The government of the United Kingdom recently took a monumental and commendable action on the global stage with the release of a strategic action plan to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities.
On July 8th, Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith, announced a new five-point plan from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London, detailing significant steps to advance the protection of faith and belief worldwide. At a press conference with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Special Envoy for Human Rights, and other prominent officials, Smith called out this “hard-hitting,” “groundbreaking” plan as a “profound statement” of the UK’s unwavering commitment to the defense of freedom of conscience.
Targeting the 10 most challenging countries for FoRB (Afghanistan, Algeria, China, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam), the plan has three main priorities: robust bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, civil society empowerment, and integration of FoRB throughout all FCDO foreign policy work. “Freedom of Religion or Belief is not a soft issue at the margins of foreign policy. It is central to our work and to building stable, prosperous and just societies,” said Smith in a statement.
Never has it been more critical for bold statements like these to be backed up with concrete action. According to the latest World Watch List from Open Doors International, over 380 million Christians are currently suffering high levels of persecution for their faith around the world. The exploitation of blasphemy laws, state-sponsored discrimination, and acts of targeted violence against faith communities continue to rise—particularly in many of the countries named in this new plan. By making FoRB a central component of its international engagement and publicly naming and shaming offending countries, the UK is moving from mere rhetoric to intentional engagement. The plan’s focus on civil society partnerships and multilateral collaboration also underscores the reality that no government can combat this crisis alone; it will take courageous advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term political will.
At Back to Jerusalem, we celebrate this announcement with great joy and hope. For all of us working in the 10/40 Window, from the Great Wall of China to the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem, this is a powerful statement that the persecuted Church is seen and cherished. May this plan be a catalyst for justice, restoration, and the advancement of the Gospel to those who have never heard. As Special Envoy Smith concluded with the words of Proverbs 31: 8–9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Praying this leads to meaningful change for the millions still suffering in silence.