Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Persecution for Religion and Belief

Thursday 22 April 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Caroline Ansell asked about the Church of England's assessment of religious persecution risks.
  • The Church of England pointed to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as a reliable source of information.
  • Concern was expressed over the attacks on Christians by Boko Haram and Islamist militia in northern Nigeria.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Religion & Faith
Context

The question stems from an inquiry into which countries pose the highest risk to people based on their religion and belief. The Church of England's stance on this issue is being sought.

Question

What assessment has the Church of England made of where people are at most risk of persecution as a result of their religion and belief?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Church of England is grateful to all those who carry the flame for the freedom of religion or belief. I would point to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as a reliable source of information in this area. In its 2020 report it singles out China, Eritrea, India, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, Syria and Vietnam as countries of particular concern.

Answered
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Q2 Caroline Ansell Con
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The global pandemic has exacerbated religious persecution, particularly noted by the World Watch List's report on Nigeria becoming increasingly hostile towards Christians. The Anglican Church in Nigeria is the second-largest congregation globally.

Question

The global pandemic has only exacerbated the persecution of people of faith. I was dismayed to learn from this year's world watch list that Nigeria has become increasingly hostile to Christians. The Anglican Church in Nigeria is its second-largest congregation in the world, so what support is the Church of England providing to raise awareness and to tackle persecution in Nigeria and around the world?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The persistent attacks in northern Nigeria by Boko Haram and Islamist militia are a source of profound concern to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who knows Nigeria well, and to the wider Church. We are in regular contact with the Nigerian authorities and the Foreign Office, and tomorrow the General Synod of the Church of England will be debating freedom of religion and belief, which shows how seriously Church members throughout the country take this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific support provided by the Church of England to tackle persecution in Nigeria was not detailed.

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