Farron urges Government to give their support to Iraqi Christians at Christmas

2.28.00pm GMT Tue 16th Dec 2008

As Christians across the UK prepare to celebrate the Christmas period, MP Tim Farron has spoken out against the persecution of Christians in Iraq after 93 members of the Baghdad Christian Church were killed this year as part of the ongoing violence within the country.

Speaking today during a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament, Mr Farron urged the UK Government to safeguard the rights of the Christian community and allow Iraqi Christians to celebrate Christmas in peace and security.

Speaking after the debate Mr Farron said:

"With the recent attacks in Mumbai, as well as the ongoing violence throughout Iraq, it's clear that across the world persecution and attacks are taking pace on people of all religions.

"Sadly the plight of Christians in Iraq is one that has grabbed few headlines and yet is perhaps the greatest continuing outrage resulting from the illegal invasion

"As Christians in this country prepare to celebrate Christmas in peace and security, Christians in Iraq do so amidst persecution and fear.

"I am urging the Government to do their utmost to safeguard the rights of all Christians in Iraq and to do this by giving the Christian Community in the Nineveh Plains, self governing status so that they will be free from some of the most extreme forms of persecution".