Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they intend to make to the government of Bangladesh concerning the increase of freedom of religion violations experienced by minority groups.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). In November 2024, The Minister for the Indo-Pacific visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus who has been vocal about support for minorities. We are providing up to £27 million under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption, and mitigating tensions that lead to any violence. We are supporting the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, who are working with Bangladesh's Interim Government to produce credible independent data on incidents of religious violence.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria regarding the abduction of Fr Cornelius Manzak Damulak in Abuja on 6 February; and what assessment they have made of the wider impact of kidnappings on religious communities in Nigeria.

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

While the UK Government condemns all violence, including kidnaps, across Nigeria we do not routinely engage on instances of non-UK citizens being kidnapped as this is a matter for the Nigerian authorities. Kidnapping for ransom is sadly a widespread practice in Nigeria, particularly in the North-West where banditry is prevalent. Kidnappings often have financial rather than religious motives and communities of all religions and beliefs are vulnerable. With assistance from the UK National Crime Agency, a Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAKFC) has been established to support cooperation between Nigeria's security and justice agencies. This will both reduce the harm to victims and hold those responsible to account.

Found: THE EARL OF EFFINGHAM LORD MOYLAN 63_ After Clause 27, insert the following new Clause— “Assessment