CSW welcomes the appointment on 20 December of Fiona Bruce MP as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). She succeeds Rehman Chisti MP, who resigned on 14 September 2020.

Welcoming the news on Twitter, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Fiona Bruce is a champion for freedoms here and abroad. I look forward to working with her as the UK’s Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief to make sure everyone, everywhere is free to have and practise a faith, belief, or not, in accordance with their conscience.”

In a statement, Fiona Bruce MP said: “I am honoured to be given this opportunity to serve as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. There is much to do, and my post will be placed at the service of some of the most vulnerable people across the world.”

“This appointment comes in the light of continuing large scale horrors taking place – such as those against Uighur Muslims in China, Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and Yazidis in Iraq and at a time when, as the late and much respected former Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks stated, ‘the persecution of Christians throughout much of the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, and elsewhere, is one of the crimes against humanity of our time.’ These are some of the most deeply concerning issues of our generation, on which it will be a privilege to engage as Special Envoy, both nationally and internationally, with others similarly concerned.”

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “This appointment is wonderful news for all who work on freedom of religion or belief. Fiona Bruce has been unwavering, courageous and outspoken in championing this fundamental right since she became an MP in 2010, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role. We would also like to thank Rehman Chisti MP for his work advancing the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief worldwide both during and after his time as FoRB envoy.”