London: The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has welcomed the heartening commitment of Joe Powell, MP for Kensington & Bayswater, to the global fight against religious persecution. In a recent email response to BACA Trustee Juliet Chowdhry, Mr. Powell expressed his unwavering support for defending freedom of religion or belief and standing against oppression in all its forms.

Mr. Powell acknowledged the alarming rise in violence against Christians worldwide, citing data from Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List. According to the report, nearly 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2023, with 90% of these deaths occurring in Nigeria. Additionally, over 15,000 churches and Christian properties were attacked in the same year—a sharp increase from 2,100 incidents in 2022.

“Religious freedom is a core tenet of fundamental human rights, and everyone should be able to practice and profess their faith free from persecution,” Mr. Powell wrote. He also emphasized the UK Government’s responsibility to champion these rights globally through diplomatic efforts and constructive dialogue with allies.

Juliet Chowdhry responded warmly to Mr. Powell’s email, stating:

“We are encouraged by Mr. Powell’s commitment to addressing the plight of persecuted Christians and his recognition of the urgent need for action. His support for religious freedom aligns closely with our mission to advocate for those who face discrimination and violence because of their faith.”

As a trustee of the British Asian Christian Association, Juliet expressed hope for forging stronger links with Mr. Powell to address these critical issues. She also indicated that BACA has reached out to his office to explore potential collaboration on future initiatives, including projects aimed at raising awareness of religious persecution.

The British Asian Christian Association remains dedicated to supporting persecuted individuals and communities worldwide. The organization is optimistic that partnerships with compassionate and proactive leaders like Joe Powell will amplify their efforts to champion justice and freedom for all.

Our charity is dedicated to helping those affected by such violence and injustice. We provide safe houses for rape survivors, blasphemy victims, and their families, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives. We build clean water wells to restore dignity and health, sparing women in rural areas from dangerous, often life-threatening trips where they are at risk of assault. We offer legal advocacy for blasphemy victims and persecuted Christians, helping them fight for justice. Through education and microbusinesses, we work to alleviate poverty within Christian communities, and we advocate globally for a fair asylum process for those escaping persecution. Your support allows us to continue and expand this vital work.