Oral QuestionForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office

If he will amend the memorandum of understanding between Indonesia and the UK on a Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals, published on 29 November 2024, to include conditions on the protection of human rights in West Papua.

Tabled: 26 March 2025Answered: 1 April 2025

Asked by

Alex Sobel

Labour (Co-op)Leeds Central and Headingley

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

The memorandum of understanding—as you are aware, Madam Deputy Speaker, having signed off on it in 2024—is an agreement to create a policy framework that promotes good environmental, social and governance practices in critical minerals, mining and processing. I was able to visit Indonesia in January specifically to raise concerns about human rights in Papua with the senior Minister for human rights. [ Official Report , 22 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 7WC.] (Correction)