Tag: foreign affairs

Bishop of Leicester makes final speech in the Lords – religious freedom

On 16th July 2015 the House of Lords debated a motion by Lord Alton of Liverpool, “that this House takes note of worldwide violations of Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the case for greater priority to be given by the United Kingdom and the international community to upholding freedom of religion and belief.” During the debate the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Tim Stevens, gave his final speech before his retirement. A video of his speech can also be viewed here. Extracts from the speeches of other members taking part in the debate, paying tribute to the Bishop of Leicester, are also included below.

LeicesterThe Lord Bishop of Leicester (Valedictory Speech): My Lords, I want to add my thanks to that of so many others to the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for bringing this matter before us, not least as it provides me with an opportunity to make a final speech to your Lordships’ House on a matter of such overwhelming importance. Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester makes final speech in the Lords – religious freedom”

Archbishop of Canterbury on freedom of religion and belief

“Where a state claims the ultimate right to oppress religious freedom, it stops the last and the strongest barrier against tyranny.” – Archbishop of Canterbury, 16/7/15

On 16th July 2015 the House of Lords debated a motion by Lord Alton of Liverpool, “that this House takes note of worldwide violations of Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the case for greater priority to be given by the United Kingdom and the international community to upholding freedom of religion and belief.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, spoke in the debate. A video of his speech can also be viewed here.

ABC Lords 160715 bThe Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak in the debate and I thank the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for securing it and for all the work he has undertaken in this area over many years. I associate myself very closely with what he said in his very eloquent opening speech and also with the speeches of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay, and the noble Lord, Lord McFall. I also pay tribute to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Leicester. He will be much missed by this House and I will miss him enormously for the wise advice he has given me on numerous occasions.

We have already heard many examples of the horrific situations around the world where people are persecuted for their religion or for their absence of religion. I witnessed such persecution in its rawest form many times during my visits in 2013 and 2014 to the 37 other provinces of the Anglican communion. Almost half of these provinces are living under persecution; they fear for their lives every day.

Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury on freedom of religion and belief”

Bishop of Coventry asks about religious clerics in Saudi Arabia

On 8th July 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written reply to a question on Saudi Arabia.

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the steps taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat exclusionary and intolerant interpretations of religious texts by religious clerics. [HL863] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about religious clerics in Saudi Arabia”

Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia

On Tuesday 7th July 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written response to a question on Indonesia.


Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the government of Indonesia in its efforts to provide greater legislative protection for freedom of religion or belief in that country. [HL861] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia”

Bishop of Coventry asks about human rights and religious tolerance in Burma

On Tuesday 7th July the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written reply to a question on Burma. 

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Myanmar concerning the Population Control Health Care Law and how it can be implemented in a nondiscriminatory way. [HL864]

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about human rights and religious tolerance in Burma”

Bishop of Chester speaks in debate on the future of Gaza

14.03 Bishop of ChesterOn the Monday 6th June 2015 the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke during a debate on the future of Gaza. The Bishop spoke of his experiences visiting the region and suggested that addressing the economic disparity between Israel and Gaza was the most pressing concern in preventing history repeating itself.

Continue reading “Bishop of Chester speaks in debate on the future of Gaza”

‘We cannot shirk our responsibility to be a force for good in the world’, Bishop of Worcester tells Peers

“We cannot shirk our responsibility to be a force for good in the world. The type of challenges highlighted by this debate can be managed only in partnership with others—working to win hearts and minds, as well as being involved in any defence initiatives.” – Bishop of Worcester, 2/7/15

On Thursday 2nd July 2015 the Lords debated a motion moved by Lord Ashdown of Norton–sub-Hamdon ‘that this House takes note of the United Kingdom’s role in addressing global challenges posed by terrorism, conflict, climate change and mass migration’. The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd John Inge, spoke in the debate.

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I begin by expressingmy profound sadness in the wake of the recent horrific terrorist attacks. A student from the University of Worcester was killed in Tunisia, which brought home to people locally that these problems are not “out there”. It demonstrated very clearly the connectivity, of which the noble Lord, Lord WorcesterAshdown, spoke so eloquently.

What should our response be to the unprecedented times described so well by the noble Lord? While recognising that we have faced more difficult times, as the First World War commemorations remind us, we need to hold on to the strategic objectives that have underpinned British foreign policy since 1945 but adapt them for these new circumstances. We need to recognise that, although we live in an unprecedentedly connected world, it remains fractured and broken, and we need to work ever harder in partnership with others for the global common good. Continue reading “‘We cannot shirk our responsibility to be a force for good in the world’, Bishop of Worcester tells Peers”

Tunisia terror attacks – Bishop of St Albans calls for community relations to be strengthened at home

On 29th June 2015 the House of Lords heard the Leader of the House repeat a statement by the Prime Minister on the terrorist attacks in Tunisia. In questions to the Leader after the statement, the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, focused on the need to strengthen community relations in the UK. 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, we, too, on these Benches send our sympathies to those who have been bereaved and those who are injured. It is deeply concerning that Tunisia, a relatively peaceful haven in a part of the world in which there are many tensions, has now had this attack. Does the Minister agree that it calls for a renewed emphasis on working to strengthen community relations here in this country? The danger is that the events from Tunisia, Kuwait, Kobani and France could inflame ethnic and other violence and inspire copycat attacks here in this country. Continue reading “Tunisia terror attacks – Bishop of St Albans calls for community relations to be strengthened at home”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Christians in Iraq and freedom of religion or belief

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the long-term future of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq; and what steps they are taking to assist Iraq’s religious minorities. [HL551] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Christians in Iraq and freedom of religion or belief”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about post-conflict and reconciliation work in Iraq

On 24th June 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received two written answers on political reconciliation and post-conflict work in Iraq.


Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their most recent assessment of the steps taken by the government of Iraq to encourage political reconciliation and the move towards an inclusive framework of government in Iraq. [HL548] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about post-conflict and reconciliation work in Iraq”