The UK has accepted over 1,100 Muslim Syrian refugees but refused Christians according to reports.Even despite the suffering of Christians during seven years of civil war, including the persecution by Islamic State, the UK government still refused to accept Christian refugees.In official figures, 4,832 Syrians invited to settle in the UK last year, only 11 were Christian.
According to to the DM: The Barnabas Fund charity, which obtained the figures under Freedom of Information laws, said:
‘It is widely accepted that Christians constituted up to 10 percent of Syria’s pre-war population, have been specifically targeted by jihadists and continue to be at risk.’Yet out of more than 1,000 Syrian refugees resettled in the UK this year, there was not a single Christian.
‘As last year’s statistics more than amply demonstrate this is not a statistical blip. It is significant evidence of discrimination and the Government has a legal duty to take concrete steps to address this.’The 1,112 Syrian refugees admitted to the UK this year were among 1,358 recommended for resettlement by the UN refugee agency UNHCR.
Of those picked by the UN agency, four were Christians but none made the final list. Barnabas said UN criteria for resettlement took account of disability and sexual orientation but did not give priority to those who may be targeted for their religious faith.’We don’t want them to prioritize Christians – we want to prioritize people on the basis of their vulnerability,’ said Martin Parsons, head of research at Barnabas.’If someone is gay, the penalty under Sharia law is death but if someone converts from Islam to Christianity, the penalty is also death.’
Islamic State fanatics have attacked Christians and churches, as well as carrying out the genocide of Yazidis and other religious minorities.Last week its forces set off bombs in the Syrian city of Sweida, which killed 215 people in an area that blends elements of Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism.The Home Office said:’The vulnerable person’s resettlement scheme prioritizes the most vulnerable refugees who have fled the Syrian conflict, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.’We are working with the UNHCR and other partners to reach groups that might be reluctant to register for the scheme for fear of discrimination and unaware of the options available to them.’These groups include all religious minorities.’A century ago, Christians comprised 20 percent of the population of the Middle East but that number has now been cut to just 4 percent.
By: Daniel Newton |SOURCE: @NeonNettle
photo source: PRESS
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