Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq concerning reports of land disputes and demographic change affecting Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of concerns regarding land disputes, displacement and demographic change affecting Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains. We continue to engage Iraqi authorities on the importance of protecting the rights of all communities in line with the Iraqi Constitution and international human rights obligations.
The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all and supports efforts to ensure that Christians and other religious minorities can continue to live safely and securely in their historic communities. Through our diplomatic engagement in Baghdad and Erbil, we have raised the importance of FoRB, including those of Christians, with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. We also meet with minority communities, visit their local areas, and support civil society organisations advocating for the rights of minority groups.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq on protecting the rights and long-term presence of Christians and other religious minorities in the region.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of concerns regarding land disputes, displacement and demographic change affecting Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains. We continue to engage Iraqi authorities on the importance of protecting the rights of all communities in line with the Iraqi Constitution and international human rights obligations.
The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all and supports efforts to ensure that Christians and other religious minorities can continue to live safely and securely in their historic communities. Through our diplomatic engagement in Baghdad and Erbil, we have raised the importance of FoRB, including those of Christians, with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. We also meet with minority communities, visit their local areas, and support civil society organisations advocating for the rights of minority groups.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the guidance on the Down Syndrome Act 2022 will be published; and what steps they have taken to protect the legal rights of those with Down syndrome until the publication of the guidance.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The consultation on the draft statutory guidance under the Down Syndrome Act 2022 closed on 30 March 2026. The Government is required to carefully consider the responses received to inform the final guidance to be published.
In the meantime, relevant authorities remain bound by existing legal duties. The act brings together existing statutory requirements and guidance that relevant authorities must and/or should already comply with to support people with Down syndrome.
Under the Equality Act 2010, health and social care organisations must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not disadvantaged and must have due to regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty when exercising their functions. NHS England statutory guidance, published on 9 May 2023, also states that every integrated care board (ICB) should identify a board member to lead on supporting the ICB to perform its functions effectively in the interest of people with Down syndrome.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of India regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, and in particular about the impact the Bill would have on poor and vulnerable citizens in India, and those who depend on charity from overseas.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK is aware that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have faced significant difficulties due to the application of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, and that some have had applications to renew their foreign funding licenses rejected. We are continuing to monitor these developments and assessing their impact on UK Government-funded programmes and the work of British NGOs in India. However, it will remain for the Government of India to determine its own legislative and regulatory framework.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to facilitate (1) humanitarian aid delivery, and (2) the safe passage of civilians, in South Kivu's Hauts Plateaux in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK Government recognises that the humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is critical and we call on all parties to fully comply with International Humanitarian Law, including ensuring the protection of civilians and guaranteeing safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access. Last year, we provided £103 million in humanitarian and peacebuilding funding to eastern DRC and the wider region. In March, along with the Minister for Africa, I met with humanitarian organisations delivering UK-funded assistance and announced an additional £7.3 million in support for communities affected by the escalating conflict.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and what representations they have made to the governments of the DRC and Rwanda regarding commitments to implementing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
In February 2025, the UK introduced policy measures on Rwanda in response to developments in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UK continues to encourage all parties to meaningfully engage with peace processes and implement agreed commitments. I delivered this message during my visits to Kigali in October 2025, and to the Democratic Republic of Congo in March of this year. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations as to do so would risk weakening their impact.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to imposing sanctions on the Rwandan army and key military officials for supporting, training and fighting alongside the March 23 Movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
In February 2025, the UK introduced policy measures on Rwanda in response to developments in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UK continues to encourage all parties to meaningfully engage with peace processes and implement agreed commitments. I delivered this message during my visits to Kigali in October 2025, and to the Democratic Republic of Congo in March of this year. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations as to do so would risk weakening their impact.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of India regarding freedom of religion or belief in that country, and what other steps they are taking to support freedom of religion or belief there.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Government remains committed to promoting and protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally, and we continue to support civil society organisations and faith leaders who work to foster tolerance and inclusion. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy on FoRB, David Smith MP, plays an important role in championing religious freedom globally. We continue to monitor reports of religiously motivated violence and discrimination and raise concerns where appropriate, encouraging adherence to constitutional and international human rights commitments.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure human rights provisions on freedom of religion or belief have been included in the Free Trade Agreement with India.
Answered by Lord Stockwood
The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. Having secure and growing trading relationships can increase UK influence and help us to have open conversations with partners on a range of issues, including human rights.
Trade agreements are just one lever in our trade policy toolkit and are generally not the most effective mechanism for promoting human rights.
The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India track human rights across the country. We engage Indian stakeholders on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with the European Union about the Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains that the EU signed with the government of Rwanda on 19 February 2024.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK has discussed the Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains with the EU at official level. Illicit mining remains a problem and supports the business models of armed groups. As well as being a barrier to economic growth, this has appalling humanitarian consequences. The UK supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which aims to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector. This is an issue that the UK regularly raises in multilateral fora.