UK: Deputy Prime Minister asked to step up action for persecuted religious minorities

In a packed House of Commons, the UK Deputy Prime Minister yesterday responded to an urgent #RedWednesday appeal to address the spiraling human rights abuses affecting millions of Christians and religious minorities worldwide.  

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions, citing research from Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that highlighted the worsening crisis of religious persecution and discrimination around the world.

He said: “Today is #RedWednesday in which we remember all those persecuted for their belief worldwide.

“A recent report by Aid to the Church in Need shows that in the countries surveyed persecution of minorities has increased by 60 percent.

“In light of this, will the Government commit to reappointing the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, a post which has remained vacant since July?”

Standing in for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner replied: “We are committed to championing human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief.

“I join the right honourable member in marking #RedWednesday; an important moment to show support for all those persecuted around the world for their religion or belief. 

“Today we’ll light up the FCDO buildings around the UK in red in support of that.” 

She continued: “Envoy roles are under consideration… and will be decided upon in due course.”

The exchange took place on #RedWednesday, ACN’s annual day of remembrance for the persecuted Church.

In the UK, the day began with a drop-in event in the Houses of Parliament and there was an evening #RedWednesday meeting at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. 

All day, across the UK and around the world there were #RedWednesday activities including prayer, fundraising and advocacy involving schools, colleges and churches.

In the UK buildings lit red included Westminster Abbey, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office buildings, cathedrals, churches, schools and civic buildings.

Among the landmarks participating overseas were Notre Dame de Paris, Sandor Palace in Hungary and St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. 

ACN (UK)’s #RedWednesday commemorations concluded with Mass at the Brompton Oratory church, also lit up red, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster Nicholas Hudson, with Archbishop Linus Neli of the Archdiocese of Imphal, India, concelebrating along with Monsignor Dr Michael Nazir-Ali.

Ribqa Nevash, a young Christian woman originally from Pakistan and now in the UK, was presented with the ACN (UK) #RedWednesday Courage to be Christian Award, for her outspoken advocacy work on behalf of those persecuted for their faith. 

In attendance at the Mass were representatives of Churches including Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London Angaelos, Anglican Bishop of Winchester Philip Mounstephen, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of London and London-based Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Athanasius Toma of the UK.