Christians in the Middle East

August 2016

I can assure you that the Government is motivated by deep concern for religious communities in the Middle East. Ministers have stressed the importance of guaranteeing religious freedom when working with the Lebanese Government and the new Government in Iraq. Additionally, the Government is prioritising reaching the most vulnerable people across Syria, including Christians and those who have suffered from the ongoing violence, with its extensive aid programme. 

In order to expand its efforts to tackle religious persecution, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has established a new expert advisory group, increasing training to improve its religious literacy and using these insights to inform Government work in international bodies and individual countries. In January, the FCO also announced the £10.6 million Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy 2016/17 programme, which encourages strong bids for projects focused on promoting freedom of religion or belief.

The Government continues to work with non-governmental organisations to seek improvements on the ground. I know that this has included funding groups such as Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an organisation that works to defend the freedom of religion or belief, both in the Middle East, and more widely.

I would like to thank you for bringing the 'Hope for the Middle East' event to my attention, and I will certainly endeavour to attend on October 12th.