The Archbishop of Westminster Most Rev Richard Moth has joined the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan and other senior church leaders to call on the UN and international governments to take urgent action to guarantee the rights of people targeted for their faith.

They're marking the United Nations’ International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

In a message of support for a campaign organised by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), they called on Catholics and people of goodwill to sign a petition urging world leaders to ensure their countries fulfil the religious freedom requirements set out in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to ACN’s latest Religious Freedom in the World report, 5.4 billion people live in countries where oppression and discrimination are perpetuated by governments or extremist groups.

“All too often Article 18 is ignored,” Archbishop Moth wrote. “Men and women are imprisoned, others are driven from their homes, or even killed, simply because of their peacefully held beliefs.

“In some countries women and girls are kidnapped, forced to renounce their faith and marry their abductors, children are denied the right to learn about their faith.

“Many people – young and old alike – are the victims of religious hatred. They suffer abuse and discrimination in the streets, at school and at work.”

Bishop Keenan said: “Violations of a person’s right to worship and live out his or her faith are contrary to the values of a just society. Religious freedom is a right, not a privilege.”

Other church leaders, including the Bishop of Winchester Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen and the Coptic Archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos have also joined the call for Christians to sign ACN’s Article 18 petition. It calls for renewed action to protect those persecuted for their faith and to uphold the dignity of people and communities denied their fundamental right to believe.