Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Syria and international partners following the attack at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church on 22 June; what assessment they have made of the implications of this attack for religious freedom in Syria; and what steps they are taking to support accountability and the safeguarding of religious minorities in Syria.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attack at Mar Elias Church and remains committed to combatting terrorism. The Minister for the Middle East sent a personal message to Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani, expressing condolences and the UK's continued support. On 25 June our Special Representative for Syria visited Damascus and discussed the assessment of the situation with the Foreign Minister. We will continue to underline the importance of an inclusive political transition and protection of the rights of all Syrians, as well as advocate for the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief for all.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Syria to ensure that survivors of Syria’s detention systems have their rights to justice, reparations and access to rehabilitation upheld.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has long condemned the gross human rights violations committed by the Assad regime, including those in Syria's detention systems. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons. We have urged the Syrian Government to engage collaboratively with civil societies and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus on 5 July, he raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the issue of conflict-related sexual violence; and how they are engaging the United Nations to ensure that the commission of inquiry is established as a matter of urgency.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains one of the world's most severe. In Eastern DRC, conditions have worsened-of the 28 million people facing acute food insecurity nationwide, 10 million are in the three conflict-affected eastern provinces. Civilians face grave risks, including sexual and gender-based violence. The UK provided over £80 million in humanitarian aid last financial year and remains committed to helping those most in need. Following the M23/Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) conflict escalation in January and February, the UK gave emergency funding to Panzi Hospital to ensure it could continue supporting its globally recognized care for survivors of sexual violence in South Kivu. Through our partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we continue supporting essential sexual and reproductive health services. Human rights in the DRC are a UK priority. We work with the UN and others to promote them, including most recently at the Human Rights Council where the UK's Permanent Representative encouraged the establishment of the independent Commission of Inquiry. Our Ambassador and Ministers also regularly raise human rights concerns with the DRC government, urging accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Syria to ensure that those responsible for torture and other human rights violations against survivors of Syria’s detention systems are properly investigated and that perpetrators are held accountable.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has long condemned the gross human rights violations committed by the Assad regime, including those in Syria's detention systems. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons. We have urged the Syrian Government to engage collaboratively with civil societies and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus on 5 July, he raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 1 July (HL8570), whether any scientific studies authored by Michael Briggs were included in the Expert Working Group review, published in November 2017.

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

An Expert Working Group (EWG) of the Commission on Human Medicines reviewed the available evidence on the possible association between hormone pregnancy tests and adverse outcomes in pregnancy. Its review considered all available scientific evidence, including information collected from a public call for evidence.

The purpose of the EWG was to ascertain whether the available data could establish a causal association between the use of hormone pregnancy tests during early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

One publication by Briggs was considered as part of the review of non-clinical evidence of reproductive and developmental toxicity for norethisterone acetate and ethinylestradiol and is therefore referenced on page 97 of this review. This publication is not cited within the text of the report as it did not contribute towards the final paper and its conclusions.

The EWG reported its findings in November 2017 and concluded that the totality of the available scientific data does not support a causal association between the use of hormone pregnancy tests during early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency remains committed to reviewing any new scientific data which becomes available following the conclusion of the EWG.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rights to freedom of religion or belief, and of association and assembly, in Armenia; and what representations they have made to the government of Armenia in this regard in recent months.

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

The UK Government remains firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, as well as the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, globally. Upholding international human rights is essential to ensure everyone can enjoy these freedoms without fear or discrimination. The UK raised human rights issues during Armenia's recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council on 1 May, where a number of recommendations were made.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent arrests of actual or perceived opposition leaders in Armenia, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, on allegations of plotting terrorist acts to seize power.

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

The UK is monitoring the recent arrests of opposition figures in Armenia, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. It is important that due process is allowed to take its course, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly under the law and that judicial proceedings remain transparent and impartial. The UK Government remains firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief globally.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Pakistan concerning the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, including the demolition of mosques, targeted killings and grave desecrations; and what steps they are taking to engage with Pakistan and its approach to supporting peacebuilding and the protection of religious freedom in that region.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are deeply concerned by the demolition of Ahmadi mosques in Pakistan and continue to monitor the situation. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises concerns over the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. The Minister for the Middle East raised the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims, including the impact of extremist groups such as Tehreek-e-Labbaik, with Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior in March 2025. In June 2025, ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Minister for the Middle East also raised the safety and dignity of Ahmadis seeking to practice their faith with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are taking steps to refer the situation in Ethiopia to the International Criminal Court, following the approach taken with regard to Bangladesh and Myanmar, having regard to the mass forced displacement of Tigrayans from Ethiopia.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is concerned by increasing risks of atrocities across the globe, including in Ethiopia. We raise our concern of risks of atrocities in both the multilateral space and bilaterally, where possible. We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in determining crimes against humanity, including in the context of Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last conducted a joint analysis of conflict and stability for Ethiopia, and whether they will review the situation again to take account of the escalating conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) Update was completed in June 2024 to refresh cross-government understanding of the drivers of conflict, insecurity and instability in Ethiopia and assess implications for UK response. The JACS continues to be used to inform regular monitoring of conflict and stability risks and to guide a cross-government approach to support peace and stability in Ethiopia.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the national security implications of the ownership of UK critical infrastructure by CK Hutchison, in the light of recent reports that Hong Kong authorities intervened in the company's overseas divestment decisions with regard to sale of ports on the Panama Canal.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government works closely with CNI operators, alongside our National Technical Authorities and industry partners, to ensure resilience and preparedness to the broad and diverse range of threats and risks the UK faces.

As is longstanding practice, the Government does not generally comment on individual investors or investments in the national security context.

Found: Yours, Lord Alton of Liverpool Sarah Owen MP Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Found: Yours, Lord Alton of Liverpool Sarah Owen MP Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Found: Security Minister 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office The Lord Alton of Liverpool

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Found: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Current membership House of Lords Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench; Life peer) (Chair) Lord Dholakia

Found: Current membership House of Lords Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench; Life peer) (Chair) Lord Dholakia

Found: Current membership House of Lords Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench; Life peer) (Chair) Lord Dholakia

Found: Murray Director Threat Leadership National Crime Agency Alexander.Murray@nca.gov.uk Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights 5 JCHR, ‘Accountability for Daesh

Found: and the regulation of AI Wednesday 2 July 2025 2.25 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Sudan: Armed Conflict 8 Jul 2025 | HL8679 Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool To ask His Majesty's

Out of nearly 12 million children living in England, over 400,000 are in the social care system at any one time.[1] Out of these, nearly 84,000 children in England are” in care” (i.e. being looked after by local authorities).[2] Across the UK, it is estimated that 107,000 children are in care.[3]  

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