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Baha'i Faith: Religious Freedom

Asked by Satvir KaurLabourForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 13 February 2025UIN 29849

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve freedom of religion for Baháʼís globally.

Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer

The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding.

The continued systematic targeting of the Baha'i community, which includes unfair arrest and detention, land grabs, and denial of burial rights, is unacceptable. We are committed to working with international partners to hold countries to account for its repression of the Bahai's, and other religious or belief minorities, including at the United Nations.

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