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<p>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 is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. In addition
to our bilateral and multilateral work, we use our Global Human Rights sanctions regime
to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses around
the world, including those carried out against individuals on the basis of their religion
or belief.</p><p>On 10 December 2021, we used this regime to designate Furqan Bangalzai,
a former commander of terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi for his role in orchestrating
the 2017 bombing of a Sufi shrine, which killed over 70 people in Pakistan. On 22
March 2021, alongside the EU, US and Canada, we imposed sanctions on four senior Chinese
government officials and one entity for gross human rights violations taking place
against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. We will continue to draw on our range of levers
to address FoRB abuses and violations, including sanctions where appropriate.</p>
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