Britain on Tuesday defended its foreign policy after the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland accused the government of pursuing an "anti-Christian" agenda. Cardinal Keith O'Brien slammed government plans to increase aid to Pakistan. "I urge (British Foreign Secretary) William Hague to obtain guarantees from foreign governments before they are given aid," O'Brien said.
"To increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who speak up for religious freedom are gunned down is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy," the cardinal claimed. He was speaking at the launch of a report into Christian persecution by Catholic group, Aid to the Church in Need.
"Pressure should now be put on the government of Pakistan, and the governments of the Arab world as well, to ensure that religious freedom is upheld," he added. "The provision of aid must require a commitment to human rights." The British government recently announced it would double Pakistan aid to more than 445 million pounds (720 million dollars, 514 million euros).
Responding to the criticism, junior foreign minister Alistair Burt highlighted Britain's efforts made by the government to improve religious freedoms. "We share the cardinal's concern about the plight of Christians facing persecution," Burt said in a statement. "The effective promotion of human rights, including freedom of religion, is at the heart of our foreign policy."
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