1-20 of 1,548 results for subject:Blasphemy
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To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international counterparts regarding the enforcement of blasphemy laws in Egypt, notwithstanding constitutional protections for freedom of religion or belief; and what assessment they have made of the risks posed to Coptic Christians.
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international counterparts regarding the enforcement of blasphemy laws in Egypt, notwithstanding constitutional protections for freedom of religion or belief; and what assessment they have made of the risks posed to Coptic Christians.
The Egyptian Government has stated a firm commitment to protect the rights of Coptic Christians and their freedom of worship, and protections for freedom of religion are mandated in the Egyptian constitution. The UK champions freedom of religion or belief for all and regularly discusses human rights concerns with the Government of Egypt and international counterparts, and will continue to do so, where appropriate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Pakistani counterpart on the denial of bail to Nadeem Masih; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help tackle the impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws on freedom of religion or...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Pakistani counterpart on the denial of bail to Nadeem Masih; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help tackle the impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws on freedom of religion or...
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 October to question 75585.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that a Christian researcher in Egypt has been sentenced under blasphemy laws, including the potential impact on religious minorities freedom in that country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that a Christian researcher in Egypt has been sentenced under blasphemy laws, including the potential impact on religious minorities freedom in that country.
The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 101933.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of reports that allegations of blasphemy are being used to incite mob violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of reports that allegations of blasphemy are being used to incite mob violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The UK condemns the murder of Dipu Chandra Das, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. We welcome the public commitments made by the Government of Bangladesh to the safety of minorities and the arrests already made in this case. More widely, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 November in response to Question 86282, and I can confirm that Baroness Chapman raised the issue of religious violence during her trip to Bangladesh in November.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Government of Bangladesh regarding reports of the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh on 18 December 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Government of Bangladesh regarding reports of the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh on 18 December 2025.
The UK condemns the murder of Dipu Chandra Das, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. We welcome the public commitments made by the Government of Bangladesh to the safety of minorities and the arrests already made in this case. More widely, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 November in response to Question 86282, and I can confirm that Baroness Chapman raised the issue of religious violence during her trip to Bangladesh in November.
Yes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance, and it is important that I do so.
Yes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance, and it is important that I do so.
Q5
.
Graham Stringer (Blackley and Middleton South) (Lab):
This country can be proud of its history of religious tolerance and religious freedom. The quid pro quo for that is the right to criticise religion. Can the Prime Minister assure the House that there will be no introduction or reintroduction of a blasphemy law, either by statute, judicial overreach or a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia?
Q5
.
Graham Stringer (Blackley and Middleton South) (Lab):
This country can be proud of its history of religious tolerance and religious freedom. The quid pro quo for that is the right to criticise religion. Can the Prime Minister assure the House that there will be no introduction or reintroduction of a blasphemy law, either by statute, judicial overreach or a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia?
Q5
.
Graham Stringer (Blackley and Middleton South) (Lab):
This country can be proud of its history of religious tolerance and religious freedom. The quid pro quo for that is the right to criticise religion. Can the Prime Minister assure the House that there will be no introduction or reintroduction of a blasphemy law, either by statute, judicial overreach or a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia?
Yes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance, and it is important that I do so.
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan concerning blasphemy charges against Rasheed Masih; and what steps they are taking to ensure his release.
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan concerning blasphemy charges against Rasheed Masih; and what steps they are taking to ensure his release.
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given in the House of Commons on 12 June in response to Question 58220, which I have reproduced below for ease of reference:
The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels - pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those accused. In March 2025, the Minister for the Middle East raised the heated discourse around blasphemy with Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior. Lord Khan of Burnley raised the misuse of blasphemy laws when he met Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs in April 2025. We are not prepared to discuss the detail of individual cases where to do so could put individuals and their families at risk.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities.
The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels, pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those accused, and safety of those released. I (Minister Falconer) raised the rights of religious minorities and blasphemy laws when I met Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on 31 March 2025. Lord Khan of Burnley raised the misuse of blasphemy laws when he met Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on 16 April 2025. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to establishing a relationship and holding wide-ranging discussions with her Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar already having met in New York.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on people imprisoned under blasphemy laws for exercising religious beliefs in that country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on people imprisoned under blasphemy laws for exercising religious beliefs in that country.
This Government remains deeply concerned by the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, particularly where they are used to target individuals for peacefully exercising their religion or belief. We regularly raise this issue at senior levels, urging Pakistani authorities to uphold due process, ensure fair trials, and protect those at risk. In March and June 2025, I raised concerns about freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) with Pakistani ministers. Working with the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, we are committed to championing the right to FoRB for all around the world - promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work, and our programme funding.
First of all, on behalf of my party, may I covey our thoughts and prayers for the people involved in the air crash in India? I think it is appropriate that we do so.
I wish to raise the urgent case of prisoner of conscience Junaid Hafeez, a Pakistani lecturer who...
First of all, on behalf of my party, may I covey our thoughts and prayers for the people involved in the air crash in India? I think it is appropriate that we do so.
I wish to raise the urgent case of prisoner of conscience Junaid Hafeez, a Pakistani lecturer who...
May I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue? The Government remain deeply concerned about the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan, and those conversations between our Government and other Governments happen continuously. The Foreign Secretary is in his place, so I am sure that...
May I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue? The Government remain deeply concerned about the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan, and those conversations between our Government and other Governments happen continuously. The Foreign Secretary is in his place, so I am sure that...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that blasphemy laws are not reintroduced.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that blasphemy laws are not reintroduced.
The government has been clear that there is no blasphemy law in England, and we will not introduce one. Everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of speech. All language adopted by government must be accurate and acknowledge British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.
That this House reaffirms its unwavering commitment to freedom of expression as a fundamental pillar of British democracy; notes with concern recent efforts, both formal and informal, to reintroduce blasphemy-style restrictions under the guise of hate crime, or public order; recalls that the UK formally abolished its blasphemy laws in 2008, recognising that in a free society, no religion or belief system, including Islam, should be immune from criticism, debate, satire or offence; and calls on the Government to issue clear guidance to police forces, public bodies and educational institutions that the United Kingdom upholds freedom of thought, speech, and expression, including the right to criticise, mock, or reject religious ideas, and that it will not tolerate any drift, intentional or otherwise, toward the reintroduction of blasphemy laws in any form whatsoever.
That this House reaffirms its unwavering commitment to freedom of expression as a fundamental pillar of British democracy; notes with concern recent efforts, both formal and informal, to reintroduce blasphemy-style restrictions under the guise of hate crime, or public order; recalls that the UK formally abolished its blasphemy laws in...
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific legal and judicial expertise they are funding to support legislative changes aimed at protecting freedom of religion or belief in countries with blasphemy laws.
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific legal and judicial expertise they are funding to support legislative changes aimed at protecting freedom of religion or belief in countries with blasphemy laws.
The Government is deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws that undermine human rights including freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and freedom of expression. The UK regularly raises FoRB issues in multilateral fora and our important bilateral work.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office continues to work with countries (or governments) that request support on legislative reform through our programme funding, including the John Bunyan Fund, a designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects, and the Rule of Law Expertise (ROLE UK) programme.
Together with our partners, including the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute and the UK legal sector, we are supporting efforts across seven countries in this area, including on increasing knowledge on international standards and protections through existing legislation.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 6 February (HL4583), what specific measures they are taking to address the root causes of marginalisation of minority faith communities in Nigeria, and what targeted support they are providing to protect individuals' freedom of religion...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 6 February (HL4583), what specific measures they are taking to address the root causes of marginalisation of minority faith communities in Nigeria, and what targeted support they are providing to protect individuals' freedom of religion...
The UK supports programmes working to address the root causes of intercommunal violence in Nigeria through locally led peace-building efforts. Through our Strengthening Peace and Resilience programme ('SPRING') the UK is providing £38 million to reduce rural violence in northwest and north-central Nigeria, including by supporting collaboration and productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists, and strengthening conflict early warning, management and response. The UK Government also funds the provision of legal and judicial expertise to make legislative changes to protect Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), including addressing blasphemy laws. The right of individuals to express their beliefs or non-belief is essential to a free and open society. Our dialogue on human rights, including FoRB, will remain an important part of the UK's partnership with Nigeria.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 24223 on Freedom of Expression, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of introducing a definition of Islamophobia on legal rights to freedom of expression relating...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 24223 on Freedom of Expression, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of introducing a definition of Islamophobia on legal rights to freedom of expression relating...
The Government has established a new working group to provide government with a definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, advising government and other bodies on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims. The group’s proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The Government has been clear that there is no blasphemy law in England, and we will not introduce one.
To ask His Majesty's Government which department is currently working on blasphemy-related extremism; and following the completion of their counter-extremism sprint, which department will then have the lead on countering this threat.
To ask His Majesty's Government which department is currently working on blasphemy-related extremism; and following the completion of their counter-extremism sprint, which department will then have the lead on countering this threat.
The Home Office leads all the work on countering extremism, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government lead all the work on strengthening community cohesion, alongside local councils. The two programmes on cohesion and extremism work in parallel and the two departments work closely together on them.