Thank you for contacting me about the persecution of Christians worldwide.
My ministerial colleagues and I are committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and to promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Indeed, promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. Regrettably, however, HM Government remains deeply concerned about the increase in FoRB violations globally.
The FCDO regularly engages with Open Doors UK and other Non-Governmental Organisations to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. I have no doubt that Ministers have paid heed to the recommendations made in the 2022 World Watch List Report and I am glad that the report praised the many positive advances already made by HMG. My fellow parliamentarians have also taken steps to support those facing religious persecution, including by way of engaging with several Westminster Hall debates on this matter.
When FoRB is respected, societies are more likely to be stable and secure, and to flourish economically. They are also less prone to extremist attacks. It is therefore not to put too fine a point on it to say that in promoting FoRB we are promoting peace and doing so now is as critical as ever.
Thank you for the invitation to attend the launch of Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List in January. It would be my pleasure to attend this event should my other parliamentary duties allow.