Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Syria: Religious Minorities

Tuesday 14 January 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions on Syria: Religious Minorities were held on 2025-01-14
  • David Smith inquired about attacks on religious minorities by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters
  • Sammy Wilson raised concerns over the inclusivity of dialogue and protection of minorities in Syria

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Smith Lab North Northumberland
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

Over Christmas, there were attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters on the Christian-majority town of Maaloula and some reports of attacks on Alawite communities. This prompted concerns about the safety and rights of religious minorities.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for welcoming me and for his commitment and that of the Department to work with the nascent Syrian Government as they seek to protect and respect religious minorities. However, I am sure that he is aware that over Christmas there were attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters on the Christian-majority town of Maaloula, and some reports of attacks on Alawite communities. What more can he and his Department do to work with the Syrian Government as they seek to build a society in which all religious communities can take part without fear of religious persecution?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

As the House would expect, we follow reports of such incidents in Syria very closely. I was discussing some of those incidents with members of Syrian civil society just last night, and the Foreign Secretary has raised those questions directly with the interim Foreign Minister of the Syrian authorities. We will continue to call for all parties in Syria, in this moment of transition, to do the utmost to respect the rights of all religious minorities across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not provide specific actions or commitments beyond general advocacy and discussions with Syrian authorities.

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Q2 Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim
Foreign Affairs
Context

Members of the Syrian Democratic Council are concerned that the call for dialogue is not inclusive and that minorities are not being protected. This prompts concern about the stability and representativeness of future government structures.

Question

Minorities can be protected only if there is stable and representative government in Syria. This morning I met some members of the Syrian Democratic Council who are concerned that the call for dialogue is not inclusive and that minorities are not being protected. What steps can the Government take to ensure that that does not happen and that there is inclusive dialogue? Will the Government, for example, link the lifting of sanctions against Syria to the actions to protect minorities and to the inclusion of the Syrian Democratic Council in future constitutional arrangements?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

It is vital that the new Syria includes representation of all its people and that all Syrians can see themselves represented in the Government that will follow. We are supporting an inclusive political process that must respect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, and we will continue in our efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not specify concrete steps or linkages to sanctions for protecting minority rights; instead, they reiterated a commitment to inclusivity without details on implementation.

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