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In response to the escalating global attacks on Christians, the British Foreign Office is set to intervene in 10 countries to enhance their protection of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). This initiative was unveiled by David Smith, the newly appointed UK special envoy for FoRB and a Member of Parliament for North Northumberland with a background in charitable organizations like Tearfund and the Bible Society.
At a briefing in London, Smith highlighted the grim statistics shared by the charity Open Doors, stating, “You will know that, according to the charity Open Doors, 380 million Christians alone are persecuted worldwide because of their faith.” He further elaborated on the various forms of persecution occurring globally, including social ostracism, arbitrary detention, and even killings.
Smith emphasized the interconnectedness of human rights, noting, “Freedom of religion or belief demonstrates the core principle that human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. If you have no freedom to worship, you have no freedom of assembly. If you have no freedom of belief, you have no freedom of conscience. If you have no freedom to share your faith, you have no freedom of speech.”
The countries identified for intervention include Vietnam, Algeria, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Smith pointed out that these nations were chosen based on the severity of need, potential for positive change, and the UK’s existing relationships with them.
Despite this focused approach, questions arise regarding the absence of some of the most perilous countries for Christians, as highlighted by the Open Doors World Watch List. Only three of the targeted nations appear in the top ten of this list, with notable omissions like North Korea and Yemen.
Smith clarified the strategy, saying, “Our focus in seeking to journey with these 10 countries is an important stepping stone towards our overarching goal of a reduction in the number of countries in which the right to freedom of religion or belief is significantly curtailed.” He assured that other concerning situations, such as those in Eritrea and Yemen, remain on his agenda for advocacy.
The UK government plans to bolster international FoRB standards by collaborating with organizations like the United Nations, strengthening bilateral relationships, and working with civil society groups. This approach aims to weave FoRB considerations into the Foreign Office’s core activities.
The role of an envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief was established following a 2019 report by Philip Mounstephen, the then Bishop of Truro, which highlighted a lack of awareness among Foreign Office staff about global religious persecution.
Recent findings by the Christian public relations agency Jersey Road suggest that the UK’s mainstream media largely fails to report attacks on Christians around the world.
Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, UK, and a former communications director with the CofE.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
