MPs have called on the UK Government to protect Christians and other religious minorities in Afghanistan from the current crisis.
Fiona Bruce MP, who is the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, welcomed the current refugee scheme but warned that more must be done to protect Afghan Christians.
Afghanistan ranks second-highest on the Open Doors World Watch List, which lists the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. With the recent collapse of the Government to the Taliban, there is concern that persecution will become even worse.
‘Words into action’
During Wednesday’s House of Commons debate, Mrs Bruce said: “It is vital that there is urgent international co-ordination to help the religious minorities in Afghanistan who face persecution.”
Quoting the G7’s promise to stand for “the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief globally”, the MP argued “this is the moment to translate those words into action”.
Under the form of Sharia law which the Taliban adhere to, Christians who convert from an Islamic family background can be killed, imprisoned or enslaved for not converting back to Islam.
Persecution
Bruce also said she had spoken with an Afghan Christian, who said: “the Taliban are already knocking on doors in Kabul, requiring people to go to worship in the mosques and identifying those who refuse.
“Those so identified fear the worst for their lives.”
During the same debate, Ian Paisley MP called on the Prime Minister to evacuate Christians “currently under sentence of death” in the country.
Also see:
Dramatic rise in persecution of Christians in Nigeria
Govt plans to deliver all persecution report recommendations by 2022
Huge rise in Christian persecution worldwide revealed in 2021 World Watch List