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.
Continue reading “Freedom of religion or belief and the UK general election: what do the manifestos say?”
