To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Scottish Government's document entitled Human Rights Bill for Scotland: discussion paper, published on 1 July 2025, whether the proposed Bill will engage reserved matters, including the Equality Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Scottish Government's document entitled Human Rights Bill for Scotland: discussion paper, published on 1 July 2025, whether the proposed Bill will engage reserved matters, including the Equality Act.

There are no talks between the US and Iran on ending the conflict. The US is imposing more economic sanctions. Iran’s high use of the death penalty persists.

There are no talks between the US and Iran on ending the conflict. The US is imposing more economic sanctions. Iran’s high use of the death penalty persists.

Children and young people use social media for a range of reasons. What does the evidence suggest about the potential benefits and risks of this usage, how strong is the evidence, and are there any evidence gaps?

Children and young people use social media for a range of reasons. What does the evidence suggest about the potential benefits and risks of this usage, how strong is the evidence, and are there any evidence gaps?

Cuba is experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis. US President Donald Trump has been increasing political and economic pressure on Cuba, adding new sanctions on the island's oil imports.

Cuba is experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis. US President Donald Trump has been increasing political and economic pressure on Cuba, adding new sanctions on the island's oil imports.

An agreement between the UK and EU setting out Gibraltar's relationship with the EU came into force provisionally on 15 July 2026

An agreement between the UK and EU setting out Gibraltar's relationship with the EU came into force provisionally on 15 July 2026

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise the case of Naama Asfari with the government of Morocco.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise the case of Naama Asfari with the government of Morocco.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise instances of the use of Pegasus spyware against journalists, foreign politicians and human rights activities with the government of Morocco.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise instances of the use of Pegasus spyware against journalists, foreign politicians and human rights activities with the government of Morocco.

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last made representations to the government of Cameroon about the case of journalist Tsi Conrad; and what response they received.

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last made representations to the government of Cameroon about the case of journalist Tsi Conrad; and what response they received.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and political situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding recent restrictions on civil liberties and protests.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the human rights and political situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding recent restrictions on civil liberties and protests.

My Lords, the United Kingdom monitors developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir closely. We are concerned by reports of unrest, loss of life and injuries. We support freedom of assembly and expression and encourage peaceful dialogue. We understand that restrictions on communications have been especially concerning for British nationals and members of the diaspora who are seeking contact with friends and family. The United Kingdom currently advises against all but essential travel to the area.

My Lords, the United Kingdom monitors developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir closely. We are concerned by reports of unrest, loss of life and injuries. We support freedom of assembly and expression and encourage peaceful dialogue. We understand that restrictions on communications have been especially concerning for British nationals and members of the diaspora who are seeking contact with friends and family. The United Kingdom currently advises against all but essential travel to the area.

I thank the Minister for his Answer and welcome the efforts to mediate. A number of individuals have tried to mediate between the action committee and the Governments of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the chair of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza. There has not yet been a resolution. As the Minister points out,

the guidance from the Foreign Office is against non-essential travel, but I can tell him from my personal experience that a lot of people, probably in the thousands, will be travelling over the summer holiday period to visit family and friends. Will the Minister continue to lobby the Government of Pakistan to at least open internet access so that loved ones can maintain contact with each other—and, if possible, to lift some of the blockades in terms of lockdowns and the closure of shops and other essential facilities?

I thank the Minister for his Answer and welcome the efforts to mediate. A number of individuals have tried to mediate between the action committee and the Governments of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the chair of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, Syed Qamar Raza. There has not yet been a resolution. As the Minister points out,

the guidance from the Foreign Office is against non-essential travel, but I can tell him from my personal experience that a lot of people, probably in the thousands, will be travelling over the summer holiday period to visit family and friends. Will the Minister continue to lobby the Government of Pakistan to at least open internet access so that loved ones can maintain contact with each other—and, if possible, to lift some of the blockades in terms of lockdowns and the closure of shops and other essential facilities?

We welcome the recent reports that dialogue is ongoing between the affected parties to find a resolution. It is good news. I reassure the noble Lord that, during Minister Falconer’s visit to Islamabad in June, he discussed the situation with his Pakistani counterparts, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; and that we continue to monitor the situation and the impact on British nationals.

We welcome the recent reports that dialogue is ongoing between the affected parties to find a resolution. It is good news. I reassure the noble Lord that, during Minister Falconer’s visit to Islamabad in June, he discussed the situation with his Pakistani counterparts, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; and that we continue to monitor the situation and the impact on British nationals.

My Lords, the regional elections will take place in Kashmir on 27 July; some will take place in August. What is the Government’s assessment of how free and fair these elections will be? Will they be monitoring them? I should declare that I run a Muslim charity; I did not declare this on the first Question when I asked about Muslim charities.

My Lords, the regional elections will take place in Kashmir on 27 July; some will take place in August. What is the Government’s assessment of how free and fair these elections will be? Will they be monitoring them? I should declare that I run a Muslim charity; I did not declare this on the first Question when I asked about Muslim charities.

I reassure the noble Baroness that we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Promoting human rights is a core part of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement and programmes in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns with its Government at a senior level—I mentioned Minister Falconer’s visit in June. I reassure the noble Baroness that we maintain regular contact and that we are concerned. We want to ensure a peaceful resolution and dialogue, and we certainly support all efforts to maintain democratic accountability.

I reassure the noble Baroness that we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Promoting human rights is a core part of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement and programmes in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns with its Government at a senior level—I mentioned Minister Falconer’s visit in June. I reassure the noble Baroness that we maintain regular contact and that we are concerned. We want to ensure a peaceful resolution and dialogue, and we certainly support all efforts to maintain democratic accountability.

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?

First, I confess I take a whole-government approach: I am not in the FCDO at the moment but have some responsibility for government policy. I reassure the noble Lord that, in my new responsibilities at the Home Office, I will take his concerns seriously. We need to be clear about our determination to ensure that the individual to whom he refers is no longer in this country. The crimes he committed were appalling and we take this matter seriously. The dialogue between Pakistan and us is ongoing.

First, I confess I take a whole-government approach: I am not in the FCDO at the moment but have some responsibility for government policy. I reassure the noble Lord that, in my new responsibilities at the Home Office, I will take his concerns seriously. We need to be clear about our determination to ensure that the individual to whom he refers is no longer in this country. The crimes he committed were appalling and we take this matter seriously. The dialogue between Pakistan and us is ongoing.

With no disrespect to the Minister, it is regrettable that we do not have a dedicated Foreign Office Minister in this House. I hope that that will be rectified, but I welcome him to his post. The situation in both Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir has for ever been one of clashes, crackdowns and human rights abuse. Will the Government consider reviewing the update of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2019 report that highlighted all this, and press for a long-term solution?

With no disrespect to the Minister, it is regrettable that we do not have a dedicated Foreign Office Minister in this House. I hope that that will be rectified, but I welcome him to his post. The situation in both Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir has for ever been one of clashes, crackdowns and human rights abuse. Will the Government consider reviewing the update of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2019 report that highlighted all this, and press for a long-term solution?

I thank the noble Lord and I am sure, by the way, that we will have dedicated Ministers in this House. The Government are committed to that, but do not be disappointed when I get up to speak for the FCDO. As the noble Lord well knows, the United Kingdom’s long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution on Kashmir that takes the wishes of the Kashmiri people into account. It is not for the United Kingdom to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator; it is for those two countries to come to a solution that satisfies the people.

I thank the noble Lord and I am sure, by the way, that we will have dedicated Ministers in this House. The Government are committed to that, but do not be disappointed when I get up to speak for the FCDO. As the noble Lord well knows, the United Kingdom’s long-standing position is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution on Kashmir that takes the wishes of the Kashmiri people into account. It is not for the United Kingdom to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator; it is for those two countries to come to a solution that satisfies the people.

My Lords, the Minister mentioned the wider travel advisory for British nationals not to visit Pakistan, and the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, immediately replied that they would be visiting in their thousands anyway. Has the Foreign Office reviewed the meaning of travel advisories on a wider level? The country is regularly held to a kind of ransom by unsavoury regimes when their nationals—I say this in quotation marks—are taken hostage or held in unsavoury conditions. While I applaud the work of the consular service of the FCDO, I think the travel advisory system needs broader review.

My Lords, the Minister mentioned the wider travel advisory for British nationals not to visit Pakistan, and the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, immediately replied that they would be visiting in their thousands anyway. Has the Foreign Office reviewed the meaning of travel advisories on a wider level? The country is regularly held to a kind of ransom by unsavoury regimes when their nationals—I say this in quotation marks—are taken hostage or held in unsavoury conditions. While I applaud the work of the consular service of the FCDO, I think the travel advisory system needs broader review.

I hear the noble Baroness, but the first priority of the FCDO is the safety of British nationals, which we ensure through regular consultation with our missions. Our advice is based on that principle, and our travel advice is reviewed regularly. Sometimes it is amended and it can be nuanced but, at the end of the day, it is up to individuals to consider that advice and take it seriously.

I hear the noble Baroness, but the first priority of the FCDO is the safety of British nationals, which we ensure through regular consultation with our missions. Our advice is based on that principle, and our travel advice is reviewed regularly. Sometimes it is amended and it can be nuanced but, at the end of the day, it is up to individuals to consider that advice and take it seriously.