On 8 July 2026, Amnesty International UK published ‘A growing threat: the anti-rights movement in the UK’ report where it described the Evangelical Alliance, Both Lives UK and 115 other prominent Christian charities and non-faith-based campaigning organisations as ‘anti-rights’: presumably because of respective organisations’ caution on the expansion of transgender ideology in public policy and public life.
On the day of publication, Peter Lynas, UK director and Danny Webster, director of advocacy and research, provided media comments outlining our disappointment and opposition to allegations made in the report. The Evangelical Alliance has advocated for the freedom of religion and belief since its foundation 180 years ago. Across the four nations, we are focused on proclaiming the gospel and working on various policy and social issues of concern to evangelicals in the UK, ensuring their voice is heard and understood by decision-makers.
Amnesty International label groups as ‘anti-rights’ to try and shut down legitimate political engagement and cast aspersions on vital policy and campaigning activity
Below is a copy of the joint letter sent to Dame Julia Unwin, chair of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, where signatories set out their position and ask the Charity Commission to reaffirm two things:
- That charities across the sector are entitled to engage in public debate on contested moral questions without being mischaracterised as threat to human rights by other charities; and
- That faith-based charities committed to advancing religious as well as Christian organisations working on the sanctity of life, marriage and the family, and biological sex-based rights, make a legitimate and valuable contribution to public life in England and Wales.
In addition to Christian organisations speaking out, campaigning groups like Sex Matters and JK Rowling’s Beira’s Place, a sexual violence women’s refuge, have been robust in their opposition to the report and issued legal letters over defamation claims. Amnesty have since removed the report from their website and reported themselves to the Charity Commission, where the commission have opened a compliance case assessing concerns.
When more information becomes available, we will update our members.
