Thank you! The impact of the World Watch List 2026 at Stormont 

After ten years, Open Doors returned to Stormont, the parliamentary buildings of Northern Ireland, to launch the World Watch List 2026. Thank you for your invitations, prayers and support!

The launch of the World Watch List 2026 at Stormont was an exciting and landmark event in the calendar of Open Doors, it being the first Open Doors event to be held in the parliamentary buildings for over ten years. Thanks to your invitations, 27 MLAs, one MP and over 30 other guests attended the event, to gain essential insights on the experience of persecuted Christians around the world. Find out if your MLA attended at the bottom of this page!  

Gordon Lyons, MLA, hosted the event and Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, presented key trends and how persecution has developed over the previous year across the world. 

Taking to the podium, Gordon Lyons stressed the importance of the World Watch List 2026 and Open Doors as a trusted voice for persecuted Christians. A Somali believer gave a powerful, first-hand testimony of his experience of persecution in one of the world’s most dangerous regions to follow Jesus. He highlighted the difference between being safe in terms of one’s personal security, and the importance of salvation in Jesus as a much greater security which does not change depending on circumstances.  

Next steps 

MLAs had the opportunity to ask questions to a panel, raising queries about next steps and how they could act. Open Doors highlighted five ways MLAs can respond to persecution, as listed below. 

1. Use Assembly mechanisms to raise freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) issues 

MLAs can table Assembly Questions, raise FoRB in debates, request relevant Ministerial briefings and use committee scrutiny to explore Northern Ireland’s contribution to global human rights. 

2. Work cross-party to demonstrate united commitment 

Stormont has a strong track record of cross-party cooperation on human rights. A united MLA voice strengthens the UK’s overall FoRB advocacy and signals seriousness to Westminster, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the international community. 

3. Amplify voices from churches and diaspora communities 

MLAs have trusted relationships with local churches, diaspora communities (including Nigerian, Indian, Middle Eastern and others), civic leaders and NGOs. MLAs can bring these concerns directly into public life, ensuring that lived-experience voices are heard and not overlooked. 

4. Use party networks to influence Westminster 

MLAs can channel FoRB concerns through their party networks to MPs, peers, policy teams and UK spokespersons. This is one of the most effective routes for Northern Irish influence on UK foreign policy engagement. 

5. Support civil society engagement in Northern Ireland 

MLAs can host or attend briefings, support church-led events and campaigns, participate in diaspora roundtables, encourage civic participation at community level. Their presence elevates these discussions and adds political credibility to FoRB initiatives. 

“Everyone has a role to play” 

Gordon Lyons reflects, “I’m delighted to have been able to host this event today. I’d like to thank Open Doors for all their work that helps us as we seek to help the persecuted church.” 

“It’s very important that we as brothers and sisters of persecuted Christians stand with them, speak for them, seek to ensure their safety and well-being and allow their churches to grow in peace and freedom,” MLA Edwin Poots stated after the launch. 

MLA Peter Martin affirmed, “It’s important for politicians here in Northern Ireland and in the UK government to stand up and be a voice for persecuted Christians when no one else will. I encourage everyone to get involved – everyone has a role to play.” 

Thank you for all your support for the launch of the World Watch List 2026 in Westminster and Stormont. Your prayers are invaluable, enabling many to hear the voices of persecuted Christians and act. Undoubtedly, the launch at Stormont has established a platform for the future work of Open Doors among MLAs and decision-makers. Please continue to pray for the impact of the event and all those who attended. 

Did your MLA attend? 

Maurice Bradley
Phillip Brett
Cheryl Brownlee
Keith Buchanan
Johnathan Buckley
Joanne Bunting
Jon Burrows
Pam Cameron
Trevor Clarke
Diane Dodds
Stephen Dunne
Connie Egan
Diane Forsythe
Paul Frew
Timothy Gaston
Paul Givan
Harry Harvey
Brian Kingston
Emma Little-Pengelly
Naomi Long
Gordon Lyons
Peter Martin
Michelle McIlveen
Andrew McMurray
Edwin Poots
Alan Robinson
Gavin Robinson (MP)
Gareth Wilson