So said Cardinal Keith O'Brien"I urge William Hague to obtain guarantees from foreign governments before they are given aid. To increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who speak up for religious freedom are gunned down is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy. Pressure should now be put on the government of Pakistan - and the governments of the Arab world as well - to ensure that religious freedom is upheld, the provision of aid must require a commitment to human rights."
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"This reality is both shocking and saddening. In countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, Christians face violence, intolerance and even death because of their beliefs. This is intolerable and unacceptable. Here in Scotland we value our freedoms, particularly the freedom of religion and the right to practice our faith free of persecution. Yet this detailed and at times harrowing report reminds us that not all of our fellow Christians enjoy such freedom to worship."
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“Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and we condemn and deplore religious persecution in any form. The promotion of human rights, including freedom of religion, is at the heart of our foreign policy...
Britain raises concerns about religious freedom wherever they arise, including in Pakistan, through the intervention of ministers or our embassies and high commissions. We lobby governments about cases where persecution or discrimination occurs, and call for changes in discriminatory practices and laws in countries where freedom of religion is curtailed....
British aid helps the world’s poorest people, who would lose out twice over were we to withdraw it. The Development Secretary has made clear the pivotal role of the Christian churches in tackling world poverty and last month launched a renewed drive to work more closely with faith communities. It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. We will continue to press for religious freedoms to be upheld in Pakistan and around the world.”
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
William Hague Should Link Foreign Aid to Religious Freedom
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6 comments:
I can't see how this is realistic seeing as the Prime Minister is determined to introduce legislation allowing gays to upgrade their civil partnerships to marriages, and has spoken with approval of a recent court judgement that a local authority does not act unlawfully in requiring prospective foster parents to approve of homosexuality.
The dhimmitude is coming
How could anybody who worshipped that MAD WOMAN be trusted,he is obviously Anti-Christian.
Watching his antics is worse than watching those old slap-stick movies and even more embarrassing.
Father,
Is Nickbris referring to Lady Thatcher? Because, if he is, then he is displaying a most Unchristian attitude.
Some of us, indeed many of us, hold Lady T. in the highest regard and Nickbris has deeply offended me.
Give it to the Japanese instead. They are going to need it and are a more deserving cause, having got themselves from where they were in 1945 largely by their own efforts, which shows what some people can do if.
Why do we borrow money to give it to Pakistan , in reality one of our bitterest enemies ? Why aid to Africa ? All aid to Africa is wasted . There are really deserving people in Britain who desperately need help.
Alan Morriss
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