With religious repression and violence by abusive governments and extremist groups becoming a daily reality across the globe, the International Panel for Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB), a transnational network of parliamentarians, has been building collective political capital to shape legislation and public debate on religious freedom and belief for the last…
The APPG welcomes the acquittal of Asia Bibi. Mrs Bibi was accused of blasphemy in 2010 which automatically carries the death penalty. The Supreme Court determined that no solid evidence of wrongdoing was presented before the Court in the eight years that Mrs Bibi remained in prison. The APPG urges the Pakistani Government to protect…
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has poblished, in a world first, a list of the best and worst countries to be an atheist. This year the IHEU launches its 7th annual Freedom of Thought Report at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. For the first time the report contains a…
The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief has issued the following statement on the Tree of Life Synagogue Attack in Pittsburgh on Saturday: The APPG sends its deep condolences to the families and friends of the 11 victims killed in the anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on…
Westminster Hall, Thursday 25 October Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP) I beg to move that this House has considered international freedom of religion or belief day 2018. It is a pleasure to introduce this debate. Thank you, Mr Walker, for chairing it—it is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship. International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day…
24 October – Baroness Anelay of St Johns To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to (1) promote freedom of religion or belief, and (2) mark International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day on 27 October. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con) My Lords, as the…
The report POISON, TORTURE, LIES AND REPRESSION: HUMAN RIGHTS IN RUSSIA TODAY has been launched by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. The following extracts relate specifically to issues around Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB): Freedom of religion or belief is also under pressure. In particular, Jehovah’s Witnesses are facing a serious crackdown, but so too are small, mainly…
This event took place in Parliament on Tuesday, 16th October 2018, hosted by Jim Shannon MP and chaired by Jim Shannon MP and Becky James (Organiser) This was the third event inside the last 12 months, listening to evidence from Lord Alton of Liverpool, Senior Medical professionals and leading academics. During the event, ETAC (the International Coalition…
House of Lords 15 October Baroness Berridge To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve the assessment by the Home Office of asylum applications made on the grounds of religious or belief based persecution. The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Williams of Trafford) (Con) My Lords, all asylum decision-makers undertake a…
From time to time politicians and others quote figures indicating how many Christians are killed for their faith each year. There has been sharp debate about these figures, prompting the Religious Liberty Partnership to publish, earlier this year, a Statement on Christians Killed For their Faith: The Religious Liberty Partnership strives to demonstrate integrity in all…