Freedom of religion SIR – As persons with experience of international human rights protection over the past two decades, we welcome the commitment of greater diplomatic efforts in the human rights field – in this instance religious persecution. Political responses to such violations fall well short of the scale of the global problem; and the…
Open Doors 2019 World Watch List 23 January 2019 Lord Harries of Pentregarth To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in response to Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christians face the greatest persecution. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con)…
Prime Minister’s Questions, 16 January …
The UK All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief calls on Cuba to strengthen the protection of freedom of religion or belief in the country’s new constitution. The APPG also expresses concern about the harassment and intimidation of Cuban religious leaders and activists who are advocating for stronger protection of the…
During the Christmas break Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced a global review into persecution of Christians: “I have asked the Rev’d Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro, to lead an independent review of whether we are doing all we can. I would like this exercise to consider some tough questions and offer ambitious policy recommendations: Britain…
Baroness Berridge To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the publication produced by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, Commentary on the State of Freedom of Religion or Belief; and what steps they are taking to mark International Human Rights Day. The Minister of State, Foreign and…
To mark Human Rights Day, the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief has published a Commentary on the current state of Freedom of Religion or Belief. This Commentary is unique. It is the first resource to be compiled collectively by the APPG’s 25 expert…
The aim of the Wilton Park discussion this month was to explore how the delivery of humanitarian and development aid, underpinned by the rule of law and international norms, could better address the complex and contextual needs of religious minority groups in conflict and crisis settings. The event explored how the needs assessment processes within…
Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP) I beg to move, That this House has considered the matter of armed violence against farming communities in Nigeria. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts, and I thank the Backbench Business Committee for allocating time for this debate—it is of the upmost importance that the House,…
A surge in aggressive nationalism in key parts of the world is to blame for a rise in violence and other intimidation against religious minorities – and the West is failing to convert words of concern into action, according to a report just out. Assessing all 196 countries around the globe, the Religious Freedom in…