Written questions, answers and statements

Somalia: Religious Freedom

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Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN 122092, tabled on 10 January 2018

Question

Lady Hermon
Independent
North Down
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of religious freedom in Somalia; what representations his Department has made to the Somali Government on improving the protection of religious freedom; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Harriett Baldwin
Conservative
West Worcestershire
Commons

Answered on

15 January 2018

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office assesses that Somalia has made some progress towards upholding and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. However, there continue to be serious violations and abuses and a culture of impunity persists. The British Government has not made specific representations to the Somali Government on protection of religious freedoms, but has consistently called for the protection of all human rights in Somalia and for the Somali Government to fulfil its international obligations and commitments. This includes the UK statement at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 27 September 2017 and in the communiqué of the London Somalia Conference held in May 2017.

Answered by

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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