To ask Her Majesty’s Government what political and financial assistance they are providing to strengthen and develop the structures and mechanisms for interreligious dialogue and co-operation in Iraq.
Answered on
20 February 2017
The UK Government promotes interreligious dialogue and co-operation in Iraq and the right to freedom of religion or belief for all of Iraq’s religious communities. At the political level, we urge the Government of Iraq consistently at senior levels to uphold the rights of all minorities. We also work to build international consensus on upholding freedom of religion or belief. In addition, we support practical projects on community dialogue with civil society and faith groups. For example, through the Foreign Office’s Magna Carta Fund, we have contributed £163,000 to support a project across several countries in the Middle East, including Iraq, to promote legal and social protection for freedom of religion or belief. This project aims to prevent intolerance and violence towards religious communities by inspiring leaders in Iraqi society to defend freedom of religion or belief.