97 Parliamentarians attended or were represented at the launch of the 2018 World Watch List in parliament, which was hosted by Theresa Villiers MP. Parliamentarians and other guests heard testimonies from Michael*, a Christian business man from Egypt, Hannah* from Pakistan, and Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland, who called on parliamentarians to act on behalf of persecuted Christians.
97 Parliamentarians attended or were represented at the launch of the 2018 World Watch List in Parliament, which was hosted by Theresa Villiers MP. Parliamentarians and other guests heard testimonies from Michael*, a Christian businessman from Egypt, Hannah* from Pakistan, and Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland, who called on parliamentarians to act on behalf of persecuted Christians.
The launch was attended by church leaders, journalists, Peers and 87 MPs, including Vince Cable MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, and Owen Smith MP, amongst others.
The World Watch List launch was a packed event, and it’s all thanks to people like you speaking out for your persecuted church family and contacting your MP. Your voice is putting freedom of religion or belief higher on the agenda of our leaders. Stephen Timms MP says, "What's striking about Open Doors and the World Watch List initiative is just how much support there is for it from our constituents." Hear more from him below:
Theresa Villiers MP opened the event highlighting that while violent persecution is serious, non-violent persecution can be just as debilitating, and imploring those in the room to act to help. “The commonwealth heads of government conference in London this year is a good opportunity to promote international freedom of religion and belief,” she said.
Hannah from Pakistan told of many Christians in her community who had suffered for their faith. She shared the horrific story of her cousin saying, "I wish I stood here to tell you that Saima* had been awarded a government award as an advocate for the rights of young women. But sadly I am unable to. Like nearly 600 other young girls each year, Saima, was coerced, raped, her family did not know where she was for days, until they finally heard she was forced to become a Muslim and marry her oppressor. She had just joined law school. She was forced to give up her studies, her dream and the church family she so loved. I wish I could tell you there was justice was Saima, but I cannot because Saima’s family were threatened that if they dared to make a sound, Saima would be accused of blasphemy and so would they."
Michael told parliament of the violent attacks and the church buildings which are being destroyed in Egypt, saying that people in Egypt see churches as a 'symbol of evil and a threat to their dominant established culture'. But while these attacks are widely reported around the world, the daily squeeze and suffocation of Christians goes unnoticed. To illustrate his point Michael held up a ball of shredded CVs saying, “This is what happened to Christian’s CVs and their dreams. In spite of his 30 years of hard work in a public sector company, my father was never allowed to head his department because of his faith. This is the case now with my wife.” But he said, “The church in Egypt refuses to kneel down to fear.”
Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland then summarised the findings of the report, including the rapid growth of persecution against Christians citing religious nationalism as a key driver.
Open Doors has been campaigning to put freedom of religion or belief on the government's agenda, which, as Lisa notes, is happening,"The UK government is definitely becoming more aware of the issues facing Christians and other minorities in the countries which we engage with. I was encouraged to have a meeting with the Prime Minister in December with an Iraqi church leader where Theresa May could hear more about the Christian minority there, whose plight she referenced in her Christmas message, and by Lord Ahmed’s focus on freedom of religion and belief as part of his wider human rights brief.
"We are also encouraged by the increasing number of questions being asked by MPs regarding the extent to which countries where the UK is engaging through aid or trade are fulfilling their obligation to the international right to freedom of religion or belief. I know some of you here have been part of that – thank you."
Echoing Theresa Villers, Lisa said, "It is vital that the UK government use all its influence – through its foreign policy, aid and trade agreements and its broader influence within the international community – to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is established and then protected around the world. One opportunity unique to 2018 is the meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of State in London. This is a chance for the United Kingdom to lead the way in reminding the eight Commonwealth countries found on Open Doors’ 2018 World Watch List of the importance of the right to freedom of religion or belief. Let’s be brave – let’s lead.”
Concluding the event Lisa said, “There are no easy fixes – but I ask that our government renew its effort and use all possible influence within the international community to begin to reverse the squeeze of persecution in these 50 countries and beyond. The need can seem overwhelming but all we are responsible for is that which is in our hands to do.”
Each attendee received a copy of the 2018 World Watch List report, Death by a thousand cuts: the rise of non-violent persecution as a tool of suppression, which details the key findings, trends and countries of special concern. The report also recommends the following:
*names changed for security reasons
The room was incredibly 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 in alphabetical order. If your MP is on the list, you may wish to thank them for coming.
MPS WHO SENT A REPRESENTATIVE
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