To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Algeria about the official closure of 11 churches in that country; and whether they have had positive responses to any such approaches to that government.
Answered on
5 November 2018
The promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) internationally is a high priority for the UK. We welcomed the re-opening of three churches in Algeria during the summer, but were disappointed to hear of the closure last week of another church, near the town of Bejaia. The Algerian Constitution protects FoRB, and we have discussed with the Algerian authorities the importance of ensuring those protections are reflected in their laws and processes. The Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, raised FoRB, including church closures, with the Algerian government when he visited Algiers in June. I also discussed FoRB with Algerian Ministers during my visit in July. Our Embassy in Algiers maintains close contact with the Protestant Church of Algeria.