Throughout 2025 I have tried to prioritise my work with the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which in 2024 I was elected to chair. In April, in an article for the House Magazine I argued that the UK has a fine record in developing human rights law – both domestically and internationally – but that we must be on our guard to safeguard human rights – especially the rights of minorities – while emphasising the comparable importance of duties, obligations and responsibilities. Here are some excerpts.
With my JCHR Committee colleague, Baroness (Doreen) Lawrence.
Many of our Committee’s reports can be read at this link:
https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/93/human-rights-joint-committee/publications
We have held inquiries and produced reports on a range of legislation – including the Mental Health Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill and the Borders Bill and we have followed up our 2024 Inquiry into the Hillsborough Law.
There have been thematic inquiries into the role of UK citizens in the genocide against the Yazidis, into the use of forced labour in UK supply chains, and into transnational repression. We are currently running two other inquiries – one into children in social care and another into Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights.
The oral and written evidence received so far may also be read on the JCHR web site.
Lord Chancellor Shaban Mahmood MP and The Attorney General, Lord Hermer, appeared before the JCHR
In the New Year the JCHR will take further evidence on the Hillsborough Law – and the role of the Independent Public Advocate – and following its recent report on the Northern Ireland Remedial Order it will scrutinise the new Northern Ireland Bill
Concerning evidence led us to open an Inquiry into children in the care system
Current Inquiries of the JCHR include an examination of the implications of AI on human rights
Hosting a session on human rights with visiting Ghanaian MPs
In addition to my work on the JCHR, I have also continued to take part in a range of All Party Parliamentary Groups (as co-chair of the groups on North Korea and Pakistan Minorities), Vice Chair or Officer of the groups on International Freedom of Religion or Belief , Nigeria , North Korea , Pakistani Minorities , Tibet , Uyghurs , Yazidis I am also a member but not an officer of the following APPGs: Afghan Women and Girls , Ahmadiyya Muslim Community , Aid Match , Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax , Armenia , Australia and New Zealand (ANZAC) and the Pacific Islands , Babies (Pregnancy to Age 2) , Belarus , British Jews , Faith and Society , Global Education , Gypsies, Travellers and Roma , Liverpool City Region , Pro-Life , Refugees , Republic of Korea , Switzerland and Liechtenstein , United Nations Global Goals , War Crimes , Woods and Trees
At meetings organised by the APPG for North Korea
Chairing a meeting about the Jihadist atrocities being committed in Nigeria
And I made regular attempts – largely ignored – to raise the atrocities in Sudan and genocide in Darfur
A victory in the House on the Energy Bill with the incorporation of my all party amendment on the use of slave labour in supply chains selling solar panels – with grassroots support from Uyghur advocates and Luke de Pulford and the Inter Parliamentary Alliance on China.
International Day for Victims of the Crime of Genocide and Its Prevention – chaired by my colleague Baroness (Helena) Kennedy KC – and organised by Dr.Ewelina Ochab.
In addition, I have taken part in ad hoc inquiries including the Inquiry into atrocities and the use of sexual violence in DRC chaired by Baroness Kennedy.
The Use of Child Labour
And a Hearing about Burma
The treatment of women and the Hazara in Afghanistan
Throughout the year I have continued to campaign for Jimmy Lai and the hundreds of pro democracy advocates – including Joshua Wong and Andy Li – who remain incarcerated in CCP prisons. Always a pleasure to meet Jimmy’s son, Sebastien, and Jimmy’s lawyer, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC .
No to a mega CCP Embassy in London – took part in a protest outside the Home Office, support the local Royal Mint residents – raised the China spy fiasco – and why China isn’t in the top tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme or to be called a “threat” (unlike Russia and Iran).
I have also continued to support Hong Kongers resident in the UK in their quest for full British citizenship and raised the position of Ukrainians in the UK after meeting Ukrainian women (below) and have continued to speak out about the atrocities committed by Putin in his illegal war.
Outside of Parliament it as been a privilege to support a number of charities and NGOs. I was honoured to be elected as the President of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust – and to be able to support chair, Chris Davies, and his excellent team
In May: Commemoration of Victory in Europe Day – and a personal tribute to my dad and his brothers
Unfortunately, in September, as a passenger on a London bus, on my way in to Westminster at 8.15 am, the bus was involved in a crash .It left 17 people in hospital -and gave me concussion, a broken back and 12 weeks in a spinal brace. Great thanks to the NHS staff for their kindness and professionalism, and for getting me back on my feet. Thanks, too, for the tsunami of get well messages and prayers. Really appreciated.
One colleague amusingly and wryly remarked “he’s the most sanctioned Member of Parliament, by four countries, but its taken the No 24 bus and Transport for London to shut him up…..”
Footnote:
The crash prevented me from speaking in the parliamentary debates on assisted suicide and full term abortions – but I did record my personal views: about the supreme human right – the very right to life. You can read them here….
Thank you for following my posts in 2025. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2026.
