The arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen is yet another example of China’s increasing restrictions on fundamental human rights. Members of the APPG on International Freedom of Religion or Belief express their utmost concern and condemnation at Cardinal Zen’s arrest. The APPG calls upon the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to continue their advocacy for…
The APPG expresses its utmost concern as regards the sentencing of Mubarak Bala, President of the Nigerian Humanist Association, to 24 years in prison, for expressing what were deemed to be blasphemous opinions on Facebook. The APPG urges the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office to work towards securing Mubarak Bala’s release. We ask that the…
On this International Day of Conscience, we as an APPG recognise the challenges that must be overcome to ensure freedom of conscience for all and its relevance to Freedom of Religion or Belief. We call on government leaders to do more to release prisoners of conscience and put an end to imprisonment on such grounds….
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…
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…
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…
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…
I’d like to start by echoing Fiona’s sentiments and thanking everyone for attending today. As the Chairman of the APPG for FoRB It’s great to see so many people here who strive for justice in the pursuit and defense of FoRB in one room, especially in the shape of civil society actors and stakeholders of…
The All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion of Belief notes with concern the ongoing situation that arose from protests that broke out in Iran on 15th November 2019 following an increase in fuel prices. An internet shut-down followed, with thousands of people injured, detained, or killed. Some are still on death row,…
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…