Commons Sense

House of Commons · Bill Debate

Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill - Clause 1

26 January 2024 · 6 other contributors

Opened by Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

Religion & Faith

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Fiona Bruce raised concerns about freedom of religion or belief bill - clause 1 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • The Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill aims to give statutory status to the role of Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
  • The Truro review recommended establishing a permanent special envoy position with resources and authority to work across FCO departments.
  • Enacting the Bill would provide legal authority and permanence to address religious persecution globally.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

The purpose of the Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill is to place the role and office of Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief on a statutory footing, ensuring that future envoys are not at the whim of any Prime Minister. This aligns with recommendation 6 of the Truro review by Bishop of Winchester, which endorsed establishing a permanent special envoy position with appropriate resources and authority to work across FCO departments. The independent review of the progress made in implementing the Truro review's recommendations highlighted that no substantial action has been taken regarding this aspect. Enacting the Bill would provide legal authority and permanence necessary for addressing religious persecution globally.

Other contributors (6)
  • Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough

    Paid tribute to Fiona Bruce's work over many years in promoting freedom of religion or belief. Emphasised the need for more discussion on religiously motivated attacks around the world, citing examples from Nigeria where 119 attacks led to 400 deaths in Benue state and 300 deaths in Plateau state. Highlighted that these issues cannot be ignored.

  • Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East

    Supports the Bill and commends Fiona Bruce for her efforts. Highlights the importance of addressing religious persecution globally, referencing the Open Doors watch list and mentioning the need to put the role of special envoy on a statutory footing.

  • Jack Brereton

    Commends Fiona Bruce for introducing the Bill and supports her work as the Prime Minister’s special envoy. Discusses rising religious persecution around the world, including statistics from Open Doors and Pew Research Centre. Emphasises the importance of making the role permanent in statute.

  • Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet

    She thanked Fiona Bruce for introducing the Bill, highlighting that freedom of religion or belief is a core tenet of fundamental human rights. She mentioned Labour's commitment to promoting this right as part of UK foreign policy and acknowledged the work done by the Bishop of Truro on the topic. Catherine West emphasised the importance of elevating religious freedom alongside other human rights. She also pointed out specific examples of persecution, such as the Uyghur Muslim minority in China and issues faced by the Ahmadiyya community. Despite supporting the Bill, she raised concerns about balancing this right with women's reproductive rights and LGBT+ rights. Additionally, she had reservations about appointing a special envoy on a statutory basis.

  • Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield

    The Bill underlines Britain’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief, supporting the implementation of recommendation 6 from Bishop of Truro's review and the manifesto commitment. The special envoy's role is unique and follows independent recommendations. Mitchell highlights Fiona Bruce's achievements with the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), including expanding membership and initiating campaigns against antisemitism and persecution of Christians.

  • Fiona Bruce

    Bruce thanks her colleagues for their support, acknowledges David Burrowes's daily assistance in the role, and expresses gratitude to Lord Alton and Mervyn Thomas. She emphasises the importance of the Bill in strengthening collaborative work towards a future where freedom of religion or belief is honoured.

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