PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(17 June 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterparts on the protection of religious freedoms for (a) Hindus, (b) Christians, (c) Buddhists, (d) Sikhs and (e) other minority communities.

Asked by:
Jas Athwal (Labour)

The UK condemns all acts of violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities and continues to emphasise the importance of protecting the rights of all communities to the Bangladesh Government.

Following the February 2026 elections, I visited Bangladesh and met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, where the Government of Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion. We welcome the Government's early steps to protect and reassure all communities, and its stated intention to build a Bangladesh that serves every citizen.

Our commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is reflected in our £27 million Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme (2023-2028), which aims to protect civic space, foster inclusive dialogue, and address tensions that can lead to violence.

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