious persecution of Baha’i followers in Iran..

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Egyptian counterpart on the potential impact of the use of Egyptian national identity cards to record a person's religion on the level of religious discrimination.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that a Christian researcher in Egypt has been sentenced under blasphemy laws, including the potential impact on religious minorities freedom in that country.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking in collaboration with her counterpart in Myanmar to support the ability of Christian communities to (a) observe religious holidays and (b) practice their faith in Myanmar.

The UK continues to support Freedom of Religion and Belief in Myanmar, and we support the right of Christian communities and other faith groups in Myanmar to practice their religion without fear of violence or persecution.In 2025, we co-sponsored a UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for the Myanmar military to fully respect and protect the human rights of all persons, including those belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, and we strongly condemn the Myanmar military's use of airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, including places of worship.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) diplomatic steps is her Department taking to assist in (i) locating and (ii) rescuing the remaining girls kidnaped from Chibok on 14 April 2014, and (b) what recent discussions has she had with the Nigerian Government about this.

The UK Government strongly condemns the abduction and continued captivity of children by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) in North East Nigeria, and has repeatedly called for their release. This includes the 2014 kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls, around 90 of whom are understood still to be missing. On 11 November the Foreign Secretary held a meeting in London with Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar where the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria was discussed. The UK Government will continue to work closely with the Nigerian Government to prevent the future abduction of children in Nigeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of discrimination affecting religious-minority women in the garment sector in South Asia; and how this is being addressed through UK development and human-rights programmes.

We remain concerned by the discrimination that affects religious minority women in South Asia's garment sector, and we continue to advocate for their fair treatment, equal opportunities and safe working conditions. UK-funded programmes across South Asia also support women's entrepreneurship, and inclusive trade benefitting vulnerable groups.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Cuban counterpart on reports of gender-based violence against women human rights defenders.

Our relationship with Cuba allows for frank dialogue, including on matters on which we do not agree. Our Ambassador in Havana has raised recent human rights cases with the Ministry of External Relations, and we work with likeminded partners to make clear our shared position. We will continue to raise concerns where we have them through diplomatic channels, in both London and Havana.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of her policies of the recent ADF attack on Byambwe Reference Health Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Christian-majority Lubero territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 24 November to Question 91327.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking with international partners concerning the recent crackdown on citizens in Cameroon following the elections.

Throughout the electoral process, we encouraged the Government of Cameroon to strengthen democratic institutions, highlighting the vital role of civil society in fostering dialogue and stability, and funded innovative approaches to promote political inclusion and engagement. Following the elections, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa encouraged all parties to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and pursue inclusive dialogue to address grievances and preserve stability. We remain committed to advancing democracy and human rights in Cameroon, while maintaining a constructive relationship, grounded in shared Commonwealth values.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the protection of Christians in Sri Lanka.

The UK supports the right to freedom of religion or belief for all and regularly raises the importance of religious tolerance and the protection of rights for all Sri Lankans to practise their faith. Our High Commission in Colombo regularly meet government and religious leaders, including affected minorities and civil society, to hear their concerns and support interfaith dialogues and counter discrimination work based on religion or belief. During her visit to Sri Lanka in January 2025, the former Minister for the Indo-Pacific met activists working on freedom of religion or belief issues to reaffirm the UK's commitment to protecting these fundamental rights. More recently, the Minister for the Indo-Pacific met the Sri Lankan Speaker, Justice Minister and wider ministerial delegation in October and discussed the importance of respecting human rights and having an inclusive and transparent process as part of Sri Lanka's reconciliation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the protection of civilians following the capture of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces on 26 October.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response provided to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians on 30 October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Nicaraguan counterpart on the imprisonment of Efrén Antonio Vílchez López.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 17 October 2025 to question 81287. We remain concerned by the harassment and arbitrary detention of members of the Church in Nicaragua and urge the Nicaraguan authorities to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the (a) physical assault and (b) death threats of 20 Christians on 21 September following the implementation of a new anti-conversion law in Rajasthan, India.

Any reports of physical assaults and death threats are concerning. We condemn all forms of violence and intimidation against individuals on the basis of their religion or belief. The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, no matter the individual or faith involved. Our High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commissions across India track developments in this space and engage with civil society organisations and religious representatives to promote tolerance and respect between communities. India is one of ten priority countries under the UK's FoRB Strategy, and we continue to monitor developments closely. We urge all governments to uphold the rights enshrined in international human rights law, including the right to practice and propagate one's religion freely and without fear.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the reported massacre of of mourners in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 8 September 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 October to Question 77022.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Laos on the disappearance of Sombath Somphone.

The UK continues to raise the case of Sombath Somphone's disappearance with the Lao authorities, both bilaterally and through multilateral fora such as the UN Human Rights Council. Most recently, on 3 September 2025, the previous Minister for the Indo-Pacific raised the case with the Laos Deputy Foreign Minister during the UK-Laos Political Dialogue. This followed up on her visit to Laos in April, where she also raised the issue. The UK remains committed to supporting human rights in Laos and will continue to raise this case.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken in the context of deaths among (a) political and (b) religious prisoners in Nicaragua.

The UK remains deeply concerned about the relentless deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, including reports of the deaths of political and religious prisoners. We continue to raise concerns over arbitrary detentions and restrictions on freedom of religion, including at the UN Human Rights Council on 28 February, and at the Organisation of the American States General Assembly on 25 June. We will continue to urge the Nicaraguan authorities to restore democratic freedoms through our engagements in-country and with their Embassy.