13
Jul
2023
Watch
10th anniversary of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of their religion, that is obvious. But I want to put myself in a special way behind Christians. In 50 countries, more than 300 million Christians are being persecuted today. Every five minutes a follower of Jesus Christ dies for his faith. This is why, although necessary, these guidelines on the protection of religious freedom are not enough. We need a new, ambitious agenda to respond to every case of religious persecution against Christians. We cannot allow national laws in some countries to legitimize persecution. This is the case in Pakistan or Nigeria. It's time to open your eyes and stop being silent. In addition to the guidelines, the European Union must link trade treaties to religious freedom clauses. She should use all her instruments to end the persecution for the faith.