§ 18. Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with heads of state of developing countries regarding the use of development assistance to support religious freedoms. [42515]
§ Clare ShortI frequently meet senior members of the governments of developing countries; my discussions with them cover issues related to the establishment of practical partnerships to work for the elimination of poverty.
All our work places a strong emphasis on human rights. Freedom of worship is a fundamental freedom. Persecution of people for their religious belief is a breach of international human rights conventions. Our human rights work for crises focuses on the human rights of poor and disadvantaged people this includes those who may be discriminated against because of their religion.