June 18 2003

The severe persecution of Christians in parts of Africa was highlighted by MPs in a House of Commons debate yesterday.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire, Alistair Burt, introduced the debate. He said: "By standing up for the rights of persecuted religious groups, we are also helping to tackle other human rights abuses and to promote a more healthy respect for human rights throughout the world".

Mr Burt went on to give an overview of the situation in Africa, focusing in particular on Nigeria. Noting that the current bouts of violence began in 1999, when some northern Muslim states began to impose Shari'ah Law, he pointed out that this was part of an overall strategy.

He added: "Some Nigerian Muslims openly admit that the ultimate aim is to impose full Shari'ah Law in a majority of Nigeria's 36 states. Once they have that majority they can challenge the country's constitution and, eventually, declare Nigeria a fully Islamic state, rather than the secular one that it is, by consent, now. That should be of deep concern to anyone who is interested in Nigeria's future welfare."

David Drew, Labour MP for Stroud, focused on the persecution of the newer Christian denominations in Eritrea. He drew attention to the particularly severe treatment of Christian soldiers. He said there were reports "that several young Christian soldiers were shot after being discovered reading the Bible". Other reports show Christian soldiers as having been arrested, tortured, assaulted or sexually abused.

Andrew Selous, Conservative MP for South-West Bedfordshire, covered a number of countries, some where violence against Christians had already broken out, and some where there were warning signs that it may do in the future. He gave a number of examples of individual tragedies, such as an example from Ethiopia. A Muslim who converted to Christianity "had his life threatened and was accused of apostasy; he was beaten and hospitalised, and had to take refuge in a police station."

Nearly all the MPs who spoke paid tribute to the work of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Mr Burt praised CSW "for their painstaking research and careful verification of allegations."
Conservative Front Bench Spokesman Peter Luff referred to CSW's "extremely impressive briefing material".

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Parliamentary Officer, Dr Alan Hobson, worked closely with MPs to initiate the adjourment debate and to prepare material for it.

Mervyn Thomas, CSW Chief Executive said: "We're really pleased that so many MPs spoke up for Christians persecuted in Africa.
"Religious freedom should be a key part of the Foreign Office's policy considerations and we will be looking for the points raised in this debate to be taken on board in the UK's future relations with African countries."