Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the system for postal voting.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to strengthening the resilience of our electoral processes, including the postal voting system.

In its 2025 policy paper, here (17/07/2025), the Government set out a package of proposals intended to improve the overall resilience and responsiveness of postal voting following an extensive review. These include moving the postal vote application, and candidate nomination deadlines earlier in the election timetable. This will provide more time for the production, distribution and return of postal votes, benefitting both domestic and overseas postal voters. This package of measures is now being delivered as part of the Representation of the People Bill.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the structural integrity of the electoral process and the equal political rights of citizens in Zambia in view of the forthcoming presidential election on 13 August 2026.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government continues to engage closely with Zambia as a valued partner and to monitor the electoral environment ahead of the presidential election on 13 August 2026. We engage regularly with the Government of Zambia and other stakeholders to encourage transparent and inclusive elections, respect for political rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they have provided to bolster institutional resilience to protect political pluralism in Zambia.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government continues to engage closely with Zambia as a valued partner and to monitor the electoral environment ahead of the presidential election on 13 August 2026. We engage regularly with the Government of Zambia and other stakeholders to encourage transparent and inclusive elections, respect for political rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the electoral environment in Zambia ahead of the forthcoming presidential election on 13 August 2026.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government continues to engage closely with Zambia as a valued partner and to monitor the electoral environment ahead of the presidential election on 13 August 2026. We engage regularly with the Government of Zambia and other stakeholders to encourage transparent and inclusive elections, respect for political rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what initiatives they are currently leading or co-leading to prevent conflict-related sexual violence internationally.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on preventing sexual violence in conflict since the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative in 2012.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measurable outcomes have resulted from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative since the publication of the House of Lords Select Committee on Sexual Violence report, Sexual Violence in Conflict: A War Crime, published in April 2016.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress in implementing the recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee on Sexual Violence report, Sexual Violence in Conflict: A War Crime, published in April 2016.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they use to assess the effectiveness of the UK's work on preventing conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they assess the UK's current leadership role in international efforts to prevent conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I am unable to comment on the progress made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under previous administrations, or on their responses to the recommendations of select committees ten years ago.

However, I can assure the Noble Lord that this current Government takes issues around conflict-related sexual violence extremely seriously, and - for the first time, under the current Foreign Secretary - the FCDO has made protecting the rights and safety of women and girls one of the six priorities that is driving work across the Department.

Alongside our continuing work to prevent sexual violence in conflict and support survivors, including as penholder of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Foreign Secretary has recently launched the International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and will be hosting a global summit on the issue in the UK next year.

We also continue to work through the UK-founded International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, of which the UK is vice-chair this year, to rally further support for tackling the silence and stigma faced by survivors of sexual violence, including the women and girls in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere who have faced the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they support the further development of international legal standards relating to the protection of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is prohibited under international law and can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. The Government considers that existing international legal frameworks provide an important basis for preventing and responding to CRSV, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and tackling impunity. The UK therefore supports efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture, including through negotiations towards a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The UK has played an active role in these discussions and engaged survivors and civil society to help ensure future developments reflect survivor-centred approaches and strengthen accountability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what gaps, if any, they have identified in existing international legal frameworks relating to accountability for conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is prohibited under international law and can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. The Government considers that existing international legal frameworks provide an important basis for preventing and responding to CRSV, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and tackling impunity. The UK therefore supports efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture, including through negotiations towards a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The UK has played an active role in these discussions and engaged survivors and civil society to help ensure future developments reflect survivor-centred approaches and strengthen accountability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what aspects of international law relating to conflict-related sexual violence they consider would benefit from further clarification, development or strengthening.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is prohibited under international law and can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. The Government considers that existing international legal frameworks provide an important basis for preventing and responding to CRSV, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and tackling impunity. The UK therefore supports efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture, including through negotiations towards a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The UK has played an active role in these discussions and engaged survivors and civil society to help ensure future developments reflect survivor-centred approaches and strengthen accountability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what lessons they have learned from recent conflicts regarding the adequacy of existing international legal frameworks in addressing conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is prohibited under international law and can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. The Government considers that existing international legal frameworks provide an important basis for preventing and responding to CRSV, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and tackling impunity. The UK therefore supports efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture, including through negotiations towards a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The UK has played an active role in these discussions and engaged survivors and civil society to help ensure future developments reflect survivor-centred approaches and strengthen accountability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what contribution the United Kingdom is making to international discussions on the future development of international law relating to conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is prohibited under international law and can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. The Government considers that existing international legal frameworks provide an important basis for preventing and responding to CRSV, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and tackling impunity. The UK therefore supports efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture, including through negotiations towards a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The UK has played an active role in these discussions and engaged survivors and civil society to help ensure future developments reflect survivor-centred approaches and strengthen accountability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of international sanctions regimes in addressing conflict-related sexual violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is prohibited under international law and can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. The Government considers that existing international legal frameworks provide an important basis for preventing and responding to CRSV, but challenges remain in ensuring accountability and tackling impunity. The UK therefore supports efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture, including through negotiations towards a future Crimes Against Humanity Convention. The UK has played an active role in these discussions and engaged survivors and civil society to help ensure future developments reflect survivor-centred approaches and strengthen accountability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation in the report Addressing the Crisis of Medical Care in Armed Conflict, published by Chatham House in June, that aspects of international humanitarian law relating to medical care in armed conflict would benefit from further clarification and development.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government has read and noted the findings of the Chatham House report, and we remain firmly committed to upholding and promoting the clear protections set out in International humanitarian law (IHL) for the wounded and sick during armed conflict, as well as medical personnel and facilities.

We also support international efforts to strengthen the implementation of IHL and to address challenges relating to the protection of healthcare in conflict. That includes:

- Participating in the International Committee of the Red Cross' Global Initiative to galvanise global commitment to IHL, by helping to shape international discussions around the Initiative, including in its work on protection of hospitals;

- Promoting the Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at Domestic Level (2024) - a comprehensive overview of the UK's IHL frameworks, including on the protection of civilian infrastructure - which provides practical support to other states seeking to improve their own IHL compliance; and

- Engaging actively with partners to support relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this area, and using our position at the United Nations and other fora to call out IHL violations, support independent investigations where appropriate, and press for those responsible to be held to account in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether international humanitarian law provides sufficient clarity on what constitutes a hostile act by a wounded or sick person receiving medical treatment.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government has read and noted the findings of the Chatham House report, and we remain firmly committed to upholding and promoting the clear protections set out in International humanitarian law (IHL) for the wounded and sick during armed conflict, as well as medical personnel and facilities.

We also support international efforts to strengthen the implementation of IHL and to address challenges relating to the protection of healthcare in conflict. That includes:

- Participating in the International Committee of the Red Cross' Global Initiative to galvanise global commitment to IHL, by helping to shape international discussions around the Initiative, including in its work on protection of hospitals;

- Promoting the Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at Domestic Level (2024) - a comprehensive overview of the UK's IHL frameworks, including on the protection of civilian infrastructure - which provides practical support to other states seeking to improve their own IHL compliance; and

- Engaging actively with partners to support relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this area, and using our position at the United Nations and other fora to call out IHL violations, support independent investigations where appropriate, and press for those responsible to be held to account in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether international humanitarian law provides sufficient clarity regarding the responsibilities of armed forces towards civilian casualties in areas under their effective control.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government has read and noted the findings of the Chatham House report, and we remain firmly committed to upholding and promoting the clear protections set out in International humanitarian law (IHL) for the wounded and sick during armed conflict, as well as medical personnel and facilities.

We also support international efforts to strengthen the implementation of IHL and to address challenges relating to the protection of healthcare in conflict. That includes:

- Participating in the International Committee of the Red Cross' Global Initiative to galvanise global commitment to IHL, by helping to shape international discussions around the Initiative, including in its work on protection of hospitals;

- Promoting the Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at Domestic Level (2024) - a comprehensive overview of the UK's IHL frameworks, including on the protection of civilian infrastructure - which provides practical support to other states seeking to improve their own IHL compliance; and

- Engaging actively with partners to support relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this area, and using our position at the United Nations and other fora to call out IHL violations, support independent investigations where appropriate, and press for those responsible to be held to account in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether international humanitarian law provides sufficient clarity on the circumstances in which healthcare facilities lose protected status during armed conflict.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government has read and noted the findings of the Chatham House report, and we remain firmly committed to upholding and promoting the clear protections set out in International humanitarian law (IHL) for the wounded and sick during armed conflict, as well as medical personnel and facilities.

We also support international efforts to strengthen the implementation of IHL and to address challenges relating to the protection of healthcare in conflict. That includes:

- Participating in the International Committee of the Red Cross' Global Initiative to galvanise global commitment to IHL, by helping to shape international discussions around the Initiative, including in its work on protection of hospitals;

- Promoting the Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at Domestic Level (2024) - a comprehensive overview of the UK's IHL frameworks, including on the protection of civilian infrastructure - which provides practical support to other states seeking to improve their own IHL compliance; and

- Engaging actively with partners to support relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this area, and using our position at the United Nations and other fora to call out IHL violations, support independent investigations where appropriate, and press for those responsible to be held to account in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what contributions they are making to international discussions on the future clarification, development and strengthening of international humanitarian law relating to medical care in armed conflict.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government has read and noted the findings of the Chatham House report, and we remain firmly committed to upholding and promoting the clear protections set out in International humanitarian law (IHL) for the wounded and sick during armed conflict, as well as medical personnel and facilities.

We also support international efforts to strengthen the implementation of IHL and to address challenges relating to the protection of healthcare in conflict. That includes:

- Participating in the International Committee of the Red Cross' Global Initiative to galvanise global commitment to IHL, by helping to shape international discussions around the Initiative, including in its work on protection of hospitals;

- Promoting the Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at Domestic Level (2024) - a comprehensive overview of the UK's IHL frameworks, including on the protection of civilian infrastructure - which provides practical support to other states seeking to improve their own IHL compliance; and

- Engaging actively with partners to support relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this area, and using our position at the United Nations and other fora to call out IHL violations, support independent investigations where appropriate, and press for those responsible to be held to account in accordance with international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings and recommendations of Addressing the Crisis of Medical Care in Armed Conflict, published by Chatham House in June, on the clarification and development of international humanitarian law.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government has read and noted the findings of the Chatham House report, and we remain firmly committed to upholding and promoting the clear protections set out in International humanitarian law (IHL) for the wounded and sick during armed conflict, as well as medical personnel and facilities.

We also support international efforts to strengthen the implementation of IHL and to address challenges relating to the protection of healthcare in conflict. That includes:

- Participating in the International Committee of the Red Cross' Global Initiative to galvanise global commitment to IHL, by helping to shape international discussions around the Initiative, including in its work on protection of hospitals;

- Promoting the Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at Domestic Level (2024) - a comprehensive overview of the UK's IHL frameworks, including on the protection of civilian infrastructure - which provides practical support to other states seeking to improve their own IHL compliance; and

- Engaging actively with partners to support relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions in this area, and using our position at the United Nations and other fora to call out IHL violations, support independent investigations where appropriate, and press for those responsible to be held to account in accordance with international law.