Christian Foundation Lauds UK’s New Freedom of Religion Strategy Focusing on Nigeria, Algeria, Eight Others

The UK government’s strategy outlines various approaches to promoting and protecting the right to FoRB globally, with 10 priority countries identified for targeted action, namely Afghanistan, Algeria, China, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Ukraine and Vietnam.

Speaking at the launch, Smith underlined the need to address religious-based persecution, which he said is on the rise.

“When we look around the world today and see growing evidence of persecution based on religion or belief, we know we must act,” the official of the UK government said, and added, “You will know that, according to the charity, Open Doors, 380 million Christians alone are persecuted worldwide because of their faith.”

He said that persecution based on religion or belief, enacted by States themselves and social groups, is taking place on every continent in the world.

Persecution, Smith said, includes social ostracism, police harassment, arbitrary detention, denial of citizenship, assault, destruction of sites of religious worship, torture, and killings.

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In Nigeria, for instance, attacks targeting Christians have been massive, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for the international community to act.

In March, Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Makurdi appealed to the U.S to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) owing to increased Islamist attacks against Christians in the West African country. 

Bishop Anagbe’s passionate plea detailed the persecution of Christians especially in the northern and central regions of Nigeria, where he said there is an agenda “to reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity” of the country.

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop has been vocal about what he describes a genocide targeting Christians in Nigeria amid closure of Catholic Parishes across his Episcopal See and multiple displacements owing to heighted activities of Islamist Fulani herdsmen.

In his speech on July 8, Smith described the new UK government’s FoRB strategy as a proactive approach that works with countries and challenges practices, which repress religious communities.

“This also means ensuring FoRB is integrated into our diplomacy, development work, and trade relationships,” Smith said.

He added, “The UK is privileged to have diverse diaspora communities including from India, Nigeria and Pakistan where we have much to share on FoRB and I look forward to strengthening my relationships on FoRB in these countries too.”

The five-point plan involves upholding and maintaining support for international standards for FoRB within multilateral fora, achieving better outcomes through targeted bilateral engagement, and broadening impact by strengthening coalitions for affective action.

It also involves mainstreaming FoRB and wider human rights considerations across UK foreign policy; and strengthening and widening engagement with civil society.

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