Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for re-classifying sexual violence in conflict offences under international law to be prosecuted under existing torture laws.

The UK Government is committed to strengthening justice for all survivors and victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and holding perpetrators to account. CRSV is prohibited under international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international criminal law. Some forms of CRSV, such as rape, can also be classified as torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Torture is defined and prohibited by multiple human rights treaties. We continue to work closely with partners to eradicate the use of torture and end all forms of CRSV.