Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the levels of violence perpetrated against the Hazara Muslim community in Afghanistan and need to prioritise members of that community's safe passage out of that country to the UK.

Hazara people, and other ethnic and religious minorities, have long faced attacks and discrimination in Afghanistan. We are monitoring the situation closely, including concerning reports of targeted killings and forced displacement in recent months. FCDO officials regularly raise human rights, including the rights of minority groups, in discussions with the Taliban, and urge them to uphold the rights of all Afghans. The Government has also made clear our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, including through statements from the UN Security Council, the G7 and women foreign ministers.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) prioritises those who have assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan and vulnerable people, including members of minority groups at risk. Since the end of Op Pitting, the Government has supported over 4,600 individuals to leave Afghanistan. We will continue to work to ensure those still in Afghanistan are able to depart the country safely.