Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will hold discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on the effectiveness of the Safe Schools Initiative for supporting the education of (a) girls, (b) religious minorities and (c) other children in conflict-affected areas of northern Nigeria.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

Special Envoy for Girls Education, Helen Grant MP, will meet the Nigerian Education Minister on May 20 to discuss Nigeria's upcoming programme of education reform. The UK and Nigeria are signatories of the Safe School Declaration which commits governments to protect education from violence. The UK supports the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative in Nigeria through its Education in Emergencies and Protracted Crises (EiEPC) programme. This provides assistance to children affected by conflict in Borno and Yobe states, allowing them to learn foundational skills, increase their resilience and strengthen systems which support formal and non-formal education during emergencies.

Found: The Joint Committee on Human Rights read with interest the private members bill introduced by Fiona Bruce

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made recent representations to the government of Nigeria in relation to (1) the ongoing detention of Mubarak Bala, President of the Nigerian Humanist Association; and (2) securing his unconditional and immediate release.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

The UK Government is aware that the Court of Appeal in Kano has reduced the sentence of Mubarak Bala, from 24 years to five. The UK Government continues to raise Mr Bala's case with the Nigerian authorities. In August 2023, the British High Commissioner handed over a letter from Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, on Mubarak Bala's case, to the Kano State Governor, and in January 2024, FCDO officials raised the case again with the Deputy Kano State governor. In the UK, officials remain in communication with Humanists UK and received an update on Mr Bala's case from them on 16 May. The right of individuals to express opinions, including expressing their non-belief, is essential to a free and open society. Dialogue on human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief, will remain an important part of the UK's partnership with Nigeria.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps his Department has taken to help promote freedom of religious belief for (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities in Iran.

Answered by David Rutley

The UK condemns the continued repression of Christians and other religious minorities in Iran. At the 55th Human Rights Council, we issued a statement highlighting the discrimination faced by Christians on a daily basis, whether in accessing education, jobs, or places of worship. We co-sponsored the Iran Human Rights Resolution at UNGA 78, calling for Iran to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. We continue to promote the rights of religious minorities in Iran, including through the Special Envoy on FoRB Fiona Bruce MP.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has made representations to his Algerian counterpart on the imprisonment of Pastor Youssef Ourahamane.

Answered by David Rutley

We are aware of the case of Pastor Youssef Ourahamane, and are disappointed to hear of his sentencing. We will seek to raise the case at the soonest opportunity with the Algerian authorities. The British Embassy Algiers raises issues of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) more broadly and remains in contact with religious minorities including the Protestant Church of Algeria. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP, raised the ability of religious minorities to freely practice their faith with the Algerian authorities during her visit to Algiers in September 2022. Minister for North Africa, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, met the Minister of Religious Affairs in June 2022 to discuss freedom of religion or belief.

Found: that this House has considered religious persecution and the World Watch List 2024 Lead Member: Fiona Bruce

Found: It was introduced by Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Found: Millar Sir Robert Goodwill Lia Nici Dehenna Davison Sir David Evennett Sir Paul Beresford Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: Millar Sir Robert Goodwill Lia Nici Dehenna Davison Sir David Evennett Sir Paul Beresford Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: Harrison Sir Robert Goodwill Lia Nici Dehenna Davison Sir David Evennett Sir Paul Beresford Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: ( HL Bill 81) 2 Overview of the Bill 1 This is a Presentation Bill, introduced by the Hon Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: Danny Kruger Damian Green George Galloway Tim Farron Sir Desmond Swayne Chris Green Fiona Bruce

Found: Braverman Sir Peter Bottomley Andrew Lewer Sally-Ann Hart Bob Blackman Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg Fiona Bruce

Found: Braverman Sir Peter Bottomley Andrew Lewer Sally-Ann Hart Bob Blackman Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg Fiona Bruce

Found: Braverman Sir Peter Bottomley Andrew Lewer Sally-Ann Hart Bob Blackman Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg Fiona Bruce

Found: It was introduced by Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Found: presentation days for BBC One £178,000 - £184,999 Question Time BBC News at Six and BBC News at Ten Fiona Bruce

Found: – NDA (Secretariat) • David Alexander – Dounreay Stakeholder Group • Laura Hogg - NDA • Fiona Bruce

Found: • Sam Long – Decom Mission – CEO • Heather Barton – NDA Cross -Industry Learning Manager • Fiona Bruce