Smith, a Labour Party member of Parliament representing North Northumberland and a Christian with experience at Tearfund and the Bible Society, delivered his comments during a recent briefing at the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office. He warned that violence, discrimination, and repression on religious grounds are worsening in many parts of the world, threatening the survival of Christian communities and other minority faiths.

New Global Strategy Targets Ten Countries

The UK government is now launching a comprehensive international strategy to put religious freedom at the core of its foreign policy in ten selected nations. These target countries include Vietnam, Algeria, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Smith noted that these countries were chosen based on the severity of persecution, diplomatic relationships with the UK, and the likelihood of achieving meaningful change. He emphasized that the abuse comes from both state and non-state actors, with tactics ranging from killings and torture to denial of basic civil rights.

“Persecution based on religion or belief, enacted by States themselves and social groups, is taking place on every continent in the world,” Smith said. He added that guards against religious oppression serve a greater purpose by deterring broader instability around the globe.

Persecution Far-Reaching Despite Little Media Coverage

Smith cited research by the Pew Research Center showing that nearly 380 million Christians face some level of persecution globally. He also referenced new data from Jersey Road PR indicating that stories about Christian persecution gain little traction in the UK’s mainstream media.

Smith said that the FoRB policy marks “a new chapter” in Britain’s foreign policy approach and outlined how religious freedom is deeply tied to other fundamental human rights. Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK’s Minister for Human Rights, echoed this sentiment, stating that protecting belief systems is essential to promoting dignity and justice around the world.

“Only by working together can we build a world where everyone, everywhere, can live with dignity, free to believe — or not believe — without fear,” Lord Collins said during a recent policy event.

Looking Beyond the Priority List

Of the 10 countries targeted by the UK initiative, only Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan appear in the top 10 of Open Doors’ World Watch List, a global ranking of countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Smith addressed the exclusion of countries like North Korea and Yemen—both among the worst offenders—acknowledging that they remain under UK advocacy efforts.

He named other persecuted groups as examples, including the Ahmadiyya religious community in Pakistan, Baháʼís in Iran, and Christians in North Korea, underlining the broad scope of oppression. While these countries didn’t make the initial priority list, he affirmed that long-term advocacy and monitoring would not be ignored in regions with severe rights violations.

“Religious intolerance and persecution can fuel instability and conflict,” Smith said. He stressed the strategic value of protecting religious rights not just for moral reasons, but as a way to strengthen international peace and development.

UK’s Approach Builds on Its Historical Legacy

Smith argued that the UK’s historical journey—from an era of religious repression to modern-day pluralism—gives it a credible voice in the international religious freedom debate. “Britain has moved from persecution to pluralism,” he said during a parliamentary session earlier this year.

The role of FoRB envoy was created following a 2019 report from then-Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen. That report concluded that too little attention was being given to religious liberty in UK foreign policy and led to formal recommendations to strengthen advocacy in this area.

The UK’s five-part strategy to promote FoRB encompasses influencing international standards, building bilateral pressure, strengthening coalitions, integrating FoRB into existing human rights frameworks, and working with civil groups to foster interfaith compassion and knowledge.

Past Successes Show Strategy’s Potential Impact

The UK’s international advocacy has already shown success in specific cases, such as helping secure the release of Nigerian atheist Mubarak Bala and Cuban pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo. These efforts serve as evidence that persistent diplomatic pressure can alter outcomes even in restrictive regimes.

Smith reiterated that protecting freedom of belief supports not only the directly impacted groups but also benefits the broader society, including states responsible for persecution. Naming FoRB as a vital indicator of a nation's health, he stated that defending religious rights “could unlock new opportunities and freedoms for their nations to flourish.”

As religious repression escalates in many corners of the globe, Smith said the UK must respond proactively. With this new policy, Britain seeks not only to shield vulnerable communities but also to help foster regional stability and long-term societal resilience through an emphasis on universal moral values.