Appointment of recent Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief welcomed

The appointment of David Smith MP as the brand new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) has been welcomed by Christian charities.

Mr Smith is Labour MP for North Northumberland and a committed Christian who has previously worked for Bible Society and Tearfund. He succeeds Fiona Bruce, former Conservative MP for Congleton. 

The government said his appointment “underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to freedom of faith or belief for all”. 

As a part of the role he’ll work to “champion FoRB for all overseas, promoting tolerance and mutual respect through and alongside the UK’s global diplomatic network and engagements in multilateral fora”.

Minister for Human Rights, Lord Collins of Highbury said: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states everyone has the correct to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. There is, nonetheless, still much to be done to make sure this right is upheld world wide.

“David’s appointment is a transparent signal of the worth placed by the UK on championing freedom of faith or belief for all world wide. No one should live in fear due to what they do, or don’t, imagine in.”

Mr Smith said he was “delighted” to be appointed to the post. 

“From sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East and Asia, I actually have personally worked with those of various faiths who face religious persecution, and so these are issues that I care passionately about,” he said. 

“I stay up for taking forward the federal government’s commitment to supporting freedom of faith or belief for all.”

Welcoming him to the role, Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland, said, “This is great news, not only for people of religion, but for anyone concerned about freedom and human rights.

“We imagine that David Smith is someone who truly ‘gets’ the necessity to speak up for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Parliament.

“He has worked with several NGOs and Christian organisations and is extremely spoken of. We stay up for working closely with him.

“The FORB Envoy is such a vital role. Since it was introduced in 2018, it has made a major difference in ensuring that the plight of persecuted Christians, and other faiths, has been kept on the agenda of the UK government.

“We know human rights are a vital issue for this government and are so pleased they’ve now appointed someone to this critical role.”

Dr Caroline Hull, national director at Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, said: “We are delighted that the Government has appointed a latest Special Envoy for FoRB.

“This position is of the utmost importance in ensuring that the UK uses its considerable resources and global influence to do the whole lot it may to tackle and overcome persecution, discrimination and intolerance throughout the world.”