30Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
UK failing in its duty to Hong Kong

UK failing in its duty to Hong Kong

Parliamentary news
Responding to China imposing sweeping electoral changes in Hong Kong, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran MP said: “This amending of the Basic Law by China’s rubber-stamp legislature is a clear breach of the Joint Declaration. The Government must respond with firm action, as it has done elsewhere - words of condemnation have done nothing to protect Hong Kong’s democracy. “The UK is failing in its duty under the Joint Declaration and international law to preserve Hong Kong’s institutions and human rights. Any red line has been crossed. If Dominic Raab won’t stand up now and act, when? “The Liberal Democrats will stand, as we always have, with the people of Hong Kong. The Government can make no more excuses - it is time for the UK to…
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26Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
China sanctions will not silence critics standing up for the Uyghurs

China sanctions will not silence critics standing up for the Uyghurs

Parliamentary news
Responding to China's sanctions on nine UK citizens - including five MPs - for spreading "lies and disinformation", Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran MP said: "We have full solidarity with colleagues and organisations who have been sanctioned for daring to speak out and expose the atrocities against the Uyghurs. Despite China's intimidation tactics, we will not be silenced. “Targeting backbench MPs instead of ministers makes clear this is about China’s disdain for democracy around the world. "The UK cannot stand by while human rights abuses take place right in front of our eyes. This desperate move from China will galvanise us all to work harder. The Liberal Democrats urge the Government to stand behind those sanctioned and protect them."
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22Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Late China sanctions show UK failing to lead

Late China sanctions show UK failing to lead

Parliamentary news
Responding to the addition of four Chinese officials and the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau to the Global Human Rights sanctions regime, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran MP said: “These Magnitsky sanctions are welcome and better late than never – the Liberal Democrats have been calling for them in response to the mass atrocities in Xinjiang for some time. “The Government’s dither and delay has only ended thanks to the US’ leadership and fear of rebellion in the Commons. They are failing to lead on the world stage. We need consistent and firm action whenever and wherever human rights are being violated. That must include Hong Kong, where the UK has a legal obligation to act. “Dominic Raab is still refusing to call what is happening to the…
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10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hong Kong: Government must act to prevent end of democracy

Hong Kong: Government must act to prevent end of democracy

Parliamentary news
Today, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran, has challenged the Government to set out a clear plan to protect Hong Kong's democracy & Basic Law. Layla has called on new Magnitsky sanctions and bringing the case to the International Court of Justice. Layla Moran secured an Urgent Question in Parliament about the proposed reforms to Hong Kong’s electoral system by the Chinese Government. Under the plans, people wishing to stand for election in Hong Kong will have to be approved as ‘patriots’ by a panel of Communist Party officials. Layla said the Government had a “legal obligation” to act and that “bullies” like China "only understand words when they are followed by action. Speaking after her Urgent Question to the Minister for Asia, she said: “I urge the Government…
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02Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Beijing 2022 boycott: Government response shows lack of regard for athletes

Beijing 2022 boycott: Government response shows lack of regard for athletes

Parliamentary news
Jamie Stone MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Sport, has criticised the Government’s response to his request in Parliament for a commitment to supporting athletes who choose to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing. Foreign Office Minister Nigel Adams said it was a matter for the British Olympics Association and individual sports people. Jamie Stone MP said: “China is responsible for genocide. We know they run so-called re-education camps where they try to eradicate the Uyghur culture and conduct forced sterilisation on Uyghur women. “I know some athletes are deeply troubled by this 21st century genocide happening in China. Many of them are wonderfully talented athletes with a serious chance of winning big, so this will be a tough dilemma for them. “I…
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11Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Olympics boycott: Parliament pressure on Govt over Beijing 2022

Olympics boycott: Parliament pressure on Govt over Beijing 2022

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats secured a Government response in the House of Lords, on calls for the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic games in 2022 to be boycotted if China continues its genocide against the Uighur people. Despite Peers from all political parties speaking in support of a boycott if these conditions are not met, the Government shirked responsibility on standing up for human rights. Jamie Stone MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Sport reacted to the lack of Government response: “It is clear political support is growing for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 games if China does not stop the horrifying genocide against the Uighur people. Yet instead of making a strong stand against a genocidal regime, the Government chose to shirk all responsibility. “The Government’s decision to let Olympic…
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11Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
China’s BBC ban a crackdown on fundamental freedoms

China’s BBC ban a crackdown on fundamental freedoms

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Chinese Government banning BBC World News Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “The Chinese government’s BBC ban, in response to their reporting on the Uyghur genocide and other abuses, marks their latest move in an unacceptable crackdown on fundamental freedoms. We've already seen the consequences of this in Hong Kong. “The role of media outlets such as the BBC is crucial to ensuring high-quality reporting of events around the world. What is happening to the Uyghurs in Xinjiang is a genocide, and silencing the BBC for reporting on it shows that the Chinese government has no intention on stopping its appalling human rights abuses. “We urge the UK Government to stand up for the BBC and work together with our international allies to stand…
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10Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Moran: “Outrageous” government manoeuvres deny Uyghurs their day in court

Moran: “Outrageous” government manoeuvres deny Uyghurs their day in court

Parliamentary news
Responding to the defeat of the Genocide Amendment by the Government, Liberal Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said “Today the Government used outrageous procedural manoeuvres to avoid any straight vote on the Genocide Amendment and avoid defeat, in a flagrant attempt to deny MPs from having their democratic say. If they were confident in their arguments, why do that? They are running scared of the Commons. By allowing parliamentary committees to rule on genocide, the Government has contradicted its own policy that genocide is a matter for the courts. Both relevant committees have already rejected these proposals. “The Uyghur people have been betrayed and denied their day in court. The Government has turned a blind eye and has chosen to not put human rights first, despite clear cross-party…
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21Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government has chosen to turn a blind eye to genocide

Government has chosen to turn a blind eye to genocide

Parliamentary news
Responding to Conservative MPs voting down changes to the Trade Bill which would have put human rights at the heart of UK trade policy, Liberal Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “Today the Government turned down a crucial opportunity to say ‘never again’ and put ending genocide and protecting human rights at the heart of the UK’s trade policy, despite clear cross-party support. “On the same day that the US recognised what is happening in Xinjiang as genocide, the Government has chosen to turn a blind eye and to not put human rights first. But this isn't over - we will support a new amendment when the Bill goes back to the Lords. "The Liberal Democrats will always fight to protect human rights around the world, and we'll…
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13Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government must give judges power to determine if genocide committed

Government must give judges power to determine if genocide committed

Parliamentary news
Speaking after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab's statement on the situation in Xinjiang, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Layla Moran said: “Whilst I was pleased to hear the Foreign Secretary say that more must be done about the human rights abuses being committed against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, it is deeply disappointing that the Government still refuses to label it as genocide. "Given China's blocking of routes to pursue genocide judgements through international courts, the UK surely has a responsibility - in line with its obligations under the Genocide Convention - to find alternative routes make legal determinations of the crime of genocide. "We need to allow judges to provide expert input to ensure that our values are upheld, and we need to see the Government go further to ensure…
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