Government says “Women and minority groups can be disproportionately affected on the basis of their religion or belief….in 2021, government restrictions on religion reached a new peak globally“
The Government should also examine the targeting of women of faith who, in countries like China, have been forcibly sterilised and aborted through programmes which, in the past, have been partially funded by money from UK aid programmes. They should read the ACN Report launched this week which found that in 2024 “There have been increased threats to Christian children especially girls, who suffered abduction, sexual violence, forced marriage and forced conversion. And they should include addressing persecution of people on grounds of religion or belief in the priorities for development aid.
Countries which promote FoRB are the most prosperous and peaceful those which deny it are the poorest and blighted by conflict and displacement.
Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL1361):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the targeting of women and of minorities around the world because of their religion or belief; and whether they plan to publish their estimate of the number of people adversely affected and of the countries where such violations occur. (HL1361)
Tabled on: 08 October 2024
Answer:
Lord Collins of Highbury:
Women and minority groups can be disproportionately affected on the basis of their religion or belief. Individuals can also face persecution grounded in religious or belief-based justifications, relating to the backlash against women’s, girls and LGBT+ rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights. We do not hold figures on those adversely affected. However, the latest Pew Research Center study reports that in 2021, government restrictions on religion reached a new peak globally. We are committed to promoting freedom of religion or belief, for all, everywhere, and seek opportunities to advocate for women and minority groups.
Date and time of answer: 24 Oct 2024 at 12:14.
Report launched this week in the UK Parliament by ACN: See https://acnuk.org/pf-edition-2024/
Key findings included: “There were increased threats to Christian children especially girls, who suffered abduction, sexual violence, forced marriage and forced conversion.”
https://acnuk.org/news/uk-persecution-of-christians-has-worsened-around-the-globe/
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – FoRB (Freedom of Religion or Belief).
