Persecution of Christians

Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the persecution of Christians and COVID-19.

The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a global health and economic crisis. While the virus is indiscriminate in its reach, it is the poorest and most vulnerable who will be hit hardest. As you raised, the COVID-19 pandemic is placing an additional vulnerability on persecuted Christians around the world, including both those in receipt of aid and those on the frontline.

The persecution of Christians, or any other religious group, is entirely unacceptable. Everyone should be able to practice and profess their religious faith free from persecution. Organisations such as Open Doors play an important role in highlighting terrible violations of this human right around the world.

The UK Government says that guidance was circulated across the Department for International Development (DfID) highlighting that inclusion must be central to the UK’s response and the specific contexts and needs of vulnerable religious communities should be taken into account when developing practical programmes of assistance.

I am also aware that the Minister for Human Rights, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon held a roundtable in June with faith leaders and faith-based development organisations about the specific challenges minority faith communities are facing during the pandemic.

I believe genuine action on the persecution of Christians is long overdue. We must do everything in our power to ensure that people of faith across the world have the freedom to pursue their beliefs without fear of harassment or victimisation.

Numerous options are available to the UK Government to show it is committed to protecting religious minorities. Many of them were outlined in the Bishop of Truro’s independent report on Foreign Office support for persecuted Christians. The Government says it accepts the recommendations and is working to implement them.

Thank you once again for contacting me and sharing your views. I can assure you I will continue to follow developments on this matter closely.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP