The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 29th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Thailand regarding Uyghur asylum seekers detained there.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab, FCDO): The United Kingdom has raised the issue of the Uyghurs detained in Thailand with the Thai authorities on multiple occasions, most recently in January 2025. The United Kingdom remains committed to upholding the principle of non-refoulement, and has repeatedly urged other countries to honour their obligations in line with international law, and not to force people to return to a country where they are likely to face torture or ill treatment.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take in response to reports of abductions of Rohingya refugees from camps in the Teknaf area of Bangladesh.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to support Rohingya refugees and the communities which host them. In Bangladesh, this includes engaging with the UN and non-government organisations to address protection risks. We are closely monitoring the reports of abduction of Rohingya refugees in Teknaf. We continue to engage with the Interim Government in Bangladesh and other partners on the security situation in the camps, including on the need to improve policing in the camps. As a leading donor to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh, we have provided £405 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the interim government of Bangladesh to strengthen security in and around Rohingya refugee camps.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to improving the security of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and we regularly engage with the Interim Government in Bangladesh about security in and around Rohingya refugee camps. In November 2024, during Minister Wests’ visit to Bangladesh, she discussed the situation of Rohingya refugees with Chief Adviser Yunus. The UK Government continues to work closely with UN agencies and the Interim Government in Bangladesh to provide basic services to Rohingya refugees while they remain in Bangladesh. UK funding (£405 million since 2017) is providing life-saving assistance including food, repairs to shelters and water and sanitation infrastructure, healthcare and community-based protection services for women and children.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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