In Official Response, The FCDO Sets Out Its Position Regarding Religious Freedom in Kabylia
The FCDO has released its official response to questions asked by Jim Shannon MP regarding religious oppression and violations of human rights in Kabylia - the first mention of the region in living memory by the FCDO. Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, stated that the FCDO will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylia and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria. He also stated that the Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB.
Full questions and answers:
Jim Shannon (DUP, Strangford):
[31463]: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps in response to reports of religious oppression in Kabylie, in the context of the designation of Algeria by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as a Special Watch List country.
[31462]: 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.
[31461]: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his counterparts in Algeria and (b) representatives of the Kabylie people on the political and human rights situation in Kabylie.
Mr Hamish Falconer (FCDO Minister, Labour, Lincoln):
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.