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1045792

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to reduce the persecution of Christians overseas.
	tabling member constituency	Waveney
	tabling member printed	Peter Aldous
	uin	908707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary has commissioned an independent, global review into the additional practical steps the Government can take to support persecuted Christians. The review will report by Easter.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/01/2019 17:06:06 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4069 label Biography information for Peter Aldous

1045794

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to reduce the persecution of Christians overseas.
	tabling member constituency	Stirling
	tabling member printed	Stephen Kerr
	uin	908710
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary has commissioned an independent, global review into the additional practical steps the Government can take to support persecuted Christians. The review will report by Easter.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/01/2019 17:07:31 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4604 label Biography information for Stephen Kerr

1035256

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to secure religious freedom for Christians throughout the world.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	205199
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2019 answer text <p>​Freedom of Religion or Belief is an important part of the work done by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We regularly raise this issue with international counterparts both at ministerial and senior official levels and in multilateral forums.</p><p> </p><p>The respected NGO, Open Doors, estimates that 215 million Christians experience high or extreme levels of persecution around the world. To ensure that the United Kingdom is using its influence to support Christians in the best possible way, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs commissioned an independent, global review into the persecution of Christians on 26<sup>th</sup> December 2018. This review will be led by the Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen will report by Easter the additional practical steps the government can take to support persecuted Christians. Further information can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-announces-global-review-into-persecution-of-christians" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-announces-global-review-into-persecution-of-christians</a></p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 14/01/2019 16:40:04 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1058770

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect the religious expression of Christians around the world.
	tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
	tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
	uin	219491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to using our influence to defend Freedom of Religion or Belief as a universal human right which should be enjoyed by everyone. The Government is deeply concerned about the severity of violations of Freedom of Religion or Belief in many parts of the world. In recent years we have seen reports of a particular rise in the persecution of Christians. The Foreign Secretary recently asked the Bishop of Truro to conduct an independent global review into the persecution of Christians. The review will provide recommendations on the additional practical steps the FCO can take to support persecuted Christians. The review will provide a report by the summer.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 14/02/2019 17:01:01 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

91281

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to assist persecuted Christians around the world; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	North Down
	tabling member printed	Lady Hermon
	uin	208812
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p>The promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief is one of the UK’s human rights priorities. We regularly raise individual cases and work to combat discriminatory legislation and practices through multilateral systems and targeted project work. In the last month Ministers have made public statements expressing grave concern about persecution of individuals on grounds of their religion or belief in Syria, Pakistan and Iraq.</p><p>As an example, in the recent high profile case of Meriam Ibrahim who was forced to leave Sudan because she refused to renounce Christianity, My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister, My Rt Hon Friend Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, My Hon Friend, the Member for Rochford and Southend East (Mr Duddridge) The Minister for Africa, all publicly condemned her sentencing, and called on the Government of Sudan to respect the right to freedom of religion or belief and international human rights laws. However, Meriam Ibrahim's case is not an isolated occurrence. This is why we are calling on the Sudanese government to undertake a comprehensive review of its penal code to ensure its laws reflect both its own constitution and international human rights obligations and the values of the Sudanese people.</p><p>We are active in our project work in a wide range of countries. In Iraq, we are currently funding a series of grassroots meetings, bringing together people from different faiths to combat sectarian violence. The work is being led by Canon Andrew White, who has played a key role in forming the High Council of Religious Leaders in Iraq. In Syria, we are funding the training of religious and community leaders from the Sunni, Alawite, Christian, Druze, Armenian and Kurdish communities in active citizenship and dialogue skills in order to help reduce community tensions. We continue to fund training for Syrian activists to document abuses to a criminal law standard with the aim that this documentation could be used in a future process of accountability.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 13/10/2014 13:27:22 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1437 label Biography information for Lady Hermon

174579

	registered interest
	date	14/01/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to tackle the persecution of Christians overseas.
	tabling member constituency	South Down
	tabling member printed	Ms Margaret Ritchie
	uin	907111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2015 answer text <p>Freedom of religion or belief is a human rights priority. At all levels of Government, we regularly urge the protection and the right of all, including Christians, to practise their religion or belief without discrimination.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 20/01/2015 16:42:55 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

445159

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2016
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the UN Human Rights Council on the persecution of Christians.
	tabling member constituency	St Albans
	tabling member printed	Mrs Anne Main
	uin	22719
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2016 answer text <p>The UK has a strong record of supporting freedom of religion or belief, including christianity, at the Human Rights Council. We supported the resolution on freedom of religion or belief in both the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly in 2015, and will look to do so again in March 2016. The UK also supported the appointment of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, who is tasked with monitoring and reporting these issues worldwide.</p><p>In addition, we regularly support language in country specific resolutions about the importance of protecting religious minorities, as evidenced in the Syria resolution of September 2015. We also regularly work with EU partners to ensure a strong EU position on freedom of religion or belief at the Human Rights Council.</p><p>When raising persecution faced by one faith group, we endeavour to frame our remarks in the wider context of the rule of law and freedom – making the point that when one faith community is persecuted, the liberty of all is jeopardised.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 25/01/2016 15:16:07 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1568 label Biography information for Mrs Anne Main

166327

	registered interest
	date	26/11/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts at the UN about the persecution of Christians in other countries; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Lagan Valley
	tabling member printed	Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson
	uin	216225
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>Freedom of religion or belief, including the right of christians to profess their faith freely, is a key human rights priority for this Government. We work actively on it through the UN, encouraging all member states to implement in their own countries the commitments they have made in endorsing UN resolutions on this subject.</p><p>During the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week, UN Member States adopted resolutions on freedom of religion or belief and combating intolerance.</p><p>My right hon and noble Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Anelay of St. Johns has called upon all UN Member States to ensure that they translate these resolutions into practice and create a climate where no-one is persecuted or discriminated against on the grounds of their religion or belief.</p><p>The subject is also raised by means of country specific resolutions. One example is the UN Special Session on Iraq on 1 September when the UK requested a UN investigation into the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) abuses, which would include those directed at Christians, as well as Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 01/12/2014 16:50:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	650 label Biography information for Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

172901

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2015
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the extent of persecution of Christians in (a) Nigeria and (b) Iran.
	tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
	tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
	uin	220309
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2015 answer text Freedom of religion or belief is a key human rights priority for this Government. We regularly urge governments at senior levels to uphold the rights of all, including Christians. We work to build international consensus on freedom of religion or belief in multilateral bodies such as the UN, and support practical projects with civil society and faith groups. In Nigeria the two main religions, Christianity and Islam, have a history of tolerance and coexistence. Boko Haram are attempting to challenge Nigeria’s secular state and democratic constitution by attacking all Nigerians who do not follow their extremist and intolerant views. Their activities, which do not command widespread support, have caused immense suffering in both Muslim and Christian communities. We are committed to playing our part in helping Nigeria combat these extremists. In Iran, we are disappointed that comments made by President Rouhani in 2013 in support of the rights of religious minorities have not brought any change in his government’s approach over the past year. Christians, although recognised under Iranian law, have continued to be persecuted. Evangelical Christians, Iranian converts to Christianity and those involved in house churches have found themselves particularly singled out for harassment and arrest. The UK has repeatedly called on the Iranian government to end all persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, and to guarantee the human rights of all Iranians. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 16/01/2015 12:42:26 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

61706

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what direct steps the Government has taken to ensure the safety of Christians in countries where they are being persecuted for their faith.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	200349
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p>Freedom of religion or belief is a priority for this Government internationally. On 15 November 2014, the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend, the right hon. Baroness Warsi gave a speech in Washington stressing the need for an international response to the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. The full text of her speech is available on our website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/an-international-response-to-a-global-crisis. We are concerned about the rising tide of persecution of individuals on the basis of their religion and belief. We regularly raise individual cases and discriminatory legislation with other governments and we support overseas programmes designed to overcome prejudice, discrimination and sectarianism. We also work in multilateral fora to ensure that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and belief is afforded the international legal protection that it deserves. Furthermore the Senior Minister of State has convened meetings of international leaders to generate practical steps to promote freedom of religion or belief and to fight religious intolerance within our societies.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 19/06/2014 10:22:12 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson