Extracts from yesterday’s debate: Lord Alton: …Think, too, about the massive violations of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the right to believe, not to believe or to change your belief. On 30 November, a group of 19 human rights organisations called on the international community and United Nations to particularly protect…
Too many people, including many national governments, hold “narrowly defined views on religious freedom”, leading to the exclusion of humanists, atheists and the non-religious from human rights protections. This is the view of the recently appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed. Writing in the foreword to a new report…
On 28 November 2016 a meeting was held with the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church at the House of Lords, hosted by The Lord Alton of Liverpool, at the invitation of His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom. The meeting, held under Chatham House Rules, gave…
The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief has issued a statement highlighting that it is deeply concerned by the global escalation of attacks targeting Shi’a pilgrims and shrines in Iraq, Nigeria and Afghanistan, particularly during their religious observance of Arbaeen this month, which is a defining event for Shi’as. The statement underlines that…
Parliament was among a number of British landmarks floodlit in red yesterday, to honour and acknowledge those suffering persecution for their faith around the world. The event, dubbed ‘Red Wednesday’, saw buildings – including churches, mosques and synagogues – lit to draw attention to the plight of Christians and other faith groups who are being…
On 22 November Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made in bringing to justice those responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity, particularly against Yazidis, Christians and other minorities, in Syria and Iraq. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con) My Lords, the…
On 22 November Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the continuing intercommunal conflicts in the northern and Middle Belt states of Nigeria; and what assistance they are providing for those displaced by these conflicts. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con) My Lords,…
Following the debate in Westminster Hall on 15 November and the International Development Select Committee refugee inquiry hearing, the APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, in conjunction with 46 parliamentarians from across the political parties, has called on the Home Secretary to take further action to protect vulnerable Iraqi religious communities. Recognising the…
Chris Green MP initiated a Westminster Hall debate on 15 November – the full transcript follows: Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con) I beg to move, That this House has considered the Red Wednesday campaign against religious persecution. It is a pleasure to speak on this very important subject under your chairmanship, Mr Flello. All over…
On 15 November Brendan O’Hara MP initiated a debate (full transcript below) to call for the UK Government to provide treatment for Yazidi former sex slaves of Daesh in the UK. They are ineligible to come to the UK under the current refugee schemes as they are Iraqi not Syrian. The All Party Parliamentary Group for…