Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of, and freedom of religion for, Christians in Syria.

We remain deeply troubled about the severity and scale of violations and abuses of freedom of religion and belief in many parts of the world, including Syria. We understand that Christians in Syria are subject to daily insecurities, including arbitrary arrest, forced disappearance and conscription. Our assessment is that, like all Syrians and religious or belief groups, Christians also face threats from militias and warlords who act with impunity, and they face acute economic hardships and lack of services. The UK will continue to call for a political settlement that protects the rights of all minorities, including Christians and continue to hold the Asad regime to account.