Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what specific legal and judicial expertise they are funding to support legislative changes aimed at protecting freedom of religion or belief in countries with blasphemy laws.

The Government is deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws that undermine human rights including freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and freedom of expression. The UK regularly raises FoRB issues in multilateral fora and our important bilateral work.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office continues to work with countries (or governments) that request support on legislative reform through our programme funding, including the John Bunyan Fund, a designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects, and the Rule of Law Expertise (ROLE UK) programme.

Together with our partners, including the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute and the UK legal sector, we are supporting efforts across seven countries in this area, including on increasing knowledge on international standards and protections through existing legislation.