VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Indonesia: Religious Freedom

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 14 October 2025UIN 77067

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the attack on a Christian prayer house in Koto Tangah District, Indonesia, in July 2025; and what steps she is taking to help ensure the (a) protection of Christian communities and (b) promotion of religious freedom in that country.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and we continue to engage with Indonesian counterparts on the restriction of those freedoms, including the reported attacks on a Christian prayer house in Koto Tangah District. We welcome the Indonesian Minister for Human Rights' response to the incident, in which he emphasised the importance of religious diversity in Indonesia.

The month after the attack, the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, met the Minister in question to discuss religious freedoms, and also met Civil Society Organisations supporting religious tolerance in Indonesia. We will continue to work with the Indonesian Government and Civil Society partners on these issues.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim