What is the 2022 Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Ministerial?
The 2022 FoRB Ministerial (5-6 July) is an international human rights conference focused solely on freedom of religion or belief and its violations and abuses for all faiths around the world. This year, it is being held in the UK and hosted by the foreign commonwealth and development office (FCDO) and the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP.
Who is invited?
The Ministerial will bring together governments, Parliamentarians, faith and belief representatives, and civil society to urge increased global action on freedom of religion or belief for all. The main Ministerial agenda for delegates will take place in the Queen Elizabeth II centre but there will be many events and opportunities taking place across Parliament that your MP can be involved with.
Why is it important?
The purpose of the Ministerial is to urge increased global action on FoRB for all. The overarching themes of the Ministerial will be preventing FoRB violations and abuses and protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to speak up about the key issues our persecuted family face today, and to influence policy outcomes in response.
Today, one in seven Christians face persecution and discrimination globally.
That’s 360 million Christians whose freedom of religion or belief is violated. The patterns of persecution need to be addressed. The London 2022 FoRB Ministerial (5-6 July) is a unique opportunity to do this.
Speak out on behalf of our persecuted family by inviting your MP to prioritise attending the 2022 Freedom of Religion or Belief Ministerial in London.
Three alarming trends of persecution
Open Doors Advocacy are running three events for MPs and delegates at the 2022 FoRB Ministerial focusing on:
1. Islamic extremism
Islamic extremism and persecution in Nigeria have grown year on year. Now similar patterns of persecution are spreading across West Africa. Jihadists across the region are further emboldened by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
This puts Christians and other religious minorities at greater risk of attack. We need to act.
Hear how, at the Open Doors 2022 FoRB Ministerial event.
2. Gender-specific religious persecution
Persecutors target Christian women to destabilise whole Christian communities. Christian women and girls experience persecution that is hidden, violent and complex. The tactics used exploit the compounded vulnerability of both faith and gender to cause the greatest damage.
UK Government needs to recognise this specific persecution in policy in order to see change.
3. Digital persecution
Digital persecution is the new frontier for human rights. Technological advances have accelerated the persecution and discrimination against Christians and other religious minorities through surveillance, censorship and disinformation. Covid-19 has expanded the influence of technology for monitoring purposes.
This requires urgent political attention.
