EU foreign ministers have
issued a statement condemning violence against Christians and calling
upon states to protect freedom of worship.
The statement was issued after the Foreign Affairs Council Meeting in Brussels last Tuesday.
The foreign ministers said: “The Council expresses its profound
concern about the increasing number of acts of religious intolerance and
discrimination, as epitomised by recent violence and acts of terrorism,
in various countries, against Christians and their places of worship,
Muslim pilgrims and other religious communities, which it firmly
condemns.
“Regrettably, no part of the world is exempt from the scourge of religious tolerance.”
The ministers expressed their condolences and “solidarity” with the
countries where religious violence was being experienced, as well as the
victims.
They went on to affirm the EU’s “strong commitment” to the promotion
and protection of religious freedom and called upon states to protect
citizens, including members of religious minorities.
“All persons belonging to religious communities and minorities should
be able to practice their religion and worship freely, individually or
in community with others, without fear of intolerance and attacks,” the
statement continued.
“The international community needs to consolidate its collective
response to those who want to use religion as an instrument of division,
fuelling extremism and violence.
“The EU will continue to engage with partner countries and offer its
cooperation to promote religious tolerance and to protect human rights.”
The reference to Christians was included despite the previous
reluctance of some foreign ministers to single Christians out for
special mention.
According to European Dignity Watch, five foreign ministers and EU
High Representative Catherine Ashton had refused to make any mention of
Christians in a statement on religious violence at the last Council
meeting in January, despite the wave of attacks on Christians in the
Middle East in recent months.
Christians across the Middle East have experienced an intensification
of persecution in recent months.
In Iraq, dozens were killed when
gunmen opened fire inside the Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad
last October, while in Egypt more than 20 Christians were killed in a
bomb attack on a church in Alexandria on New Year’s Day.
Both attacks
were followed by random deadly attacks on Christians.
European Dignity Watch welcomed the statement but criticised the
foreign ministers for making only a single reference to Christianity.
The advocacy group said the Council had produced a “carefully worded” and “politically correct” statement.
“A more courageous message on the part of the European Union would
have unequivocally condemned the atrocities committed exclusively
against Christians,” it said.
However, the group added that the statement would be welcomed by
victimised Christian minorities in the Middle East “who need the ongoing
support and solidarity of the EU”.