Fiona Bruce is MP for Congleton

Pleased that my Bill to secure in statute the role & office of the PM’s Special Envoy for FoRB has today passed all House of Commons stages with strong support from Government Ministers and across the House https://parliamentlive.tv/Download/Index/bd15d52a-e286-4a48-be2c-6a0e986f3552

I welcome the Prime Minister’s highlighting of concerns regarding the persecution of Christians in his Easter message here:-

A privilege to chair the launch in the UK Parliament of the 2024 joint @CSW_UK @OpenDoorsUK @articleeighteen @MiddleEConcern report “Faceless Victims - Rights Violations against Christians in Iran”. A deeply moving meeting. Thanks to all who attended.

Delighted 3 speak on a panel at ⁦@IRFSummit⁩ w ⁦@IRF_Ambassador⁩, ⁦@nadinemaenza⁩, @RFInstitute on #IRFBA victories in 2023, incl working more closely with civil society, being bolder in calling out abuses & supporting prisoners of conscience, seeing 3 released!

Excellent turnout at today’s launch of the @OpenDoorsUK #WorldWatchList in the UK Parliament, including good friend @pmounstephen. Powerful testimonies challenged us all to redouble our efforts on behalf of the persecuted

As we celebrate the birth of our saviour with friends and families, I think of those who are apart from theirs for standing up for what they believe, especially Bishop Alvarez in #Nicaragua and Pastor Wang Yi in #China. I will keep working with #IRFBA colleagues for their release

Hosted an important discussion on this year’s disturbing events in #Manipur. Thank you to the #IRFBA Council of Experts members who took the time to brief FCDO colleagues this week. The situation must receive greater coverage from the world’s media. #FoRBforAll

A joy to witness the introduction into the House of Lords yesterday of my friend Philip, ⁦@pmounstephen⁩, formerly Bishop of Truro, now Lord Bishop of Winchester. I know he will be a powerful voice there for those persecuted for their religion or belief.

As Jewish communities around the world mark the first day of #Chanukah today, let us all strengthen our resolve to bring light into darkness, standing together against antisemitism and all forms of hatred or discrimination based on religion or belief

Honoured to speak with King Charles III regarding my role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief - a subject he has taken great personal interest in over many years. Thank you to ⁦@BishopAngaelos⁩ for hosting.

Delighted to receive the award for government leadership on freedom of religion or belief along with my excellent team ⁦@DavidBurrowesUK⁩ and ⁦@SueJBreeze⁩. ⁦Thanks ⁦@IrfSecretariat⁩ ⁦@Robert_Rehak⁩ #FoRB4All

Delighted to speak at the opening of this year’s #IRFBA Ministerial in Prague alongside ⁦⁦@JanLipavsky⁩ @DavidAltonHL⁩ and ⁦@NazilaGhanea⁩. Thank you ⁦@Robert_Rehak⁩ for hosting us #FoRB4All

Pleased to be able to host Parliamentarians today at an event to mark #RedWednesday - an important opportunity to remember Christians and all those around the world who are persecuted on account of their religion or belief @acn_uk

Iranian authorities’ recent arrests of Baha’i community members demonstrate the brutal treatment of religious minorities in #Iran. At the 78th Session of the UNGA, the UK co-sponsored the Resolution calling for Iran to end all persecution on the grounds of religion or belief.

Today marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. This day we stand in solidarity with those who are injured, and families of those who have lost loved ones, simply on account of what they believe. 1/2

I am horrified to learn of the violent attacks against Christians in #Jaranwala, Punjab, today. The UK stands in solidarity with persecuted Christians in Pakistan and around the world. We must defend freedom of religion or belief for all.

Congratulations to Lord Alton of Liverpool @DavidAltonHL on being awarded the 2023 Notre Dame Prize for Religious Liberty. Few awards are more well-deserved. It’s a privilege to know and work with him. @NDLawRLI @HelenaKennedyKC

Appalled to hear of the recent raids on peaceful Baha’i gatherings in #Yemen by armed Houthi gunmen. I call for their right to freedom of religion or belief to be protected and for all those detained to be released immediately.

As #IRFBA Chair I have issued a statement expressing grave concern at increasing intolerance and harassment against Christians around the world. We call for renewed efforts to protect their right to freedom of religion or belief. #FoRB4All

Deeply concerned at the sentencing of Rev Dr Hkalam Samson, a respected advocate for freedom of religion or belief in #Myanmar. I join my voice to those of others calling for his immediate release and for the release of all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar.

Deeply concerned by recent attacks in Nigeria’s Benue State, including against a funeral, IDP camp and worshippers at a church on Palm Sunday. I call on the Nigerian Government to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to account & protect people from further such attacks.

Thankful to live in a country where the Easter message can be so clearly expressed as by my colleague and Christian Nick Fletcher MP in the House of Commons last week. Remembering all who live in places where this is not possible.

A privilege to chair a meeting of survivors of religious persecution in #Iran who movingly told their stories, and to hear from @NazilaGhanea whose work as UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB is so deeply appreciated. These stories must be heard so everyone in Iran is #FreeToBelieve

Good, if heart-rending, to meet again with @UKBahaiOPA to get an update on challenges facing Baha’i s across the world and discuss what the international community might do in response @sabeti_padideh #Bahai

Time to catch up on this important and disturbing ⁦Free Tibet⁩ report on the destruction of Tibetan religious heritage, arbitrary detentions and torture. ⁦⁦@freetibetorg⁩ #Tibet

Glad to speak at the #IRFSummit2023 on the importance of monitoring and documenting early warning signs to help prevent mass atrocities. Underlined the UK government’s commitment to strengthening our approach, including by establishing a Mass Atrocity Prevention Hub.

Good to meet the Prime Minister, Rt Hon @RishiSunak MP, to discuss my annual report to him following my second year in office as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief #FoRB4All

Utterly dismayed to hear a priest was burnt to death in #Nigeria, another shot fleeing his burning church & 25 churchgoers abducted in Katsina State the same day. I call on the Government of Nigeria to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. @acn_uk @CSWadvocacy

Remembering at Christmas the many Christians who have lost their freedom due to their faith, including Zhang Zhan in China, Hanna Abdimalik in Somaliland and Maira Shahbaz in Pakistan. May the work of #IRFBA in 2023 help see Prisoners of Conscience released. #FoRB4All

In Iran there is no let-up for persecuted minorities while the regime pursues its vicious crackdown on dissent. The UK condemns the sentencing of Baha’i leaders #MahvashSabet and Fariba Kamalabadi to a further decade in prison. #FoRB4All #Bahai

Best wishes and a very happy #Chanukah to Jewish people all over the world. We will continue to stand with you and against #antisemitism in all its forms. #ChanukahSameach

Honoured to be presented with the Conservative MP of the Year award by the @UKPatchwork Foundation last night, in recognition of my work to promote FoRB for all, particularly those persecuted, and for engaging with young people on this issue

The detention of Revd Hkalam Samson in #Myanmar is a further sign of the military regime’s persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, and its denial of the right to FoRB. On #HumanRightsDay2022 I call for his release, along with thousands of other political detainees.

On #HumanRightsDay2022, remembering those so brutally persecuted in North Korea over decades. You are not forgotten. #FoRB4All #StandUp4HumanRights

Glad to join @amnesty and UK Parliament @HumanRightsAPPG to mark #HumanRightsDay by standing with brave individuals like human rights lawyer and activist, Chow Hang-tung, imprisoned in Hong Kong for protesting peacefully #WriteforRights

No one should be targeted for what they believe. On this #RedWednesday, the FCDO is lit up in red in solidarity with the millions of Christians around the world who are targeted and persecuted for what they hold in their hearts. @ACNUK_CO @FCDOHumanRights

So good to talk with people of different faiths and beliefs at a meeting in Parliament to celebrate #InterFaithWeek 2022. Thankyou to the Interfaith Network for facilitating this event @IFNetUK

Did you know that in 12 countries you could face the death penalty for criticising or changing religion? Today the #IRFBA has issued a statement in firm opposition to #blasphemy laws and other laws that penalise those who exercise their right to FoRB.

Congratulations to the ⁦@UKFoRBForum⁩ on its second anniversary and on its growth in numbers and impact - sharing FoRB learning, concerns and expertise across the UK and beyond. #FoRB4All

A delight once again to be at the Baha’i Annual Parliamentary Reception and to see people from many faiths and beliefs supporting concerns about discrimination against the Baha’i community across the world. ⁦@henblyth⁩ ⁦@sabeti_padideh⁩ ⁦@UKBahaiOPA⁩

Delighted to have visited #Algeria last week to discuss freedom of religion or belief and to have been given such a warm welcome by so many individuals and groups. Look forward to continuing the dialogue.

Saddened at the passing of Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, but grateful for his life of service and his example of bravery. He was an inspiration for so many in promoting #FoRB across the world. @OpenDoorsUK

Today, the International Day to Commemorate Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, I remember those who have been killed for what they believe, and pledge to keep working to end persecution on the grounds of faith or belief #FoRBVictimsDay

The UK Government is dismayed at the oppression of members of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. Freedom of Religion or Belief is a universal human right, and must be protected for everyone. #FoRBforAll ⁦@ChrisTrott⁩ ⁦@BenLysterBinns⁩

People of faith/belief everywhere must be able to worship in safety. I am concerned by reports of attacks on Christians and on churches in #Nigeria . The UK government urges the Nigerian Government to tackle the root causes of violence and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Concerned by reports Baha’i community in Iran are facing increasing persecution, with houses demolished, land confiscated & leaders arrested. This should have no place in 2022. Art. 18 UDHR is clear: #FoRB should be protected for everyone, everywhere.

Sending the UK Ahmadiyya Muslim Community my very best wishes for your 56th Jalsa Salana this weekend. I pledge to keep working with international partners for a world where everyone is free to follow their religion or belief without persecution or discrimination #JalsaUK ⁦

Congratulations to @NazilaGhanea on being appointed the next UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB. An excellent appointment! Grateful to @AhmedShaheed for his work. Look forward to continuing to work closely with both, including through the IRFBA Council of Experts

Here is a brilliant video, which gives a flavour of our International Ministerial Conference this week. Thank you so much to everyone who worked so hard to organise it and to all those who came and shared their expertise and ideas #FoRBforAll