About our APPG

The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief is one of the Largest APPG’s at Westminster.  Our purpose is to raise the profile and the general awareness of international Freedom of Religion or Belief as a human right among parliamentarians, government, media and the general public

What is an All Party Parliamentary Group?

An All-Party Parliamentary Group is made up of Parliamentarians (MPs and Members of the House of Lords) who share a particular interest in a subject and wish to co-ordinate their work around this issue. They are informal, cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament and are not accorded any powers or funding by it; they should not be confused with select committees, which are formal institutions of the House.

In 2012 a Speakers’ Working Group noted that these groups “are an effective way for Members of both Houses to inform themselves about specific subjects, to respond to outside concerns, and to have direct contact with external audiences”.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has clearly stated that the defence of freedom of religion or belief worldwide is a priority for its work. Thus the issue of international freedom of religion or belief is very firmly on the Parliamentary agenda, and Parliamentarians have significant opportunities to support and advance this right.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Freedom of Religion or Belief was established in July 2012 with the following purpose:

“To raise awareness and profile of international freedom of religion or belief as a human right amongst parliamentarians, media, government and the general public in the UK; and to increase effectiveness and awareness of the UK’s contribution to international institutions charged with enforcing this human right.”

Jim Shannon MP

APPG FoRB Chair

“In my role as chair of the all-party group on international freedom of religion or belief, I campaign on behalf of all who are persecuted, not just Christians, because I am a Christian and I believe that my God loves everyone. That is why I, and all hon. Members present, believe that it is our duty to speak out not only for those of Christian faith, but for people of any faith and of course, just as important, those who do not profess a faith at all.”

APPG Register as at 10 March 2021

View the current members; members of the APPG at 6 November 2019; members of the APPG at 2 May 2017; members of the APPG at 30 March 2015

The APPG held its 2021 AGM on 24 February 2021: Minutes

The APPG held its inaugural meeting on 5 February 2020: Minutes

The APPG held an EGM on 11 November 2020: Minutes

The APPG held its 2018 AGM on 24 October 2018: Minutes

The APPG held its 2017 AGM on 18 July 2017: Minutes

The APPG held its 2016 AGM on 24 May 2016: Minutes

View the APPG’s Income and Expenditure Statements:  February 2020 – February 2021; July 2019 to November 2019; July 2018 to July 2019;  – the break-down of the income (monetary donations) is available upon request. The APPG pays the London Living Wage to its staff.

View Highlights of the work of the APPG in 2020.

APPG Officers

With new APPG regulations in place we now have four officers

Jim Shannon MP

Jim Shannon is the Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, and has been an MP continually since 6 May 2010.

Ruth Jones MP

Ruth Jones is the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, and has been an MP continually since 4 April 2019.

Lord David Alton

Lord Alton of Liverpool’s full title is The Lord Alton of Liverpool. His name is David Patrick Paul Alton, and he is a current member of the House of Lords.

APPG Team

Full Time Staff at APPG International Freedom of Religion or Belief

Julie Jones
Director

Before joining the APPG Julie was a trustee on the Interfaith Network UK and served there as the interfaith representative for Wales for the devolved nations. She was also the vice-chair of the Interfaith Council of Wales (ICW), the elected member of the ICW for the Welsh government. She has played an important role in increasing awareness of different faiths and promoting unity within different communities in Wales. 

Niwa Limbu
Junior Parliamentary Officer

Niwa Limbu is a university student deeply engaged in the world of politics, serving as a parliamentary officer for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Balancing his academic pursuits with his passion for political advocacy, Niwa is particularly focused on the philosophy of freedom of religion. His work with the APPG allows him to contribute to discussions and policies that safeguard religious freedoms, a subject close to his heart. Despite his youth, Niwa brings a fresh perspective and a dedication to the principles of liberty and human rights in both his studies and his professional role.

APPG FoRB Members

Parliamentary Members from the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

House of Commons

House of Lords

  • Lord Alton
  • Lord Anderson
  • Baroness Anelay
  • Lord Balfe
  • Bishop of Blackburn
  • Lord Boateng
  • Baroness Brinton
  • Bishop of Bristol
  • Lord Clarke of Hampstead
  • Lord Collins
  • Lord Cormack
  • Lord Cotter
  • Bishop of Coventry
  • Baroness Cox
  • Lord Curry of Kirkharle
  • Lord Dholakia
  • Baroness Eaton
  • Lord Evans
  • Bishop of Guildford
  • Lord Green of Deddington
  • Lord Griffiths of Burry Port
  • Baroness Hooper
  • Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
  • Lord Hylton
  • Bishop of Leeds
  • Lord Loomba
  • Lord McColl
  • Lord McInnes
  • Baroness Masham
  • Lord Morrow
  • Lord Oates
  • Baroness O’Loan
  • Lord Parekh
  • Bishop of Peterborough
  • Lord Polak
  • Lord Rennard
  • Lord Rowe-Beddoe
  • Bishop of St Albans
  • Lord Selkirk
  • Baroness Sherlock
  • Lord Singh of Wimbledon
  • Baroness Smith of Newnham
  • Baroness Stroud
  • Lord Suri
  • Lord Triesman
  • Baroness Whitaker
  • Lord Wigley
  • Bishop of Winchester
  • Lord Whitby
  • Bishop of Worcester

“Human Rights are not a privilege conferred by government.  They are every human beings entitlement by virtue of their humanity”

– Mother Teresa –