According to the August 2011 report put out by Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, 2.2 billion people - about a third of the world’s population - live in countries where government restrictions or social hostilities involving religion are increasing. Only 1% lives in countries where these hostilities are decreasing.
We can no longer allow religious intolerance to overcome human rights and freedom of religion. As an MP I have an obligation and moral responsibility to stand up for those who are unable to do so. People everywhere should possess the right to worship without being attacked, tortured, or taunted.
With the advancement of social media, the internet news allows us to see the immediate effects of religious intolerance. Suicide bombings, attacks on individuals, and recent debates on the role of religion in society spotlight that this is an issue for every country. I hope you will take the time to read the following articles and to stay informed.
May 10, 2012
USCIRF Alarmed By Blasphemy Amendments in KuwaitMay 06, 2012
Accused in Shahbaz Bhatti murder exoneratedMay 01, 2012
Nigerian troops raid hideout over church attacksApril 23, 2012
Sudan Muslims Torch Catholic Church in KhartoumApril 10, 2012
Southern Sudanese Fear Forced RepatriationMarch 19, 2012
Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom and Governance on April 2nd, 2012March 19, 2012
Press Tributes to Coptic Pope Shenouda and source is the BBC News Middle East.March 08, 2012
The Overlooked Demographic: A Report on the Impact of Religious Persecution on Children (PDF) - Religious Liberty Commission, The Evangelical Fellowship of CanadaMarch 02, 2012
Pakistan’s Honorable Shahbaz Bhatti, Murdered with Impunity One Year AgoFebruary 22, 2012
Tibetans in China mark new year with sombre defianceFebruary 14, 2012
USCIRF Concerned about Saudi Blogger and Welcomes Release of Long-Held Religious Prisoner February 06, 2012
The integrated approach to engaging BeijingFebruary 02, 2012
International Standards for Constitutional Religious Freedom ProtectionsJanuary 25, 2012
KHARTOUM, Sudan, (Compass Direct News)January 24, 2012
BAUCHI CITY, Nigeria (Compass Direct News)