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<p><ins class="ministerial">Members of non-religious communities continue to be victims
of harassment and persecution, despite progress over recent years with the promotion
of freedom of religion or belief for all. The UK Government remains deeply concerned
about the severity and scale of violations and abuses of freedom of religion or belief
(FoRB) for all in many parts of the world. Protecting freedom of religion or belief
for all faiths, and none, remains a priority for the UK Government. As the Minister
responsible for Human Rights, I underlined these points at the All-Party Parliamentary
Humanist’ Group Annual General Meeting on 24 May.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">I
also work closely with the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP.
In addition to championing FoRB, Mrs Bruce represents the UK at meetings of the International
Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance to advocate for the rights of individuals being
discriminated against or persecuted on the basis of their faith or belief, including
members of non-religious communities.</ins></p><p><del class="ministerial">The UK
is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting
respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right
to FoRB for all, including individuals from non-religious communities, is one of the
UK's longstanding human rights priorities. On a country level, Ministers and officials
regularly raise specific cases of concern, and discuss practices and laws that discriminate
on the basis of religion or belief. On a multilateral level, we work within the UN,
OSCE, Council of Europe, International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance ('Alliance')
and other international organisations and networks to promote and protect FoRB for
all where it is threatened.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">As the Minister
responsible for Human Rights I underlined the UK's commitment to FoRB for all, in
a number of international meetings in November 2020, speaking at the Ministerial to
Advance FoRB and the Ministers' Forum of the Alliance. On 20 December 2020, the Prime
Minister reaffirmed his commitment to FoRB by appointing Fiona Bruce MP as his Special
Envoy for FoRB. Mrs Bruce represents the UK at meetings of the Alliance who work to
advocate for the rights of individuals being discriminated against or persecuted on
the basis of their faith or belief.</del></p>
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