Evangelical Alliance calls for "long-term solutions" for persecuted Christians worldwide at International Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference
The Evangelical Alliance urges the government not to miss the opportunity to demonstrate international leadership and protect the vulnerable communities of persecuted Christians around the world during the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference (FoRB), hosted by the UK Government in London on Tuesday, 5 and Wednesday, 6 July.
Three years after the government accepted all 22 recommendations in the Bishop of Truro’s review on the persecution of Christians overseas, there is urgent need for the newly formed FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) to set out a long-term strategy to advance freedom of religion or belief in both foreign and development policy.
Danny Webster, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, says: “At the summit this week, words must be matched with action. Protecting and promoting human rights should be a cornerstone of our government’s foreign policy, trade deals and overseas development spending. Religious freedom is foundational to free societies and should be at the centre of government action across the globe.”
In 2021, more than 360 million Christians around the world suffered significant persecution for their faith, according to Open Doors World Watch List, and of the near 6,000 Christians killed for their faith last year, more died in Nigeria than all other countries combined.
The two-day event is expected to be attended by more than 500 faith leaders, government ministers, and non-governmental organisations from around 50 countries.
The Evangelical Alliances affirms and celebrates the human rights of all to choose and practice their religion or belief freely and without constraint.
Contact details
Parliamentary and Westminster engagement
Alicia Edmund (head of public policy), a.edmund@eauk.org or 020 7520 3852
Media
Nicola Morrison (editorial and media manager), n.morrison@eauk.org or 020 7520 3861
Notes to editors
Danny Webster – Director of advocacy is available for interviews
Live updates will be available on the Evangelical Alliance’s Twitter (@EAUKnews) and Instagram (@evangelicalalliance) accounts on 5 and 6 July.
Visit our dedicated page for more: International Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference 2022
About the Evangelical Alliance
We are the Evangelical Alliance. We join together hundreds of organisations, thousands of churches and tens of thousands of individuals for the sake of the gospel. Representing our members since 1846, the Evangelical Alliance is the oldest and largest evangelical unity movement in the UK.
We love Jesus and we want everyone in the UK to be given an opportunity to know Him.
We love His church, and we will do all we can to unite evangelicals, building confidence in the gospel and speaking as a trusted voice into society to see it changed for Him.
Working across the UK, with offices in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast, our members come together from across denominations, locations, age groups and ethnicities, all sharing a passion to know Jesus and make Him known.
