As part of the Proclaim Freedom campaign we would like to encourage supporters to contact their elected representatives.
You could start by saying that you are concerned that Christians make up the “most harassed faith group”1 worldwide but that this issue does not appear to receive much attention from our government and elected representatives. Ask what your MP/the Government is doing to promote religious liberty, particularly for religious minorities suffering persecution, discrimination and disadvantage. Ask how high a priority they think this is and in particular what public statements they have made highlighting the global persecution of Christians. Your letter does not need to be long, but please be polite!
In the UK you can write to your MP at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or contact them via the
Find Your MP section of the Parliamentary website. Alternatively you could write to the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon. William Hague, at King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH.
We have drafted a sample letter, which is available to view below or in print form from your nearest Barnabas office. To maximise the effectiveness of your letter we suggest that you do not copy this word for word.
Sample letter to the UK Foreign Office.
Sample letter to member of UK Parliament.
Microsoft Word version of sample letter to the UK Foreign Office. Download
Microsoft Word version of sample letter to member of UK Parliament. Download
SAMPLE LETTER: UK MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
To:
Your MP’s name
House of Commons
Westminster
London SW1A 0AA
Your address here.
Dear
I am concerned that although Christians make up one of the largest groups of persecuted people worldwide, this issue does not appear to receive much attention from our government and elected representatives.
Are you aware that about 200 million Christians around the world live in contexts where they suffer persecution, discrimination and disadvantage because of their faith, that thousands are killed every year simply because they are Christians, and that the problem seems to be getting worse? And do you know that many of those who encourage hatred or engage in violence towards Christians are never brought to justice?
I would urge you to promote the basic human right of freedom of religion for all, and encourage our government to use diplomatic relations, bi-lateral ties, aid, and agreed international obligations on core human rights to pursue this goal. I would encourage you to promote justice for all and specifically to ensure that those who incite violence or act violently against Christian minorities are held accountable for their crimes by the authorities of the countries concerned.
Could you please answer the following questions:
- What is your Party doing to promote human rights and religious liberty, particularly for religious minorities suffering persecution, discrimination and disadvantage?
- How high a priority is this issue for you? In particular what public statements or actions have you personally made highlighting the very high level of persecution of Christians in so many countries around the world?
Thank you for considering this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Your name here.
You can find your MP’s name with your postcode
here.
SAMPLE LETTER: UK FOREIGN OFFICE
Please feel free to put this into your own words
To: The Rt Hon. William Hague MP
Foreign Secretary
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
Dear Mr Hague,
Your address here.
I am concerned that although Christians make up one of the largest groups of persecuted people worldwide, this issue does not appear to receive much attention from our government. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights and Democracy Report for 2011, page 57, claims that “Protecting religious freedoms and preventing discrimination on grounds of religion or belief are priority human rights issues for the UK Government”. The report then defines religious freedom in accordance with international human rights law.
Are you aware that about 200 million Christians around the world live in countries where either the constitution or domestic legislation or common social practice reinforces either overt religious persecution or significant and widespread discrimination on religious grounds?
Could you please tell me what concrete steps the Government has adopted to promote constitutional or legislative reforms that ensure that human rights and religious liberty in particular are enjoyed without distinction throughout the world?
What concrete steps has the Government taken to press other countries to bring to justice those who incite hatred or engage in violence against Christians?
How high a priority is the protection and promotion of religious freedom for you? In particular, what public statements or actions have you personally made highlighting the very high level of persecution of Christians in so many countries around the world?
To what extent has the Government used its international influence, through diplomatic relations, bi-lateral ties, aid, and agreed international obligations on core human rights, to pursue the goal of improved human rights and particularly a reduction in the extreme levels of persecution of Christians in many countries?
Yours sincerely,
Your name here.
1 Pew Foundation Report, Recent Restrictions on Religion, August 2011.
