§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account she takes of religious affiliation in the planning of aid programmes. [124565]
§ Clare ShortThe Department for International Development does not take account of religious affiliation in planning development programmes. 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.
267WWhere we support civil society organizations which have an evangelising role, we make it clear that our support is for programmes and activities which contribute to the elimination of poverty and which are delivered without religious or sectarian bias.