The APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief welcomes the Bishop of Truro’s interim report on Foreign and Commonwealth Office support for persecuted Christians, which was published on 3 May 2019. Any denial of freedom of religion or belief to Christians is a threat to freedom of religion or belief for all.

As the report rightly states, “freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right of every person.” Unfortunately, Pew Research Centre findings indicate that approximately 4 out of every 5 people in the world are living in countries with high or very high restrictions of this right. The APPG welcomes the Bishop of Truro’s acknowledgement that “persecution on grounds of religious faith is a global phenomenon that is growing in scale and intensity”.

The APPG also strongly echoes the Bishop’s call for all of us to do what we can to ensure that freedoms such as freedom of religion or belief “become a reality for both Christians, and people of all faiths and none.” The APPG strongly urges the UK Government to heed this call and to help protect all those who are denied this fundamental right, regardless of their religion or belief.