This remains an ongoing priority for the UK, and we continue to support the Nigerian authorities in tackling violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025 (HLWS1104).

The State Visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As part of the programme, an interfaith serial, attended by President Tinubu and His Majesty the King, was hosted at Vicars Hall in Windsor, demonstrating the shared UK and Nigerian commitment to fostering constructive interfaith dialogue. The UK condemns violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria. On democratic standards and the 2027 elections, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 16th March 2026 in response to Question 118699, reproduced below:

The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair and credible Presidential election in 2027. The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy.

Our Embassy in Harare continues to monitor closely reports of harassment of individuals and groups expressing opposition to proposed changes to the Constitution. Officials remain in contact with the Government of Zimbabwe, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as part of our ongoing engagement on these matters. Amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to determine. At the same time, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are fundamental components of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe should be able to operate without harassment. We underline the importance of transparent, inclusive and lawful processes, and of ensuring that political space remains open and protected.

I refer the Noble Lord to my statement on Sudan on 19 November, Official Report, vol. 850, cols. 884-887 (https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-11-19/debates/AF154555-6D0E-4F4A-B2DF-A9F4CB2F391B/GazaAndSudan), and my remarks in the House of Lords debate on 27 November, Official Report, vol. 850, cols. 1465-1468 (https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-11-27/debates/81C37BE5-A832-4CC1-A83A-A73FD1937E8C/Sudan). I will provide further updates to the House in due course, including on international efforts to end the fighting, and on the progress we are making to reach all the people and regions currently in desperate need of humanitarian support.

I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement that I made to the House on 27 November (UIN HLWS1104).

I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement that I made to the House on 27 November (UIN HLWS1104).

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I provided on 24 November to Question HL11756.

The Mass Atrocity Hub is now part of The Conflict and Atrocity Prevention Department, which has been working closely with the Africa Directorate on Sudan since April 2023. Support has included assessing the risk of atrocities in Sudan, providing analytical capabilities to collect, verify and preserve open-source data relating to potential atrocity crimes and violations of international humanitarian law, as well as technical advisory support on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's atrocity prevention and response workstreams.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave in response to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians, heard in the House of Lords on 4 November.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave in response to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians, heard in the House of Lords on 4 November.

We were deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Druze and Bedouin militias in southern Syria in July, and welcomed the ceasefire brokered by the US. The former Foreign Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister al Shaibani on 18 July to raise our concerns about events in Suwayda and to press the Syrian Government to conduct a full investigation into the crimes committed. We welcome the announcement on 31 July of the formation of a committee to hold a full investigation into the violence. When the former Foreign Secretary Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, met the Foreign Minister and Justice Minister in Damascus on 27 August, he underlined the importance of accountability, including holding to account the government's own forces. We continue to advocate for an inclusive political transition and the protection of rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background.

During the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Damascus he underlined the importance of an inclusive political transition and protecting the rights of all Syrians, and offered UK support in achieving this. Further to the outbreak of violence in southern Syria, he spoke to Syria's Foreign Minister, on 18 July, to express our concerns about the latest escalation and the need for a full investigation into these crimes. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the importance of improving their response to sectarian violence, protecting the rights of all Syrians, and holding all those responsible to account.

We are deeply concerned by the recent violence between different groups in southern Syria. We have been working closely with international partners to press for de-escalation and for all sides to engage in dialogue. We continue to call on Israel to respect Syria's territorial integrity, and uphold their obligations to peace, stability and security under international law. As the Foreign Secretary made clear during his call with Israel's Foreign Minister on 21 July, Israel's attacks in Damascus risk destabilising Syria. We reiterate that respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for both Syrian security and that of its neighbours. The only path to a better future for Syria is through an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political process, that respects the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnic or religious background.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

There is detailed published guidance for all staff working in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs). Detention Services Order (DSO) 06/2016 'Women in the immigration removal estate' sets out the processes that are undertaken in IRCs to ensure that the needs of women are identified and appropriately met and their rights to dignity and privacy are upheld. In addition, DSO 09/2012 ‘Searching Policy’ sets out the requirements for searching women in detention, providing clear guidance that women must only be searched by members of the same sex.

All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training or undertake appropriate refresher training. This includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The constant supervision of women who are subject to an Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) plan, should wherever possible, be undertaken by a female detainee custody officer (DCO). In the unlikely event that this is not operationally possible for reasons of safety and security, the details for this decision must be fully documented by the duty manager on the ACDT plan.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in relation to the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, and a wide range of other areas.

The Government provides support to migrant victims of VAWG through the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and works with sector leads on this group to ensure they are part of the broader strategy on VAWG.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in relation to the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, and a wide range of other areas.

The Government provides support to migrant victims of VAWG through the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and works with sector leads on this group to ensure they are part of the broader strategy on VAWG.

Ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). In the North East, terrorist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa target all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views, including both Christians and Muslims. These incidents are distinct from the ongoing intercommunal violence elsewhere in Nigeria. The UK supports programmes working to address the complex root causes of intercommunal violence in Nigeria through locally led peace-building efforts. This support aims to reduce intercommunal tensions by improving access to security and justice, and natural resource management in specific areas across northern Nigeria. In addition, the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) works with Nigeria's security forces to tackle violence against all civilian communities, including those of different religious backgrounds and belief systems.  

UK Government officials and I regularly raise the impact of insecurity on communities across central and northern Nigeria, underlying the need to bring perpetrators to justice, with the Nigerian Government. Most recently, I raised the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and resolving intercommunal conflict and tensions when I met with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria in January. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we also engage with Nigerian security actors to address complex issues including the timely, effective and human rights-compliant investigation of, and prosecutions for, terrorism crimes.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. The Minister for the Middle East raised the issue of Ahmadi rights when he met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November. In a meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister on 20 November, he and the British High Commissioner raised the issue of violence towards Ahmadi Muslims. The British High Commission continues to raise these issues, including the need for swift action in response to incidents of violence, at the highest levels. We urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account.