Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the targeting of Hazara Muslims in Afghanistan and the risk of possible genocide.

FCDO officials regularly press the Taliban to protect religious and ethnic minorities. We are working with international partners to ensure credible monitoring to hold to account those responsible for human rights abuses. On 7 October 2022, we co-sponsored a Human Rights Council resolution to extend the UN Special Rapporteur's mandate. His latest report to the Human Rights Council included an assessment of the situation for Hazara communities. FCDO ministers and officials regularly engage with Hazara representatives who provide vital insight on the situation. Most recently, on 8 December 2022, I [Lord Ahmad] met with representatives from Hazara community groups.