Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation of (a) women, (b) journalists, (c) the LGBT community and (d) religious minorities in the Gambia.

The UK remains concerned about the human rights situation in The Gambia. Since July The Gambia has taken some steps to address human rights concerns, including banning female genital mutilation and the dismissal of cases against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-sexual community by the Gambian courts. However, more needs to be done. We continue to monitor the situation closely and press the Gambian government for improved respect for human rights.