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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18Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Government turns its back on asylum seekers again

Government turns its back on asylum seekers again

Parliamentary news
Responding to Home Office plans to send asylum seekers to another country to be processed, Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Alistair Carmichael MP, said: “It is disgraceful that Priti Patel is still peddling her unworkable and inhumane asylum proposals. She should be getting on with the job of fixing her dysfunctional department. “46,000 people have been waiting more than six months for a decision on their asylum claim. The problem isn’t with the asylum seekers, it’s with the Home Office. “We all want to stop people cramming themselves into small boats and making dangerous attempts to cross the Channel. But Priti Patel’s nasty, impractical policies aren’t the answer. The real solution is to provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees. “That’s why the Liberal Democrats are calling…
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15Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems: Kremlin must clarify Navalny whereabouts immediately

Lib Dems: Kremlin must clarify Navalny whereabouts immediately

Parliamentary news
Responding to the latest developments on Alexei Navalny, Liberal Democrats Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran said: "It is inexcusable that Alexei Navalny's whereabouts are currently unknown. The Kremlin must provide clarity on this immediately to his lawyers. "This comes on top of the already inexcusable arrest and detention of Alexei Navalny, and the shutting down of dissent in Russia from politicians and protestors. The UK should not stand for such human rights abuses and take further action. "The Liberal Democrats continue to call on the Government to investigate implementing fresh Magnitsky sanctions, as the US has done in recent weeks, and assure us that anyone, no matter their wealth or status, will be considered. "Britain should not be a safe haven for anyone aiding Alexei Navalny's detention and mistreatment. The…
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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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13Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for robust action in face of China’s latest breach of Joint Declaration

Lib Dems call for robust action in face of China’s latest breach of Joint Declaration

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran has today challenged Ministers to "stop stalling" and act to hold China to account for putting democracy in Hong Kong in “mortal peril”. In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran, who is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, called on the Government to commit to “decisive action”. Despite the Chinese Government making what Ms Moran described as a “mockery of the Joint Declaration”, the Foreign Office Minister Nigel Adams merely confirmed that Magnitsky sanctions were still “under consideration.” The Party is calling on the Government to work with international allies to take legal action against China’s latest breach of the Joint Declaration, as well as calling for a lifeboat system to…
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15Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems vote against “dangerous” Government crimes Bill

Lib Dems vote against “dangerous” Government crimes Bill

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats today led cross-party opposition to the Government’s Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill, calling a vote against the legislation in the House of Commons. The Bill, which would create a legal basis for certain government bodies to authorise undercover agents to commit crimes in the UK, has given rise to major concerns among MPs and human rights organisations for its breadth and the lack of sufficient limits, safeguards and oversight. The Liberal Democrats voted against Third Reading this afternoon, but most Conservative MPs backed it and Labour abstained, so the Bill passed by 313 votes to 98. A Liberal Democrat amendment (Amdt 16) would have restricted the powers in the Bill to the police, the intelligence services, the National Crime Agency and the Serious Fraud Office…
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29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Govt must prepare for international ‘lifeboat’ system for Hong Kongers, Lib Dems warn

Govt must prepare for international ‘lifeboat’ system for Hong Kongers, Lib Dems warn

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have agreed plans at their Autumn Conference that, if accepted by Ministers, would see all Hong Kongers offered a path to citizenship and a new international ‘lifeboat’ system if the situation in the region deteriorates further. Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, the Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong and a Patron of Hong Kong watch, warned “the UK has a moral and legal duty to stand with Hong Kongers and ensure no one is left behind to suffer under the Chinese Communist Party." The debate at the Party’s first digital conference included contributions from anonymous members of the Liberal Democrats living in Hong Kong and saw speakers where a mask in solidarity with Joshua Wong, the pro-democracy protest leader in Hong Kong who was recently been…
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28Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems condemn Tories’ attacks on rule of law

Lib Dems condemn Tories’ attacks on rule of law

Parliamentary news
In a policy motion passed this evening at the Liberal Democrats’ Autumn Conference, the Party has condemned "Dominic Cummings’ long history of attacking the rule of law". The motion stated "the rule of law is fundamental to our society", calling for the Government to drop plans "to restrict judicial review, weaken the Human Rights Act or undermine the rule of law in any way". Following the motion being passed, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “This Conservative Government have revealed time and again their disregard for the rule of law. From their recent determination to flout it with the Internal Market Bill, to their attacks on lawyers as 'activists' or judges when they disagree with their rulings, it is clear that part of Johnson's and Cummings' strategy is to…
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07Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems back calls for Magnitsky-style sanctions against Hong Kong human rights abusers

Parliamentary news
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Hong Kong has published the findings of its inquiry into violations of human rights and humanitarian principles by the Hong Kong Police Force, including a series of recommendations.  Following the publication of the report Alistair Carmichael, Chair of the APPG for Hong Kong and Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said: “The APPG's first inquiry into the situation in Hong Kong has vital findings that the Government must sit up and listen to. "Among other things, implementing Magnitsky-style sanctions against those who have committed human rights violations in the territory must be an absolute priority. "The Government have kicked the can down the road long enough on this. If they are serious about promoting human rights abroad and about our legal duty to the people of Hong Kong then…
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