Bishop of Coventry asks Government about situation of Bahá’ís and religious minorities in Yemen

On 19th July 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question of Government about the situation facing Bahá’ís and other religious minorities in Yemen:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation facing Bahá’ís and other religious minorities in Yemen. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about situation of Bahá’ís and religious minorities in Yemen”

Bishop of Southwark – UNHCR criteria for deciding refugee vulnerability should include religion

 On the 18th July 2017, the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question about the UNHCR’s assessment of refugees.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether they have made any representations to the UNHCR concerning that agency’s understanding of vulnerability, with a view to redefining that definition to include religion as one of the criteria used to identify those refugees most in need of assistance. [HL705]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark – UNHCR criteria for deciding refugee vulnerability should include religion”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government if freedom of religion or belief will be on 2018 Commonwealth Summit agenda

On the 18th July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question about the agenda of the 2018 Commonwealth Summit

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include freedom of religion or belief on the agenda of the 2018 Commonwealth Summit. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government if freedom of religion or belief will be on 2018 Commonwealth Summit agenda”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to raise the case of Asia Bibi with Pakistan

On 12th July 2017 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian detained in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the adjournment of Asia Bibi’s appeal, what representations, if any, they have made on her behalf to the government of Pakistan regarding reports that (1) there is a lack of information about when her appeal will be heard, and (2) that she is still being kept in solitary confinement. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to raise the case of Asia Bibi with Pakistan”

Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Turkey and confiscation of church property

SouthwarkOn 11th July 2017 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received written answers to three questions on Turkey; on religious freedom, confiscation of church properties and the Hagia Sophia.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what assessment they have made of recent reports that the Turkish Governor of Mardin has confiscated some 60 properties, including churches, monasteries and cemeteries. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Turkey and confiscation of church property”

Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief

On 6th July 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received two written answers, on freedom of religion or belief and violence towards people because of their faith, gender or sexuality:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to create an ambassador-level champion for freedom of religion or belief. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief”

Caroline Spelman raises Christian persecution worldwide and blasphemy case in Pakistan

On 4th July 2017 the House of Commons debated a motion from Jim Shannon MP (DUP), ‘That this House has considered persecution of Christians and the role of UK embassies.’ The Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, spoke in the debate:

Dame Caroline Spelman (Meriden) (Con): Thank you, Mr Hanson, for calling me because I omitted to put in to speak last night, for which I apologise. It was an oversight, but one that I should not have committed.

An interesting cross-section of Members of Parliament is in attendance to support my hon. Friend the Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) who, as chair of the all-party group on international freedom of religion or belief, had the foresight to call for this debate. We welcome to the Chamber new Members who are showing their concern for the persecuted, and returning Members who we know through their faith will take a stand for the persecuted. As my hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Kevin Foster) so eloquently put it, we are all here to show our solidarity, and that is the important point. Some Members may not even speak, but we are numerous and we wish the persecuted out there to know that. Continue reading “Caroline Spelman raises Christian persecution worldwide and blasphemy case in Pakistan”

Bishop of Coventry asks about blasphemy laws in Pakistan

Bp Coventry May 2015On the 3rd July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth received an answer to a written question about the death sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan.

Lord Bishop of Coventry: Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding the death sentence handed down by Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court on 10 June to Taimoor Raza, a Shi’a Muslim, for allegedly committing blasphemy on Facebook.

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about blasphemy laws in Pakistan”

Bishop of Coventry asks about blasphemy laws in Indonesia

On 29th June 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question on blasphemy laws in Indonesia:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked Her Majesty’s Government: what representations they have made to the government of Indonesia in respect of Indonesia’s blasphemy laws following the two-year prison sentence handed down on 9 May to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the former Christian Governor of Jakarta, for allegedly committing blasphemy against Islam. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about blasphemy laws in Indonesia”

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

On 29th June 2017 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question on freedom of religion and belief in Indonesia:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked Her Majesty’s Government: what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion and belief in Indonesia”