Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 3 April (HL5685), what assessment they have made of the report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, published on 18 July 2024; and of its conclusion that sexual assaults committed by parties to an armed conflict will almost always constitute torture.

The UK Government notes the report and welcomes all contributions to international discussions on strengthening survivor-centred accountability for conflict-related sexual violence. As set out in the answer to HL5685, conflict-related sexual violence is prohibited under international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international criminal law. Some forms of conflict-related sexual violence, such as rape, may also constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Government continues to work with partners to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence and strengthen justice for survivors.