To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Bishop of Truro’s independent review for the Foreign Secretary on the persecution of Christians, what discussions they have had with the government of India following attacks over the Christmas period in various Indian states on churches, Christian schools, and mission facilities, including the vandalism of a statue of Jesus in Ambala at a church in Haryana State.
Answered on
26 January 2022
We condemn any instances of discrimination because of religion or belief, regardless of the country or faith involved. We look to India to uphold all freedoms and rights guaranteed in its strong constitution and by the international instruments to which India is a party. We engage with India on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with non-governmental organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. Where we have concerns, we raise them directly with the Government of India, including at ministerial level.
The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India regularly meet religious representatives and engage with Indian faith communities. The UK will host an international Ministerial conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in 2022 to energise collective efforts on this agenda, demonstrating our enduring commitment to promoting FoRB for all. We also work with the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, G7 and other multilateral fora to promote FoRB.