Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to review the UK's funding for Egypt's security bodies via the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund in light of (a) the continued refusal to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah and other political prisoners in Egypt and (b) other human rights violations in that country.

The Conflict, Stability and Security (CSSF) Fund programme in Egypt promotes the participation of women and girls, quality and accessible education for all, inclusive governance, and support to refugees. It does not provide funding to the Egyptian security services. The CSSF Portfolio Board regularly reviews risk across all countries in which we have a programme. Human rights issues are considered as part of this and in this context, the Board discussed the situation in several countries, including Egypt, at the last board meeting in October. Overseas Security and Justice Assessments (OSJAs) are not published.

Egypt is a human rights priority country for the UK. Our strong bilateral relationship allows us to raise human rights issues frankly with the Egyptian government, both in private and public. The Prime Minister met with Egyptian President Sisi on 7 November to register his concern for Mr. Adb El-Fattah's welfare and expectation the case will be resolved quickly. The UK also issued a statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September calling on Egypt to ensure independent civil society, human rights defenders and media are able to operate freely.