To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries his Department lists as being jurisdictions where homosexuals are at risk of (a) execution and (b) other forms of persecution by (i) state sanctioned bodies and (ii) non-state sanctioned bodies; and if he will make a statement. (196292)

The nine countries that have a maximum penalty of death for consenting same sex relations are Iran, Iraq, Mauritania, Nigeria (in 12 northern states where Sharia law operates), Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Yemen.

There are a number of other countries where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people may be at risk of persecution. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Travel Advice points to countries where there might be a risk of persecution. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also provides specific advice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on the range of issues that they might face abroad. This can be found at: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office opposes any form of persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, by whoever, and wherever it occurs. Foreign and Commonwealth officials have been active in promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.