Around the world, hundreds of thousands of people face discrimination, marginalisation, harassment, intimidation, violence and even persecution for their religion or belief. At the same time, in the policy circles of many countries, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is increasingly gaining prominence and being recognised as inextricably connected with wider human rights initiatives.
As the political parties in the UK release their manifestos for the July 2024 General Election, it is essential they take into account the current status of FoRB in the foreign policy landscape. This is a tricky landscape to navigate.
Foreign policy is not typically a hot electoral issue, and of course much depends on the internal and external political situations, among other considerations. Yet it is essential for parties to formulate a position on effectiveness in this field, for both ethical and practical reasons. The former lies in the responsibility of a modern democracy to have a principled approach to the world; the ethical responsibility inherent in working for the welfare of others who are less fortunate. The latter dictates that international relations and trade are best conducted with partners who respect human rights and are intolerant of any kind of inhumanity.
Successful foreign policy involves the ability of a nation to use its influence to maximise what is good and minimise what is bad, and in so doing, being prepared to work within its own institutions and to foster alliances and networks with like-minded countries. So, there is good reason for exploring how their manifestos and policy statements help voters understand the stance of each party running for government on how the UK could influence state and non-state actors in cases involving the abuse or violation of FoRB.
The integration of FoRB into foreign policy within the manifestos of the major political parties underscores a broader commitment to human rights and reflects an evolving understanding of the role that FoRB can play in shaping international relations.
Leveraging human rights in foreign policy: a key component of freedom of religion or belief integration
FoRB is a fundamental human right enshrined in several international declarations and treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Political parties recognise that advocating for FoRB aligns with their broader commitment to upholding human rights globally.
The Labour Party had given earlier indications that FoRB would be an essential component of its human rights agenda. However, there is no specific commitment to promoting or protecting FoRB in its manifesto, and very few references to human rights generally. The initial mention of human rights is as follows: ‘We will uphold human rights and international law’. In a later mention, the party asserts that ‘Britain will unequivocally remain a member of the European Convention on Human Rights.’
The Conservative Party has taken a robust stance on FoRB, integrating it into their foreign policy framework as a crucial aspect of their human rights advocacy. Their manifesto continues to emphasise the appointment of a Special Envoy for FoRB, tasked with monitoring and addressing violations, and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and tolerance.
In addition to this, the manifesto highlights violations of FoRB in China, committing to imposing sanctions on human rights violators, and emphasising the need to support targeted communities around the world: ‘China has disregarded universal human rights and its international commitments, from Tibet and Xinjiang to Hong Kong. We will continue to raise our grave concerns at the UN and other fora and use asset freezes and travel bans on those involved under our human rights sanctions regime. Additionally, we will support marginalized communities in the developing world and protect those persecuted for their ethnicity, political views, faith, or sexuality.’
The Liberal Democrats’ manifesto emphasises upholding democracy, liberty, human rights, and the rule of law, while restoring Britain’s role as an international development superpower. They aim to counter the global rise in authoritarianism by championing a liberal, rules-based international order and supporting institutions such as the UN, the Commonwealth, NATO, and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Key initiatives include using the UK’s Magnitsky sanctions to address human rights abuses in China, standing with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and recognising the persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang as genocide. They also seek to provide safe, legal passages for those fleeing Afghanistan, support Afghan refugees in the UK, increase humanitarian aid to Sudan, advocate for democratic governance and the prosecution of war crimes, and ensure safe and legal routes for refugees.
The FoRB policies articulated by the Lib Dems are by far the most robust out of the three major parties. They have also committed to appointing an ambassador-level Champion for Freedom of Belief.
Trade and aid policies: promoting freedom of religion or belief through economic instruments
Trade and aid have their origins in the belief that a more economically interconnected world would be conducive to goodwill and peace.
The UK has a strong and growing tradition of promoting human rights and democracy among countries with which it has trade relations, increasingly over the last two years, under the post-Brexit independent trade policy. The 2024 manifestos should have sought to make recommendations that will enable the UK to integrate FoRB effectively into its independent trade policy. By linking trade agreements with commitments to uphold this right, parties should aim to create economic incentives for countries to improve their FoRB records.
The Liberal Democrats have proposed the inclusion of human rights clauses, including FoRB clauses, in all new trade agreements. These clauses would require trading partners to demonstrate a commitment to protecting FoRB as a condition for preferential trade terms. They pledge to ban ‘imports from areas with egregious abuses such as Xinjiang’ and other areas known for human rights abuses, and to control arms exports licenses to countries with poor human rights records. They also propose building new diplomatic, economic and security partnerships with democratic countries threatened by China, including Taiwan. This approach aims to leverage the UK’s economic influence to promote FoRB globally.
The Green Party’s manifesto highlights the importance of ethical trade practices, including the protection of human rights. The party proposes a comprehensive review of existing trade agreements to ensure they align with human rights principles, and advocates for multilateral trade agreements that prioritise human rights.
Foreign aid is a powerful tool for promoting FoRB, as it enables the UK to support initiatives and organisations that work to protect and enhance this right in vulnerable regions. It fosters stability and promotes human rights, while also enhancing the UK’s diplomatic relations and advancing its geopolitical interests. The incoming government can utilise foreign aid to promote FoRB by directing funds towards initiatives that protect religious minorities, support interfaith dialogue, and strengthen legal frameworks to prevent discrimination and violence, thereby promoting global human rights and enhancing international stability.
Immigration policy and freedom of religion or belief: balancing national security and human rights
Immigration policy is another critical area where FoRB can be integrated to support individuals fleeing violations, and to foster a diverse and inclusive society.
Both the Conservative and Labour parties have promised caps on immigration. We can only hope that these policies do not affect those fleeing human rights violations, including human rights defenders. The Conservatives are aiming to repair relationships with EU diplomats and engage in ‘joined-up’ advocacy, while the Labour Party seeks to build closer ties between UK and EU mechanisms.
The Green Party’s immigration policy proposes the creation of safe pathways for refugees fleeing persecution. They emphasise the importance of providing support and integration services to ensure that these individuals can rebuild their lives in the UK.
The integration of freedom of religion or belief as a human rights priority in foreign policy
The integration of FoRB into foreign policy by UK political parties for the 2024 general election signifies a welcome and significant step towards a more human rights-oriented approach to international relations. By leveraging human rights, trade, aid, and immigration policies, these parties are not only committing to protect and promote FoRB but also recognising its broader contribution to global peace, stability, and prosperity.
As voters head to the polls, the prominence of FoRB in political discourse reflects a growing consensus on the importance of defending freedom of religion or belief as a cornerstone of a just and equitable world.
By CSW’s UK Liaison Officer Chibuzor