The Evangelical Alliance is has joined calls for the UK government to do more about the persecution of Christians around the world.

The renewed message comes ahead of a ministerial conference on freedom of religion and belief in early July.

Around 500 faith leaders and ministers are expected to attend the event,

According to the Open Doors World Watch List, almost 360 million Christians around the world suffered significant persecution in 2021, as a result of their faith.

Almost 6,000 of them were killed – mostly in Nigeria.

Danny Webster, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, says: “At the summit this week, words must be matched with action. Protecting and promoting human rights should be a cornerstone of our government’s foreign policy, trade deals and overseas development spending. Religious freedom is foundational to free societies and should be at the centre of government action across the globe.”

Three years ago, the UK government accepted 22 recommendations in the Bishop of Truro’s review on the persecution of Christians overseas.

However, Christian charities and organisations say there is urgent need for the newly formed FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) to set out a long-term strategy to advance freedom of religion or belief in both foreign and development policy.