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Freedom to worship is the ‘litmus test of a free society’ according to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who spoke at the launch of the 2019 Open Doors World Watch List in Parliament, where over 100 parliamentarians were represented. In a message to Open Doors supporters, he said, “Thank you for the fantastic work you are doing to highlight the fact that nearly a quarter of a billion Christians around the world are facing persecution for their faith.” Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry also attended the launch, saying, “It’s a pleasure to be here at the launch of the World Watch List report 2019. I read it with some concern to find out that, for the fifth year running, persecution of Christians has increased once more.”
Freedom to worship is the ‘litmus test of a free society’ according to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who spoke at the launch of the 2019 Open Doors World Watch List in Parliament, where over 100 parliamentarians were represented.
In a message to Open Doors supporters, he said, “Thank you for the fantastic work you are doing to highlight the fact that nearly a quarter of a billion Christians around the world are facing persecution for their faith.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry also attended the launch, saying, “It’s a pleasure to be here at the launch of the World Watch List report 2019. I read it with some concern to find out that, for the fifth year running, persecution of Christians has increased once more.”
Thank you for all of your prayers covering the launch – we had a brilliant turnout with 98 parliamentarians coming to hear our field speakers, Rebecca from Nigeria and Brother Sam* from Malaysia, and Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland.
You can download the report that was given to MPs, Paying the price twice: how religious persecution exacerbates the vulnerabilities of marginalised groups.
The Foreign Secretary has commissioned a review into the plight of persecuted Christians around the world and how much help they are receiving from the UK. The review will be independent and led by the Bishop of Truro. The timing could not be better with the launch of fresh research in the 2019 World Watch List. (Find out more about the review underneath the prayer points below!)
The event was opened by host, the Rt. Hon Theresa Villiers MP, who then introduced Henrietta. She spoke about the growing persecution of Christians everywhere, and how denying the right to freedom of religion or belief plays a ‘central and devastating role’ in global crises across the world.
On the review, Henrietta said, “We are delighted that Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has initiated an independent review to look at UK support for persecuted Christians around the world.”
In his speech, the Foreign Secretary thanked Open Doors for ‘shining a light’ on the decline of religious freedom. “I want [Christians] suffering this terrible persecution to think there are people who understand what they’re going through and are sincerely trying to do everything they can about it.”
He also mentioned the impact that a certain book had on him…
“…One of the oldest books I’ve got - which I’ve had since about the age of ten - is called God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. I only realised literally as I was walking over today the connection between Brother Andrew and Open Doors – it’s a great privilege to be here and an extra thrill for me in that context. But that book is the extraordinary story of daring-do of Brother Andrew, a Dutchman who smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain and the incredible courage and extraordinary adventures he had in doing that.
“…We do have the most fantastic links around the world, through our links with the Commonwealth, our alliance with the United States, our links with our European friends and neighbours… So I want us to think about what we can do to use those connections that we have as a country, and I’ve asked Bishop Philip Mounstephen, the Bishop of Truro, to do an independent report looking at what the FCO does.”
Brother Sam from Malaysia, the first of our field speakers, then spoke about the rise of persecution in Asia, which has been steadily increasing in the background while news stories about Islamic extremists, such as Boko Haram, dominate the news.
“It saddens me that persecution is increasing in Asia,” he said. “In some of these countries, even owning a Bible in the native language is a crime.
“Persecuted Christians need support from others who are able to be their ‘voice’ to the voiceless.”
Rebecca from Nigeria works with around 2,000 widows, orphans and victims of rape – many of whom have suffered at the hands of Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram.
“The groups that bear the brunt of the persecution are women and children… An unaccounted number of women and girls are taken captive by Islamic extremists as sex slaves.
“There is also a lot of stigma against these ladies, especially those who return from captivity pregnant or with babies. But the grace of God has given me wisdom on how to handle these issues.
“With the assistance of friends like Open Doors, we can help women through prayers, relief and trauma counselling. We work to reassure these women of God’s love… The generous contributions of organisations like Open Doors are invaluable. You have given us hope to continue to hold onto the faith.”
We want to say a HUGE thank you to all of the parliamentarians who attended – with special thanks to Theresa Villiers MP for hosting the event once again. And for your prayers, and for getting involved and inviting your MP to the launch, we want to say enormous thanks to you!
The room was very busy during the launch, and we may have missed a few parliamentarians who attended, but below is a list of all those we registered as being present - nearly 100! If your MP is on the list, you may wish to thank them for coming. However, if your MP is not on this list, please don't assume this shows a lack of interest - it was a busy week in Parliament, and they may have a good reason why they couldn't come. By simply raising the issue and voicing your concern, you have given them something to think about.
MPs:
Alex Chalk
Andrew Selous
Andrew Griffiths
Angela Bennet
Brendan O'Hara
Carol Monaghan
Chi Onwurah
Chris Elmore
Darren Jones
David Linden
David Drew
David Evennett
David Simpson
Derek Thomas
Emily Thornberry
Emma Little Pengelly
Fiona Bruce
Gavin Robinson
Gillian Keegan
Greg Hands
Guy Opperman
Henry Smith
Ian Liddell-Grainger
Jeffrey Donaldson
Jeremy Lefroy
Jeremy Hunt
Jim Fitzpatrick
Jim Shannon
Jo Swinson
John Spellar
John Glen
Jonathan Lord
Julia Lopez
Julian Lewis
Julie Elliott
Kate Green
Kevin Foster
Laurence Robertson
Lisa Cameron
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Margaret Greenwood
Mark Field
Martin Vickers
Martyn Day
Mary Glindon
Mary Robinson
Matt Rodda
Michael Fallon
Michael Tomlinson
Michelle Doneland
Mohammad Yasin
Nic Dakin
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Nigel Dodds
Nigel Mills
Patricia Gibson
Paul Farrelly
Paul Girvan
Penny Mordaunt
Pete Wishart
Philip Hollobone
Preet Kaur Gill
Rachel Maclean
Rehman Chishti
Robert Jenrick
Robert Courts
Robin Walker
Roger Gale
Sammy Wilson
Scott Mann
Stephen Crabb
Stephen Lloyd
Stephen Timms
Stephen Pound
Stephen Kerr
Stuart McDonald
Susan Elan Jones
Sylvia Hermon
Theresa Villiers
Tony Lloyd
Vicky Ford
Victoria Prentis
William Wragg
MPs who sent a representative:
Edward Vaizey
Andrew Griffiths
Peter Aldous
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
Gary Streeter
Peers:
Baroness Hooper
Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
Baroness Berridge
Baroness Redfern
Lord Ahmad
Lord Browne of Belmont
Lord Morrow
Lord McCrea
Lord Marlesford
Lord Bates
Lord Gordon Strathblane
Lord Paul Boateng
Lord Anderson of Swansea
Lord Collins
Please be praying for the above parliamentarians, that what they heard at the World Watch List launch would spur them into action to effect change for our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Please also be encouraged – many MPs cited the concern of their constituents as one of the main reasons they attended the launch!
Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, said: “I am grateful to the Crawley residents who have contacted me in support of Open Doors’ work, not just at this time but all year round.”
Your voice really does make a difference – you can sway the people who can make the changes. Thank you! If you aren't already on our advocacy email list, sign up for advocacy alerts for more opportunities to speak out and pray for your persecuted family.
*name changed for security reasons
What is the review?
The Foreign Secretary has commissioned a review into the plight of persecuted Christians around the world and how much help they are receiving from the UK. The review will be independent and led by the Bishop of Truro.
What is the timeframe?
The review was announced on Boxing Day 2018 and officially launched on 30 January 2019. Open Doors has been informed that the final report is planned for summer 2019.
What does Open Doors think?
We welcome the review as a great first step, but wait to see its findings and impact. Our hope is that it will lead to concrete change that positively impacts the lives of persecuted Christians around the world.
How will Open Doors be involved?
Open Doors’ CEO, Henrietta Blyth, met with the Foreign Secretary and others in the week before the review was announced and Open Doors has regularly engaged the FCO for the last decade. We intend to actively contribute to the review from our expertise and experience, along with other organisations.
What can you do?
Please continue to stand with the persecuted church through your prayers, generosity and actions! Please pray that the review will lead to real change that positively impacts the lives of persecuted Christians.
Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus.
Together, we can reach those where persecution hits hardest.
