Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Human Rights Watch that Islamic State has removed Yezidi boys and made them convert to Islam and is holding captive civilians from other religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians and Shia Shabaks and Turkmen.

The humanitarian reports from Iraq and elsewhere in the region are deeply concerning. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups continue to commit atrocities against Muslims, Christians, Yezidis, Turkmen and other communities throughout the areas under their control. We condemn any and all violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief.

We are working closely with our international coalition partners to assist and protect civilians. We have been at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the crisis in the region, delivering through a range of channels including air drops. We are also providing military equipment and training to support the Kurdistan Regional Government fighting against ISIL.

We continue to encourage the new Iraqi government to ensure the protection of all citizens, to promote human rights and reassert the rule of law.