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 protect (a) women, (b) religious minorities and (c) other vulnerable groups in (i) Iraq and (ii) Syria.

We are committed to the safety and security of all civilians, including vulnerable groups in Iraq and Syria. The UK led the UN Security Council to establish the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD). We also advocated for the passing of the Iraqi Yazidi Survivors Law. The UK provides specialised protection services, including for survivors of Gender Based Violence, psycho-social support and sexual and reproductive health services.

Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is a longstanding priority for the UK and we are firmly committed to the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria.