Parliament

The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief brings human rights violations to the attention of the government. Find out how we keep FoRB a priority, and ensure it is a topic of conversation that triggers action.

The Work of Parliament

“I pay tribute to the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief. Their tireless work and commitment to religious freedoms is not just important, but assists the Government in making their case. Every time I am abroad, as a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, I can make the point that this is a big priority for Parliament, so this work is of considerable diplomatic importance.”

Mark Field MP, Minister for Asia and the Pacific, 1 March 2018

“We stand up for the rights of those of a Christian belief, those of other beliefs and those with no belief. That is a key issue for us in Parliament and in the APPG.”

Jim Shannon MP

What We Do

We are a cross-party group of parliamentarians who believe that international freedom of religion or belief is a crucial human right. We therefore seek to raise its profile in Government, in Parliament, in the media and among the general public. Our website is designed to help you find out more about freedom of religion or belief and play your part in the fight for this right to be recognised worldwide.

As an APPG we are constantly raising the profile of FoRB within parliament through continually asking questions on behalf of our stakeholders and holding debates with MP’s that create discussion and hi-light issues.  When further evidence is required delegations are arranged and opportunities created to meet with other governments and organisations to encourage change.
Below are records of the questions, debates and early day motions the APPG has organised and submitted.

APPG Statements

Listed here are statements made by the APPG in relation to issues of FoRB.

Raising Awareness

Read the questions, debates, early day motions and official communications that we raise in parliament.
See here for parliamentary questions prior to 2019.

Prime Ministers Questions

Debates

Early Day Motions

Official Communications

Hansard Links

11/01/2023

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED’S REPORT STATING THAT 100 PRIESTS WERE KIDNAPPED, ARRESTED OR KILLED WORLDWIDE IN 2022.: Jim Shannon

13/12/2022

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN VIETNAM: Carla Lockhart

13/12/2022

FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEFIN INDIA: Jim Shannon

12/12/2022

FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN QATAR FOR PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS; AND IF HE WILL MAKE A STATEMENT.: Andrew Selous

12/12/2022

DEMOLITION OF HOMES IN AL-NAWAZ SHARIF COLONY, ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: Lord Alton of Liverpool

07/12/2022

IRAN’S TREATMENT OF THE BAHA’I: Julian Sturdy

07/12/2022

02/12/2022

STATEMENT ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF AND GENDER EQUALITY: Zarah Sultana

02/12/2022

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-11-18/HL3538

28/11/2022

RELIGIOUS TENSION AND VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA: Andrew Rosindell

17/11/2022

PAKISTAN: The Lord Bishop of Leeds

17/11/2022

16/11/2022

PAKISTAN FLOOD RELIEF: EQUAL ACCESS TO HUMANITARIAN AID: Brendan O’Hara

16/11/2022

THREATS FROM IS-K TOWARDS RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN AFGHANISTAN: Brendan O’Hara

14/11/2022

QATAR’S BAHAI COMMUNITY: Bob Blackman

10/10/2022

ARREST OF AHMADI COMMUNITY IN ALGERIA: Andrew Rosindell

10/10/2022

REVIEW OF MOVING THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN ISRAEL TO JERUSALEM: Julian Sturdy

05/09/2022

STATEMENT AGREED AT THE INTERNATIONAL MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF ON BELIEF AND GENDER EQUALITY: Caroline Lucas

“Human Rights are not a privilege conferred by government.  They are every human beings entitlement by virtue of their humanity”

– Mother Teresa –