Algeria: Oppression
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports concerning religious oppression in Kabylie, including the closure of churches in the region.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.
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