Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to respond to (a) attacks on (i) Christian communities, (ii) humanitarian access and (iii) religious freedom and (b) violence in Aleppo.

The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including minorities, publicly and in our engagement with regional and international partners. We are closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities, including Christians.

No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.

We are working closely with the UN and other humanitarian partners to understand any barriers to access. We continue to call on all parties to support humanitarian access, including for humanitarian workers, in all regions of Syria.

In Aleppo, we are urging all parties to refrain from activity that will lead to further loss of civilian life, or damage to civilian infrastructure, to avoid further destabilisation and civilian suffering in the region.