Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to deploy experts from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative to support the documentation of sexual violence and the protection of survivors in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is appalled at the severe impact of the conflict in Sudan on women and girls, including widespread sexual violence.

Through our leadership roles at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, we have championed evidence collection and accountability. On 6 October, the UK led efforts to renew the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), the only independent mechanism preserving evidence of atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence. We also fund a specialist Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) investigator within the FFM and are deploying a UK secondee to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Darfur investigation.

On 1 November, the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £5 million to support critical humanitarian services in Sudan, £2 million of which will be specifically allocated to bolster responses which focus on supporting the survivors of rape and sexual violence. This is in addition to the £120 million in UK funding already allocated for Sudan this year, including support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

We directly support women and girls through our programming, including the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme which provides sexual and reproductive services to women, girls, persons living with disability and men, with UK aid delivered in camps for IDPs and elsewhere. Through our Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) programme, the UK is providing an additional £4.95 million until March 2026 to support 100,000 women and girls with a range of services to prevent and respond to FGM, child marriage and gender-based violence. This brings the total UK support delivered through this programme to £19.95 million.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding has been (1) paid, and (2) pledged, to local women's organisations providing medical and psychosocial support to survivors of sexual violence in Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is appalled at the severe impact of the conflict in Sudan on women and girls, including widespread sexual violence.

Through our leadership roles at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, we have championed evidence collection and accountability. On 6 October, the UK led efforts to renew the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), the only independent mechanism preserving evidence of atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence. We also fund a specialist Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) investigator within the FFM and are deploying a UK secondee to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Darfur investigation.

On 1 November, the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £5 million to support critical humanitarian services in Sudan, £2 million of which will be specifically allocated to bolster responses which focus on supporting the survivors of rape and sexual violence. This is in addition to the £120 million in UK funding already allocated for Sudan this year, including support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

We directly support women and girls through our programming, including the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme which provides sexual and reproductive services to women, girls, persons living with disability and men, with UK aid delivered in camps for IDPs and elsewhere. Through our Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) programme, the UK is providing an additional £4.95 million until March 2026 to support 100,000 women and girls with a range of services to prevent and respond to FGM, child marriage and gender-based violence. This brings the total UK support delivered through this programme to £19.95 million.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have received verified evidence from the United Nations or other credible sources confirming the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan; and what action they are taking to support the investigation and documentation of such crimes.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is appalled at the severe impact of the conflict in Sudan on women and girls, including widespread sexual violence.

Through our leadership roles at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, we have championed evidence collection and accountability. On 6 October, the UK led efforts to renew the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), the only independent mechanism preserving evidence of atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence. We also fund a specialist Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) investigator within the FFM and are deploying a UK secondee to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Darfur investigation.

On 1 November, the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £5 million to support critical humanitarian services in Sudan, £2 million of which will be specifically allocated to bolster responses which focus on supporting the survivors of rape and sexual violence. This is in addition to the £120 million in UK funding already allocated for Sudan this year, including support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

We directly support women and girls through our programming, including the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme which provides sexual and reproductive services to women, girls, persons living with disability and men, with UK aid delivered in camps for IDPs and elsewhere. Through our Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) programme, the UK is providing an additional £4.95 million until March 2026 to support 100,000 women and girls with a range of services to prevent and respond to FGM, child marriage and gender-based violence. This brings the total UK support delivered through this programme to £19.95 million.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the safety of women and girls in camps for internally displaced people in Darfur and along Sudan's borders, following reports of widespread sexual assaults and forced marriages.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is appalled at the severe impact of the conflict in Sudan on women and girls, including widespread sexual violence.

Through our leadership roles at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, we have championed evidence collection and accountability. On 6 October, the UK led efforts to renew the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), the only independent mechanism preserving evidence of atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence. We also fund a specialist Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) investigator within the FFM and are deploying a UK secondee to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Darfur investigation.

On 1 November, the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £5 million to support critical humanitarian services in Sudan, £2 million of which will be specifically allocated to bolster responses which focus on supporting the survivors of rape and sexual violence. This is in addition to the £120 million in UK funding already allocated for Sudan this year, including support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

We directly support women and girls through our programming, including the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme which provides sexual and reproductive services to women, girls, persons living with disability and men, with UK aid delivered in camps for IDPs and elsewhere. Through our Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) programme, the UK is providing an additional £4.95 million until March 2026 to support 100,000 women and girls with a range of services to prevent and respond to FGM, child marriage and gender-based violence. This brings the total UK support delivered through this programme to £19.95 million.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to recent reports about the treatment of Palestinian detainees in places of detention in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, what assessment they have made of Israel's compliance with (1) Articles 2 and 11–16 of the UN Convention Against Torture, (2) Articles 7, 9 and 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and (3) Articles 27 and 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention; what impact that assessment has on their analysis of the risk of UK-licensed goods being used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law; and whether they will consider the suspension of extant export licences to Israel, including the Israel Prison Service.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment and sexual violence against detainees. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We have repeatedly made private and public representations on the treatment of detainees with our Israeli counterparts. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support, if any, they have offered or provided to the authorities of Israel through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative to strengthen prevention, documentation, and investigation of sexual violence in detention settings.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment and sexual violence against detainees. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We have repeatedly made private and public representations on the treatment of detainees with our Israeli counterparts. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports alleging sexual violence and other forms of abuse against male and female detainees in Israeli prisons; and what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding mechanisms to ensure accountability for such acts.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment and sexual violence against detainees. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We have repeatedly made private and public representations on the treatment of detainees with our Israeli counterparts. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the investigation and prosecution of any person in the United Kingdom who is suspected of being responsible for torture or inhuman treatment of Palestinian detainees since 7 October 2023.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The War Crimes Team at the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command are responsible for the investigation of allegations of Core International Crimes CIC). The Counter Terrorism Division within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for the review and prosecution of CIC.

The CPS will consider any information that is referred by the police and any decision to prosecute will be considered on a case-by case basis and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

The CPS has also published War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity Referral Guidelines in regard to the investigation and prosecution of allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and torture (Core International Crimes), in order to enable the process for investigations, arrests and prosecutions to be conducted in an orderly and transparent way.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Team have been tasked (1) to secure and preserve admissible evidence of torture or inhuman treatment of Palestinian detainees since 7 October 2023, (2) to assess potential command responsibility, and (3) to issue guidance to immigration and border officials in connection with any person present in the UK who is reasonably suspected of responsibility for torture or inhuman treatment of Palestinian detainees, consistent with Articles 5–7 of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the UK’s non-refoulement obligations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The War Crimes Team at the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command are responsible for the investigation of allegations of Core International Crimes CIC). The Counter Terrorism Division within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for the review and prosecution of CIC.

The CPS will consider any information that is referred by the police and any decision to prosecute will be considered on a case-by case basis and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

The CPS has also published War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity Referral Guidelines in regard to the investigation and prosecution of allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and torture (Core International Crimes), in order to enable the process for investigations, arrests and prosecutions to be conducted in an orderly and transparent way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the situation in Serbia regarding corruption, the rule of law, and restrictions on freedom of expression and the press; and whether they plan to review the United Kingdom’s support to Serbian state institutions, including through technical assistance, governance and justice sector cooperation, to ensure that all UK-funded programmes uphold democratic standards, transparency and accountability.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We remain concerned about shrinking civic space, pressures on independent media and slow progress on key reforms to strengthen rule of law and tackle corruption in Serbia. Recent steps such as progress on voter registration legislation are welcome, but need to be implemented. We continue to stress to Serbia's leadership the importance of respect for the rights to peaceful freedom of expression and assembly. UK-funded programmes, including technical assistance and governance cooperation, are designed and regularly assessed to support transparency, accountability, and good governance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government who currently holds the position of Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict; when that individual was appointed; what are the remit, responsibilities and reporting lines of that role; and what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the position in advancing the objective to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The current set of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) envoys is presently under review. FCDO Ministers will take decisions on envoys in due course, and appointments of any new envoys will be announced publicly.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the governments of (1) Bosnia and Herzegovina, and (2) Italy, regarding recent reports that foreign nationals participated in killings during the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s; and whether they intend to liaise with those governments to establish whether any British nationals were involved.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK welcomes the investigation being conducted into these very serious allegations, and we will, wherever needed, cooperate with the governments of Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other relevant authorities to ensure justice is done.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether alternative training facilities have been identified to replace Crowborough training camp; and if so, what estimate they have made of the cost and operational impact of redirecting units to those sites.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government takes the safety and wellbeing of all Cadets and Service personnel extremely seriously. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, including training, to develop any necessary mitigation actions. Our priority is to ensure these developments have limited impact on Cadets and we will always apply appropriate safeguarding measures so that we can continue delivering cadet programmes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether a risk assessment was conducted of the effect on reservist, cadet and regular unit training of diverting Crowborough training camp to non-military use; and, if not, why not.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government takes the safety and wellbeing of all Cadets and Service personnel extremely seriously. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, including training, to develop any necessary mitigation actions. Our priority is to ensure these developments have limited impact on Cadets and we will always apply appropriate safeguarding measures so that we can continue delivering cadet programmes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on training schedules, capacity and operational readiness as a result of the use of Crowborough training camp for asylum accommodation.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government takes the safety and wellbeing of all Cadets and Service personnel extremely seriously. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, including training, to develop any necessary mitigation actions. Our priority is to ensure these developments have limited impact on Cadets and we will always apply appropriate safeguarding measures so that we can continue delivering cadet programmes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what definition, guidance, or evaluative standard (1) the Department for Health and Social Care, (2) NHS employers, or (3) the General Medical Council, rely upon when determining whether a (a) statement, (b) social-media post, (c) repost, (d) share, (e) ‘like’, (f) comment, (g) private message, or (h) any other online action, constitutes a ‘pro-Palestinian’ view for the purposes of investigation or disciplinary action.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold this data on investigations or sanctions centrally.

The regulators of registered medical professionals, including the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, are independent of the Government, are directly accountable to Parliament, and are responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of their statutory duties. The United Kingdom’s model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government. The Department does not have oversight of regulators’ guidance, local employment policies, or actions taken by National Health Service employers at a local level.

Healthcare professionals, like all citizens, are entitled to their political opinions and have the right to campaign on issues. However, professional standards require that they must not express their personal beliefs, whether political or otherwise, to patients in ways that exploit their vulnerability or could reasonably cause them distress. The Government is clear that staff must demonstrate the core values of the NHS and demonstrate neutrality in the workplace. This neutrality supports the delivery of the highest quality of patient care, ensures patients can feel comfortable with the care they receive, and promotes strong working relationships with colleagues.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) doctors, (2) nurses, and (3) other registered medical professionals, have been investigated by the General Medical Council, other professional regulatory bodies or NHS employers since October 2023 in relation to statements or social-media posts perceived as expressing pro-Palestinian views; and what proportion of those inquiries proceeded beyond initial assessment.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold this data on investigations or sanctions centrally.

The regulators of registered medical professionals, including the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, are independent of the Government, are directly accountable to Parliament, and are responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of their statutory duties. The United Kingdom’s model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government. The Department does not have oversight of regulators’ guidance, local employment policies, or actions taken by National Health Service employers at a local level.

Healthcare professionals, like all citizens, are entitled to their political opinions and have the right to campaign on issues. However, professional standards require that they must not express their personal beliefs, whether political or otherwise, to patients in ways that exploit their vulnerability or could reasonably cause them distress. The Government is clear that staff must demonstrate the core values of the NHS and demonstrate neutrality in the workplace. This neutrality supports the delivery of the highest quality of patient care, ensures patients can feel comfortable with the care they receive, and promotes strong working relationships with colleagues.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many medical professionals have, since October 2023, been (1) struck off, (2) suspended, (3) formally disciplined, or (4) subjected to any other sanction, as a consequence of statements or online posts perceived as expressing pro-Palestinian views; and what forms of sanction were applied in those cases.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold this data on investigations or sanctions centrally.

The regulators of registered medical professionals, including the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, are independent of the Government, are directly accountable to Parliament, and are responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of their statutory duties. The United Kingdom’s model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government. The Department does not have oversight of regulators’ guidance, local employment policies, or actions taken by National Health Service employers at a local level.

Healthcare professionals, like all citizens, are entitled to their political opinions and have the right to campaign on issues. However, professional standards require that they must not express their personal beliefs, whether political or otherwise, to patients in ways that exploit their vulnerability or could reasonably cause them distress. The Government is clear that staff must demonstrate the core values of the NHS and demonstrate neutrality in the workplace. This neutrality supports the delivery of the highest quality of patient care, ensures patients can feel comfortable with the care they receive, and promotes strong working relationships with colleagues.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 18 November (HL11731), whether they will now answer the question put: namely, what assessment they have made of Israel's compliance with (1) Articles 2 and 11–16 of the UN Convention Against Torture, (2) Articles 7, 9 and 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and (3) Articles 27 and 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention; what impact that assessment has on their analysis of the risk of UK-licensed goods being used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law; and whether they will consider the suspension of extant export licences to Israel, including the Israel Prison Service.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 15 April 2025 to Question HL6259.