Written question asked by Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 30 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2025. It was answered by Chris Elmore (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Sub-saharan Africa: Religious Freedom

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on strengthening protections for freedom of religion or belief in sub-Saharan Africa.

Answer: The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, both in sub-Saharan Africa and across the world. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

Secondary information