The Rt Hon Baroness Warsi

Senior Minister of State

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London

SW1A 2AH

 

Date: 23rd July 2014

 

Dear Baroness Warsi,

 

I am writing to you about the ongoing conflict in Iraq. In particular, I am concerned about the persecution of religion minorities within the region of Mosul.

 

As you know, the conflict in Iraq has greatly escalated since January 2014, and more recently with the declaration of a Caliphate by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis). I am extremely concerned to hear reports that Isis has issued a decree in Mosul, calling for non-Muslims to either convert to Islam, pay a fee or face death and persecution. Religious minorities have been forced to flee from Mosul and are living in extreme fear, as a result.

 

I would, therefore, like to know what steps the UK Government is taking to ensure that we are actively supporting the right to religious freedom in Iraq. Additionally, I would like to reiterate the call for the UK to actively work with the EU and the UN to aid stabilisation within the region, and ensure that religious liberty is a key topic in all communications with Iraq.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion