Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 6 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 February 2024. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 February 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Iraq: Religious Freedom

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the most significant factors affecting freedom of religion or belief under the (a) federal Government of Iraq and (b) Kurdistan Regional Government.

Answer: Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is a longstanding priority for the UK and we are firmly committed to the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, including the Kurdistan region. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, held a roundtable with religious leaders during his visit to Iraq in February 2023, in which he heard from them directly about factors affecting their communities, including militia presence, the legacy of conflict, exclusion and sectarianism and lack of legal protection. We frequently raise these with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government, calling for greater protection and deeper inclusion in national and local government.

Secondary information