The past few years has seen a rising tide of restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Baha’is, Shias, Sunnis and Alawites, Hindus, Sikhs, atheists, Christians and many others have fallen victim to a new sectarianism that is breaking out across continents. For that reason, the Foreign Office has increased its activities to promote freedom of religion or belief across the world.
Multilateral organisations are a vital avenue for the pursuit of progress on what is an international issue. The Government is working with the United Nations Human Rights Council to implement Resolution 16/18, which lays the foundations for combating discrimination against people based on their religion throughout the world. Foreign Office Ministers brought together countries across the world to discuss implementation in 2013 and have continued to monitor progress through a number of follow-up meetings this year.
Ministers are also prioritising freedom of religion through bilateral engagement with governments across the world. Every minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is an ambassador for religious freedom, raising and promoting these issues in the countries for which they have responsibility. For example, in China, the Government regularly raises the subject of harassment and legal restrictions faced by the Chinese Christian community at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue, publishing quarterly updates on the progress made.
I would also like to mention the project work undertaken by the Government, through which Britain is working with human rights and faith-based organisations across the world; particularly those which bridge sectarian divides and promote dialogue between religions. For example, the Government is supporting a network of human rights defenders working on this issue in South East Asia.
Of course, there is more work that needs to be done. The Government will continue to make clear the facts of history and correct the views of those who seek to create conflict for their own divisive means, such as claiming Christianity in the Middle East is an import of ‘the west’. It will stress that the presence of other faiths doesn’t come at the expense of your own, and that religious freedom brings with it social, political and economic advantage. This approach will be at its most effective if all people, independent of religion, work together to support these values.
By Patrick McLoughlin on October 05, 2015