Written question asked by Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Chris Elmore (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Religious Freedom

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prioritise issues concerning freedom of religion or belief in future Human Rights and Democracy Reports.

Answer: The UK recognises that women and girls from religious or belief minority communities can suffer disproportionally because of both their gender and faith- as addressed, for example, in the answer provided on 24 June in response to Question 9814 on the treatment of women from religious minorities in Afghanistan - and we routinely take these factors into account when drawing up our programmes to uphold human rights in different countries. The Department's next report on human rights will be published later this year, covering the period since the current Government came to office, including our work on freedom of religion or belief.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 14916
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Afghanistan: Women
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Religious freedom
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk