For an hour this week I spoke to the parents of Azroo Raja, a 13 year old girl in Pakistan- abducted, forcibly converted and married. She has been taken into safety but not yet allowed to be reunited with her family. MPs have raised her case in the House of Commons

For an hour this week I spoke to the parents of Azroo Raja, a 13 year old girl in Pakistan- abducted, forcibly converted and married. She has been taken into safety but not yet allowed to be reunited with her family. MPs have raised her case in the House of Commons

Webinar highlighting the plight of women and girls from religious minorities - an estimated 1000 Christian and Hindu girls are abducted, forcibly converted, and married, every year in Pakistan. https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/6svgCVA3BF3RqABtzgAPF?domain=youtube.com...

Lord Patten on Hong Kong: “the rule of fear, rather than the rule of law” and says “China is involved at the moment in predatory purchasing wherever it can”. The case of the arrested and detained pro democracy activist Andy Li was raised in parliament.

Lord Patten on Hong Kong: “the rule of fear, rather than the rule of law” and says “China is involved at the moment in predatory purchasing wherever it can”. The case of the arrested and detained pro democracy activist Andy Li was raised in parliament.

The All Party Parliamentary Group today held a briefing meeting with Lord (Chris) Patten the last British Governor of Hong Kong: Full recording: Webinar with former Hong Kong Governor, Lord Patten, on “Hong Kong: what the future holds for this formerly autonomous...

August 22nd – the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief marked by a webinar organised by the Coalition for Genocide Response. In May 2019, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution establishing the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief to be marked on 22 August. In recent years, violence based on religion or belief is an ever-growing problem surpassing the threshold of the legal definition of crimes against humanity, war crimes and even genocide. Speakers will discuss some of the recent most egregious atrocities based on religion or belief and consider the response which is needed.

August 22nd – the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief marked by a webinar organised by the Coalition for Genocide Response. In May 2019, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution establishing the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief to be marked on 22 August. In recent years, violence based on religion or belief is an ever-growing problem surpassing the threshold of the legal definition of crimes against humanity, war crimes and even genocide. Speakers will discuss some of the recent most egregious atrocities based on religion or belief and consider the response which is needed.

    David Alton explains the background to the webinar Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6QACc8s1zM&feature=youtu.be...

The Coalition for Genocide Response: Webinar and Discussion, 5 PM (BST) August 5th, “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied – Daesh Fighters Still Enjoying Impunity Six Years On” – Speakers include Pieter Omtzigt, Dutch Parliamentarian,  Sareta Ashraph, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers, Abid Shamdeen, Executive Director of Nadia’s Initiative. Details of how to join are here:

The Coalition for Genocide Response: Webinar and Discussion, 5 PM (BST) August 5th, “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied – Daesh Fighters Still Enjoying Impunity Six Years On” – Speakers include Pieter Omtzigt, Dutch Parliamentarian,  Sareta Ashraph, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers, Abid Shamdeen, Executive Director of Nadia’s Initiative. Details of how to join are here:

The Coalition for Genocide Response: Webinar and Discussion, 5 PM (BST) August 5th, “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied - Daesh Fighters Still Enjoying Impunity Six Years On” - Speakers include Pieter Omtzigt, Dutch Parliamentarian,  Sareta Ashraph, Barrister,...

The case of Taiwanese democracy advocate, Lee Ming-che, jailed for five years in China and forced to eat rotting food and denied prison visits by his wife raised in Parliament during oral questions in the House of Lords.Minister acknowledges the worsening repression and denial of human rights in China and Hong Kong. And a protester reminds us of the barbarism of forced organ harvesting.

The case of Taiwanese democracy advocate, Lee Ming-che, jailed for five years in China and forced to eat rotting food and denied prison visits by his wife raised in Parliament during oral questions in the House of Lords.Minister acknowledges the worsening repression and denial of human rights in China and Hong Kong. And a protester reminds us of the barbarism of forced organ harvesting.

  The case of Taiwanese democracy advocate, Lee Ming -che, jailed for five years in China and forced to eat rotting food and denied prison visits by his wife raised in Parliament during oral questions in the House of Lords.Minister acknowledges the worsening...

The Truro Report

The Truro Report

https://youtu.be/49hJQtJHA38 A year ago the Bishop of Truro’s Report into the persecution of 250 million Christians world-wide  said of Nigeria: “Reports consistently showed that in Nigeria, month after month, on average hundreds of Christians were being killed...

Lord David Alton

For 18 years David Alton was a Member of the House of Commons and today he is an Independent Crossbench Life Peer in the UK House of Lords.

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Shirley Williams – Baroness Williams of Crosby: Requiescat in pace

Shirley Williams – Baroness Williams of Crosby: Requiescat in pace

1982, in Liverpool Edge Hill with Shirley Williams - then MP for Crosby - holding the centenary plate of Gladstone's Liberal Party, commemorating its five Prime Ministers. Shirley Williams – Baroness Williams of Crosby 1930-2021: Requiescat in pace Shirley Williams...

Imposition of Sanctions by the CCP. Statement by David Alton: “The CCP assumes that trading with a State credibly accused of Genocide will be more important to the UK than defending the values we cherish. They are fundamentally mistaken.”

Imposition of Sanctions by the CCP. Statement by David Alton: “The CCP assumes that trading with a State credibly accused of Genocide will be more important to the UK than defending the values we cherish. They are fundamentally mistaken.”

Imposition of Sanctions by the CCP. Statement by David Alton: “The CCP assumes that trading with a State credibly accused of Genocide will be more important to the UK than defending the values we cherish. They are fundamentally mistaken.” Commenting on the decision to...

In advance of Monday’s House of Commons forthcoming vote on the All Party House of Lords Genocide Amendment, Parliament was told that the Government is hiding behind the fiction of an imaginary judicial mechanism that will hold the CCP accountable for its genocide of the Xinjiang Uighurs. Last night, speaking to a Webinar organised by the Faiths United Youth Network David Alton said that trade deals had become more important than Genocide- “a word which dares not speak its name.”

In advance of Monday’s House of Commons forthcoming vote on the All Party House of Lords Genocide Amendment, Parliament was told that the Government is hiding behind the fiction of an imaginary judicial mechanism that will hold the CCP accountable for its genocide of the Xinjiang Uighurs. Last night, speaking to a Webinar organised by the Faiths United Youth Network David Alton said that trade deals had become more important than Genocide- “a word which dares not speak its name.”

In advance of Monday's House of Commons forthcoming vote on the All Party House of Lords Genocide Amendment, Parliament was told that the Government is hiding behind the fiction of an imaginary judicial mechanism that will hold the CCP accountable for its genocide of...

Government Questioned Today about massacre at Axum in Tigray, and allegations of crimes against humanity. In written replies it says it is unable to “verify reports that this includes the transfer of military equipment and money by the Government of Ethiopia to the Government of Eritrea”; “condemns the destruction of the Hitsats and Shimbella refugee camps in Tigray” and forced return of refugees would contravene the 1951 Refugee Convention; and says ” We are keeping the provision of aid to Ethiopia under constant review.”

Government Questioned Today about massacre at Axum in Tigray, and allegations of crimes against humanity. In written replies it says it is unable to “verify reports that this includes the transfer of military equipment and money by the Government of Ethiopia to the Government of Eritrea”; “condemns the destruction of the Hitsats and Shimbella refugee camps in Tigray” and forced return of refugees would contravene the 1951 Refugee Convention; and says ” We are keeping the provision of aid to Ethiopia under constant review.”

Government Questioned Today about massacre at Axum in Tigray, and allegations of crimes against humanity. In written replies it says it is unable to "verify reports that this includes the transfer of military equipment and money by the Government of Ethiopia to the...

November warning “Tigray on the edge of Genocide” ignored.Amnesty and Human Rights Watch Report on Atrocity Crimes in Tigray. On Tuesday Parliamentarians will challenge Ministers to say when the U.K. will be taking action at the UN Security Council following blocks by China and Russia after attempts by Ireland to raise it.

November warning “Tigray on the edge of Genocide” ignored.Amnesty and Human Rights Watch Report on Atrocity Crimes in Tigray. On Tuesday Parliamentarians will challenge Ministers to say when the U.K. will be taking action at the UN Security Council following blocks by China and Russia after attempts by Ireland to raise it.

Following urgent letters to Foreign Office Ministers on Thursday and Friday last week - and several written Parliament Questions whichI tabled - on Tuesday I have secured the Topical Oral Question in the House to ask the Government how they are responding to reports...

The Commonwealth was urged today, in a Parliamentary debate about modern slavery and human trafficking, to mobilise the 2 billion people who live in Commonwealth countries both demonstrating its values and giving hope to millions of benighted and downtrodden people

The Commonwealth was urged today, in a Parliamentary debate about modern slavery and human trafficking, to mobilise the 2 billion people who live in Commonwealth countries both demonstrating its values and giving hope to millions of benighted and downtrodden people

4th March 2021:Lord Alton:Could the Minister say whether he supports the calls of the Arise charity, of which I am a Trustee, for mandatory human rights due diligence and mandatory transparency guidelines through company supply chains? Building on the UK’s landmark...

Andrew Mitchell is right to call upon all those who care about the holocaust, genocide, and justice to take up the cause of the souls of the slaughtered Tutsis who cry out for justice. He says “Britain has turned a deaf ear. We should all be ashamed.” And, What I Learnt at Rwanda’s Murambi Genocide site in 2004 and in Darfur as “never again” happened all over again.

Andrew Mitchell is right to call upon all those who care about the holocaust, genocide, and justice to take up the cause of the souls of the slaughtered Tutsis who cry out for justice. He says “Britain has turned a deaf ear. We should all be ashamed.” And, What I Learnt at Rwanda’s Murambi Genocide site in 2004 and in Darfur as “never again” happened all over again.

In my 2004 report I described how “56,000 bodies were found there, and we walked from classroom to classroom, viewing 852 remains that have been disinterred. Within a few days of the massacre, a volleyball court had been built on top of one of the mass graves which,...

All-Party Genocide Amendment Passed After Second Debate in the Lords by 359 votes to 188. With a majority of 171it returns to the House of Commons on Tuesday next – having been defeated by a slender Government majority of 11 votes on the first time of consideration during ping pong between the two Houses. Full debate and briefing here:

All-Party Genocide Amendment Passed After Second Debate in the Lords by 359 votes to 188. With a majority of 171it returns to the House of Commons on Tuesday next – having been defeated by a slender Government majority of 11 votes on the first time of consideration during ping pong between the two Houses. Full debate and briefing here:

Trade Bill (Ping Pong Amendment) February 2nd 2021. Video here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/7347b7f0-bd38-464a-8ddc-11e2e6bf55e0 All-Party Genocide Amendment Passed After Second Debate in the Lords by 359 votes to 188. With a majority of 171it returns to the...

For the Uyghurs, Genocide is a word which dares not speak its name. For the sake of women like Rahima Mahmut, Gulzira Auelkhan, Sayragul Sauytbay, and Ruqiye Perhat – whose heart-breaking, shocking, stories are recorded here – it’s time that the crime of genocide was given definition in the UK. On January 19th Parliament can use its voice and speak that name – insisting on justice for victims of Genocide and refusing to make tawdry trade deals with those responsible for the crime above all crimes.

For the Uyghurs, Genocide is a word which dares not speak its name. For the sake of women like Rahima Mahmut, Gulzira Auelkhan, Sayragul Sauytbay, and Ruqiye Perhat – whose heart-breaking, shocking, stories are recorded here – it’s time that the crime of genocide was given definition in the UK. On January 19th Parliament can use its voice and speak that name – insisting on justice for victims of Genocide and refusing to make tawdry trade deals with those responsible for the crime above all crimes.

For the Uyghurs Genocide is a word which dares not speak its name ================================================= Extract: What word comes into your mind when you hear evidence of  a State  complicit in the destruction of a people’s identity; complicit in...

Stop Organ Harvesting In China

Stop Organ Harvesting In China

As the Medicines and Medical Devices Bill Bill comes to be discussed in Parliament, at its Report Stage in the House of Lords these speeches on forced organ harvesting were made by members from all sides of the House. Second Reading: ...

The Place In Which We Work

The Place In Which We Work

The Houses of Parliament We all see the place where we work very differently. At the end of another very long day, at 8.30 pm tonight, I was alone in the House of Lords cafeteria - where the wonderful (mainly Polish) staff were living out Napoleon‘s maxim that armies...

The World Must Not Forget Andy Li And The Hong Kong 12

The World Must Not Forget Andy Li And The Hong Kong 12

With Andy Li During The Hong Kong Elections In the U.K. Parliament I have again asked the U.K. Government what information they have on the wellbeing of the 12 young prodemocracy activists from Hong Kong, arrested by China. I asked whether the U.K. has asked China to...

Minister asked to call out CCP at next UN Human Rights Council

Minister asked to call out CCP at next UN Human Rights Council

As a Patron of HKW and an officer of the APPG on Hong Kong, I personally know  Martin Lee, father of HK democracy, Margaret Ng, a formidable lawyer and Jimmy Lai, Champion of free speech and the full holder of a UK passport.  Does the Minister agree they deserve...