Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, announced in late December that he had ordered an independent, global review into the persecution of Christians of all nationalities amid claims that not enough is being done to defend the rights of nearly 200 million Christians at risk of persecution today.
The unprecedented Foreign Office review will be led by the Bishop of Truro, the Right Revd Philip Mounstephen, and will make recommendations on the practical steps the Government can take to better support those under threat.
Christians specifically
It will be specifically directed at the persecution of Christians, and not religious minorities in general, reflecting the Foreign Secretary’s view that, since Christianity is the established faith in the UK, it is legitimate for the state resources to be devoted to the review. The review is due to report by Easter.
Hunt said: ‘So often the persecution of Christians is a telling early warning sign of the persecution of every minority.’ He added that Britain can and must do more to respond to the plight of persecuted Christians around the world.
Numbers killed doubled
It is claimed as many as 3,000 Christians were killed in 2018, double that of 2017.
An annual survey of the countries where Christian persecution is greatest, undertaken by Open Doors, put North Korea at the top of the list. Nine countries in the top 20 are places where the UK claims or seeks diplomatic influence, underlining how sensitive the inquiry may prove, if it is not to cause offence.
Hunt’s officials said he wants to use the review to consider some tough questions and offer ambitious policy recommendations. Britain already stands up for minorities across the world, including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Yazidis, and the Foreign Secretary is keen that Christians are offered the same level of backing.
