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Syria: Religious Freedom

Asked by Andrew RosindellReform UKForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 8 May 2025UIN 44924

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the interim Syrian Foreign Minister on the potential merits of establishing independent oversight mechanisms to monitor the protection of religious minorities.

Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer

We welcome the Syrian Government's reassurances to the Syrian population and international community that they will protect all civilians in Syria, and their establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate and prosecute individuals who committed crimes during the violence in early March. I discussed these points in my meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 17 March. We will continue to monitor the treatment of all civilians in Syria, and this issue will continue to be an important aspect of our engagement with the Syrian Government and with regional and international partners.

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