Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to appoint a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, in line with recommendation 6 of the ‘Truro' Review of 2019.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government will champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. Envoy roles will be decided upon in due course. In the meantime, we will use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the FCDO, to promote and protect FoRB around the world.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Iraq regarding the subversion of regional government by Iranian-backed militia in the Ninevah Plains and the impact of this on the stability of the region and on the safety of the Christian community there.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

It is vital that the Government of Iraq keep Iraqi militia groups in line and ensure democracy is adhered to. We are closely monitoring the impact of these developments on the safety of Nineveh's Christian community.

The UK is firmly committed to protecting the Christian community, and other ethnic and religious minorities, and are strong advocates of greater Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Iraq. We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on this issue, in particular the importance that minorities are included in national and local government as well as reconciliation efforts.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to work within international forums to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations against the Banyamulenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK continues to raise concerns about human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and condemns all forms of hate speech and violence committed against all individuals and communities in DRC. We continue to lobby DRC to tackle the drivers of conflict, introduce human rights reforms and combat impunity. The UK also continues to push for the imposition of sanctions through the UN against individuals who have committed human rights abuses. Given the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping force, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from South Kivu, we continue to encourage DRC to ensure suitable plans are in place regarding protection of civilians, including those in particularly vulnerable communities.

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