APPG Statement on Peshawar Mosque Attack 4th March

The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief condemns the attack of 4th March, 2022, at which 63 people died and more than 200 were left critically injured after a deadly blast during Friday prayers in a historical Shia Mosque in Peshawar, Northwest, Pakistan. ISIS’ local chapter Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) claimed responsibility for…

Islamophobia Awareness Month

This Islamophobia Awareness Month, the APPG wants to draw the UK Government’s attention to the ways in which restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief can disproportionately affect Muslims. Many Muslims globally face challenges to their exercising of their freedom of religion or belief due to the discrimination, Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim hatred they face.    The APPG FoRB notes with increasing concern…

APPG for the Pakistani Minorities: Abductions, Forced Conversions, and Forced Marriages of Religious Minority Women and Girls in Pakistan

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Pakistani Minorities has launched a new report in Westminster today entitled Abductions, Forced Conversions, and Forced Marriages of Religious Minority Women and Girls in Pakistan. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The cases of Christian or Hindu girls between the ages of 12 – 25, abducted, converted to Islam and immediately married to their abductors…

Press Statement: APPG FoRB and the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief make freedom of religion or belief a priority for the 2022 Ministerial.

Today the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) and Fiona Bruce MP, the UK Prime Miniaster’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, hosted a reception marking Red Wednesday, a Catholic initiative that offers chance to raise awareness of the persecution Christians and those of other religions or…

APPG FoRB Statement on the Targeting of Religious Leaders by the Cuban Government Following Nationwide July Protests

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) condemns the Cuban Government’s ongoing targeting of religious leaders following spontaneous protests on 11 July 2021. APPG FoRB Members call on the Foreign Secretary to raise this issue with the Cuban Government at the highest levels. Spontaneous nationwide protests swept across Cuba…

APPG statement on APPG statement condolences for Sir David Amess MP

 The Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief express our condolences to Sir David Amess’ family at this time. We are all devastated by the murder of Sir David Amess MP, and the world is poorer for his passing. Sir David worked tirelessly for the advancement of freedom…

Pew Research report – the facts on FoRB in 2019

Globally, social hostilities related to religion declined in 2019, while government restrictions remained at highest levels; the number of countries with terrorist activity related to religion declined for a fifth consecutive year. Social hostilities involving religion, including violence and harassment against religious groups by private individuals and groups, declined in 2019, according to Pew Research…

Violence against Christians: Central African Countries

Westminster Hall, 23 September Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP) I beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of violence against Christians in central African countries. This issue concerns us greatly. I applied for this debate with the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce) and others. We have a deep personal interest in the…