Speaking in the House of Commons today Fiona Bruce MP asked,
"As the Foreign Secretary said at the Human Rights Council this week, our Government will continue to work with partners internationally to uphold freedoms of people right around the world, including freedom of religion or belief.
Many women suffer persecution doubly as a result of their beliefs and their gender.
Can we have a debate on how our Government are taking forward the Declaration of Humanity, announced last autumn in support of survivors of sexual violence in conflict, and on how to help prevent such things happening in the future?"
Responding, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Leader of the House of Commons first congratulated Fiona on the work she has done on this issue during her time as a Member of Parliament,
"May I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend on her work as the Prime Minister’s special envoy for freedom of religion or belief? I cannot think of anybody better suited to the task. She has campaigned for this throughout her time in Parliament and does it incredibly effectively and persistently and raises an important subject again and again. I really thank her for that, because it is fundamental to how we see ourselves as a nation."
Continuing, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP said,
"As my Honourable Friend knows, the Government place the promotion and protection of human rights at the top of their list of international priorities. We condemn utterly and totally all acts of conflict-related sexual violence towards any person at any time in any circumstances. The Government do all they can to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and to protect all persons vulnerable to such violence, including marginalised minority groups and those of other faiths or beliefs, recognising that adherence to a faith or a belief can itself result in additional vulnerability. The Government continue to work internationally to uphold freedoms of people around the world and they are obviously particularly concerned about women who have their rights affected."
The Foreign Secretary's statement at the Human Rights Council this week can be read here and further details on the Declaration of Humanity can be found here.