Written questions by Gethins.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to foster dialogue between India and Pakistan on peace in Kashmir.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to question 82344.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of protections for journalists in Gaza.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 3 October 2025 to question 76551.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support dialogue between India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan are both long-standing, important friends of the UK. We continue to encourage both to engage in dialogue and to find lasting political solutions to support regional stability. The UK has engaged extensively with both countries, as have other key states, in order to encourage India and Pakistan to return to diplomacy. I remain concerned by the potential for future escalation, which neither the region nor the wider world could afford.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of protests in Nepal.

The UK and Nepal share a deep historic relationship. We are appalled at the recent violence and we continue to support fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights in Nepal, including the right to protest and peaceful assembly. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have made public statements condemning the violence and calling for accountability and peaceful dialogue. We are closely monitoring events, alongside our international partners, and we will assess the impact fully when the situation has stabilised. The FCDO continues to support impacted British nationals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support state-level institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK remains committed to the stability and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including supporting its state institutions and the Office of the High Representative. On 17 June, the Foreign Secretary and I underlined that commitment to BiH Presidency Members Becirovic and Komsic. We continue to condemn secessionist actions by Milorad Dodik, former President of Republika Srpska, which undermine BiH's stability and state institutions. Our Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes also support the country's state institutions to deliver their mandates. Our projects provide support to the judiciary and have worked to combat corruption and serious organised crime.I recently discussed the situation in BiH with the European External Action Service and regularly discuss our work to maintain peace and stability with Quint partners. We will host the Berlin Process this autumn.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with European counterparts on offering support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the rule of law.

Following the appeal ruling by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) against Milorad Dodik, former President of Republika Srpska, we have worked with European and international counterparts to stress the importance of respect for the judgement and that all actors should uphold the rule of law. In July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy about safeguarding BiH's rule of law, and officials have regular coordination meetings with Quint counterparts. We will continue to work with our BiH and international partners to support local actors in upholding the rule of law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with European counterparts on export tariffs for the British Overseas Territories.

We recognise the impact tariffs have on the Overseas Territories exporting to the EU, particularly the Falkland Islands and Tristan da Cunha. These tariffs stem from the fact that the UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement agreed by the previous UK government did not cover the Overseas Territories.We recognise the significant issue of these tariffs for the OTs and industry and continue to engage closely with the Overseas Territories on this and other issues to identify opportunities to improve their trading and business environment, not only with Europe but globally, including securing recent US Government agreement to reduce US tariffs on Falklands exports from a proposed 42 per cent to 10 per cent.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) EU, (b) Canadian and (c) US counterparts on the release of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

Russia must pay for the damage it has caused and is causing Ukraine. This is a matter that must be considered collectively, and we are working urgently with our partners across the G7 and European Union to consider all lawful avenues to make Russia pay. It would not be appropriate to give a running commentary; it's important that we preserve the ability to have candid conversations with our international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the United States sanctioning of the Prosecutor and judges of the International Criminal Court.

The Foreign Secretary has had multiple discussions on sanctions on the International Criminal Count (ICC) with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Successive UK and US administrations have taken a different view on the ICC - for example, the UK are signatories to the Rome Statute, the US are not. We support the independence of the ICC, and do not support sanctioning individual Court officials. The Court must be permitted to do its work, exercising its jurisdiction in line with the Rome Statute, investigating allegations of the international crimes that fall within its remit, and following legal process. These measures will not diminish calls for an end to impunity for the most serious international crimes. We remain fully committed to that goal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent arrests of political leaders in Georgia.

I am deeply concerned by the recent, politically motivated, sentencing of prominent Georgian opposition leaders. On 23 June, I urged Georgian Dream to stop misusing the judiciary to silence opposition voices, and to release all political prisoners.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) summoned the Georgian Chargé d'Affaires to formally register our concerns about Georgian Dream's unacceptable actions. On 1 July, I spoke with a number of European partners to discuss our collective concerns and, on 11 July, the Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement condemning the politically motivated detentions of opposition politicians.While Georgian Dream's actions negatively affect our bilateral relations, the UK remains a firm supporter of the Georgian people's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and stands ready to support a return to democratic norms and European values.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on that country's recognition of (a) South Ossetia and (b) Abkhazia.

The Foreign Secretary has not discussed Syria's recognition of South Ossetia or Abkhazia with his counterpart.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential (a) implications for its policies of the Georgian Foreign Agent Registration Act and (b) impact of that legislation on civil society in that country.

I am deeply concerned by the Georgian Foreign Agents Registration Act which came into force on 31 May 2025 and the implications it will have on our ability to support the reforms required for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. This legislation represents a serious setback for democratic governance, civil liberties, and Georgia's stated European aspirations. I have shared my concerns with Georgian Dream representatives and encouraged engagement with civil society, opposition voices and the Venice Commission to bring their approach into line with international human rights standards as well as Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe principles and commitments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with European counterparts on the detention of demonstrators in Novi Sad, Serbia.

We and international partners continue to track ongoing political protests and responses in Serbia, including a number of arrests and detentions of demonstrators in Novi Sad and other cities. The UK continues to stress to Serbia's leaders the importance of respecting citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as the Foreign Secretary did when visiting Belgrade last month.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of the detention of demonstrators in Novi Sad, Serbia.

We and international partners continue to track ongoing political protests and responses in Serbia, including a number of arrests and detentions of demonstrators in Novi Sad and other cities. The UK continues to stress to Serbia's leaders the importance of respecting citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as the Foreign Secretary did when visiting Belgrade last month.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to increase funding for international humanitarian organisations that provide aid in Sudan.

The UK has been a longstanding and major humanitarian donor to Sudan with £226.5 million allocated in financial year 2024/25 towards the crisis. In his statement to Parliament in February about defence and Official Development Assistance spend, the Prime Minister made clear that Sudan would remain a humanitarian priority for the UK. The Prime Minister is committed to returning to 0.7 per cent spending when fiscal conditions allow. The ongoing obfuscation of relief operations by Sudan's warring parties is imperilling millions of people. More funding is required from across the international community. However, without a step change in access the already dire situation will drastically deteriorate. The UK will however continue to support international humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Food Programme, who are providing life-saving food commodities and nutritional programmes to those most in need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps through the UN Security Council to (a) protect Sudanese (i) women and children and (ii) other civilians and (b) hold people responsible for (A) violence and (B) displacement to account.

The conflict in Sudan is having a devastating impact on children. An estimated 17 million children are out of school. More than 50 per cent of Sudan's caseload of 8.8 million internally displaced persons are children. The UK is playing an active role at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to help protect Sudanese civilians. For example, through public interventions, senior engagements, Council products and sanctions, we continue to push the warring parties to take every precaution to safeguard Sudanese civilians, including children. In November 2024, the Minister for Africa chaired a meeting of the UNSC to address the plight of Sudanese civilians, including women and children. The UK also tabled a UNSC resolution on protection of civilians in Sudan which shamefully Russia vetoed. Last month, the Minister for Africa chaired a UNSC Briefing on conflict related sexual violence in Sudan, emphasising the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The UK has also led efforts at the Human Rights Council to establish and renew the mandate for the UN Fact-Finding Mission which is crucial for supporting future accountability efforts in Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases in hard-to-reach areas of Sudan.

The conflict in Sudan and the widespread destruction of sanitation and health services has caused devastating disease outbreaks across the country. Two-thirds of states in Sudan are now experiencing more than three different disease outbreaks, which are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. In response, the UK is supporting the United Nations Children's Fund and others who are delivering lifesaving emergency health interventions including cholera vaccines, treatment, and prevention. Specifically, we are also contributing to an ongoing cholera vaccination campaign in Kosti and Rabak, targeting one million people. UK aid is also addressing related needs across the region given the cross-border risks of Sudan's cholera outbreak. We continue to urge all parties in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access so that aid reaches those most in need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help improve primary health care in hard-to-reach areas of Sudan.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest and most severe globally. Tens of millions of people require life-saving aid with almost 640,000 people projected to be experiencing catastrophic famine conditions. In the financial year ending 31 March 2025, the UK provided more than £226 million in life-saving aid towards the crisis. As part of this, we supported the United Nations Children's Fund who provided lifesaving nutrition and health programmes to some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach people in Sudan. This includes integrated nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and health programming. We also supported the International Committee of the Red Cross who provided health and WASH programmes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure access to nutritional treatment in areas (a) experiencing and (b) at risk of famine in Sudan.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest and most severe globally. Tens of millions of people require life-saving aid with almost 640,000 people projected to be experiencing catastrophic famine conditions. In the financial year ending 31 March 2025, the UK provided more than £226 million in life-saving aid towards the crisis. As part of this, we supported the United Nations Children's Fund who provided lifesaving nutrition and health programmes to some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach people in Sudan. This includes integrated nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and health programming. We also supported the International Committee of the Red Cross who provided health and WASH programmes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department’s policy priorities will be when the UK chairs the Berlin Process 2025.

We will use the Berlin Process to advance security and growth through strengthened partnerships with our Western Balkan and other European partners, including on tackling irregular migration. This will support the Prime Minister's domestic missions of national security, secure borders, safer streets and kickstarting growth. It will strengthen Euro-Atlantic integration and regional co-operation between the six Western Balkan countries. The Berlin Process consists of a Leaders' Summit, ministerial meetings and other forums and we are keen for voices to be heard in a constructive and inclusive atmosphere. Dame Karen Pierce, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, will drive forward preparations for the Summit.