Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recent killing of Imam Muhsin Hendricks in South Africa; and whether he has had discussions with his international counterparts on the protection of (a) religious and (b) LGBTQ+ communities from targeted violence.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The tragic murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks on 15 February strengthens our resolve to continue implementing our policies on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and LGBT+ rights to protect, support and promote individual human rights for all. The UK has been, and will continue to be, a vocal and visible supporter of LGBT+ rights and FoRB in South Africa. The Minister for Africa expressed publicly the UK's sadness at the death of Imam Hendricks on 19 February and acknowledged his role as a courageous spokesperson for LGBT+ rights and gender equality in South Africa.

Globally, we remain firmly committed to working with our international partners to promote tolerance and mutual respect in relation to FoRB and LGBT+ rights through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding. For example, the joint Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and private philanthropy Equal, Safe and Free Fund is supporting grassroots LGBT+ organisations across Africa, and the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, will attend the UN Human Rights Council 58th session in Geneva to discuss FoRB with international partners in the coming weeks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the joint letter of 31 July 2024 issued by 18 United Nations Special Mechanisms, reference AL IRN 14/2024, on the treatment of the Baha’i community in Iran.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK condemns Iran's restrictions against Freedom of Religion or Belief. Baha'is face particularly acute repression by the authorities in Iran, which includes but is not limited to unfair arrest, detention, and lengthy prison sentences. We are aware of the UN Special Rapporteurs' joint letter - the increased targeting of Baha'i women is an alarming escalation. We are committed to working with international partners to hold Iran to account for its repression of the Baha'is, and other religious minorities, including at the UN Third Committee. The UK raised ongoing discrimination against minority groups during Iran's Universal Period Review on 24 January.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the security situation for the Shia Muslim community in Parachinar.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Promoting the rights and safety of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I raised the importance of religious tolerance and harmony, as well as the impact of rising extremism on vulnerable groups, when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November. The British High Commission continues to raise the security situation for Shia Muslims in Parachinar at the highest levels. UK programmes are also promoting the rights of religious minorities, including in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our Aawaz II programme promotes interfaith harmony by convening influential community and faith leaders and minority representatives to resolve local issues, particularly as religious tensions arise.

Ending the sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows

Found: Tŷ William Morgan House Cardiff | Caerdydd CF10 1EP www.gov.uk/wales www.gov.uk/cymru Ruth Jones

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); Ann Davies; Ben Lake; Llinos Medi; Andrew Ranger

Found: Ruth Jones made representations.

Found: Darling Anneliese Midgley Liz Jarvis Susan Murray Lisa Smart Monica Harding Sarah Owen Ruth Jones

Found: Steve Darling Anneliese Midgley Liz Jarvis Susan Murray Lisa Smart Monica Harding Sarah Owen Ruth Jones

Found: Steve Darling Anneliese Midgley Liz Jarvis Susan Murray Lisa Smart Monica Harding Sarah Owen Ruth Jones

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Wednesday 5 March 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith Naz Shah Rachael Maskell Antonia Bance Ruth Jones

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 4 March 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith Naz Shah Rachael Maskell Antonia Bance Ruth Jones

Found: STAGE Wednesday 26 February 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith Naz Shah Rachael Maskell Antonia Bance Ruth Jones

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 25 February 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith Naz Shah Rachael Maskell Antonia Bance Ruth Jones

Submit Evidence (by 14 Apr 2025)

Wales has a long tradition of farming, and the sector is integral to the Welsh economy. In 2022, agriculture, fishing and forestry accounted for 1.8% of total employment in Wales and over 90% of the land area of Wales is utilised for farming. Our predecessor Committee reported that in 2020, the gross output of agriculture in Wales was worth £1.7 billion to the Welsh economy, with agriculture comprising 1% of the total Gross Value Added for Wales.