Italian foreign minister promises vigorous defense of Christian religious rights

January 13, 2012

“Defending human rights is not just an ethical commitment: it also responds to our security needs,” wrote Italy’s foreign minister in an article that appeared in Avvenire, the Italian daily owned by the country’s Catholic bishops.

Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata said that Italy’s “increasingly high-profile role” in human-rights activism has come to focus especially on religious freedom. He deplored “a dangerous and unacceptable escalation in attacks against religious minorities, especially Christian minorities.” He promised that Italy will be pushing European leaders to recognize, and take action against, the threats to religious freedom in general and the rights of Christians in particular.

 

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Further information:

• “An Italian human rights Authority”, says Italy' minister of foreign affairs Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata (Avvenire)