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Written question asked by Baroness Helic (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 April 2026. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Israel: Prisons

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 19 December 2025 (HL12164), what progress they have made in securing unfettered and regular access for the International Committee of the Red Cross to detention facilities; what steps they have taken to this end; and what response has been received from the government of Israel.

Answer

The UK is deeply concerned by reports of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees by Israeli forces, including reports of sexual violence, and we have raised this issue with the Israeli government. The UK has been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that such allegations must be thoroughly investigated.

The UK supports the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the only organisation with the mandate, independence, and expertise to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees. Regular access to detainees is essential for the ICRC to fulfil its role, as enshrined in the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The UK continues to call on the Government of Israel to grant the ICRC immediate and unrestricted access to all detention facilities.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL16417
Session
2024-26
Related items
Israel: Prisons
Friday, 19 December 2025
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Prisons International Red Cross Israel
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk