[{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44166","proposer":"10133","edm":"34","session":"2012-13","title":"Administrative Detention In Palestine","text":"That this House notes the desperate plight of over 2,000 Palestinian political prisoners who are on hunger strike in protest against inhumane treatment and the denial of basic human rights including administrative detention, the punitive use of solitary confinement and refusal of family visits; notes with concern that some prisoners are close to death;further notes the negligible media coverage being given to this non-violent protest; further notes the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Richard Falk, has called on the international community to act to ensure that Israel complies with international human rights law which it is currently violating with impunity; andcommends the Government for speaking out against the refusal of visits and the shackling of children but calls for more robust representations as a matter of urgency including on the incarceration of the Speaker and 26 members of the Palestinian Legislative Assembly most of whom are currently detained without charge or trial.","date":"2012-05-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44171","proposer":"10258","edm":"39","session":"2012-13","title":"Missing Bangladeshi Mp Illias Ali","text":"That this House notes the recent disappearance of the Bangladeshi National Party former member of parliament and organising secretary of the Central Committee of the Bangladeshi National Party, Illias Ali, and his driver; is concerned for their personal safety; further notes that Mr Ali has family in the UK and many of his supporters have expressed deep concern over his disappearance; encourages the Bangladeshi government to do everything it can to ensure the safe return of Mr Ali and his driver; and urges the Government to make representations to the Bangladeshi government to ensure that they do everything possible for the safe return of Mr Ali and his driver.","date":"2012-05-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44099","proposer":"11798","edm":"2991","session":"2010-12","title":"Missing Bangladeshi Mp Illias Ali","text":"That this House notes the recent disappearance of the Bangladeshi National Party former Member of Parliament and Organising Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bangladeshi National Party, Illias Ali, and his driver; is concerned for their personal safety; further notes that Mr Ali has family in the UK and many of his supporters here have expressed deep concern over his disappearance; encourages the Bangladeshi government to do everything it can to ensure the safe return of Mr Ali and his driver; and urges the UK Government to make representations to the Bangladeshi government to ensure that they do everything possiblefor the safe return of Mr Ali and his driver.","date":"2012-04-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44069","proposer":"13864","edm":"2961","session":"2010-12","title":"Aung San Suu Kyi","text":"That this House offers sincere congratulations to Nobel peaceprize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on theelectoral success of her party in the Burmese elections; encourages the National League of Democracy in its attempt to bring peace and stability; and offers the support of this House in the establishment of a truly democratic process in Burma.","date":"2012-04-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44078","proposer":"10133","edm":"2970","session":"2010-12","title":"Bahrain Grand Prix And Human Rights","text":"That this House is astonished that the Bahrain Formula 1 race is going ahead despite huge concerns over abuse of human rights expressed by Amnesty International and others; notes that a trial is continuing of 52 medical professionals who tried to help victims of the suppression of protests; believes that the Formula 1 race will be used by the Bahrain government as an endorsement of its policies of suppression of dissent; and accordingly calls for its cancellation.","date":"2012-04-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44049","proposer":"10258","edm":"2941","session":"2010-12","title":"Violence Against The Nuba People","text":"That this House condemns the continued violenceagainst the people of the Nuba Mountains by the Sudanese government; is concerned over the continuation of military offensives in the region, the denial of access for humanitarian aid and journalists and the killing of citizens directly through bombing campaigns; considers the death of many others because of lack of access to medical care, malnutrition, dehydration and displacement as deplorable; and urges the Government to act urgently to increase pressure on the Sudanese government to halt violence against its own people and to allow accessfor foreign aid to bring an end to these gross violations of human rights.","date":"2012-04-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44050","proposer":"10519","edm":"2942","session":"2010-12","title":"Burma (No. 2)","text":"That this House recognises the enormous sacrifices made by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi throughout her long confinement and congratulates her and the National League for Democracy on their success in the by-elections in Burma; welcomes the reform steps taken so far by President Thein Sein; supports a limited relaxation of EU sanctions, in order to encourage further reform while maintaining trade and investment sanctions, until the unconditional release of all political prisoners and an end to military attacks against ethnic minority civilians are met; expresses concern that hundreds of political prisoners remain in jail and that the International Committee of the Red Cross is still being denied access to assess conditions and the number of prisoners; and calls on the British Government to ensure pressure is maintained on the government of Burma to begin repealing repressive laws and making sustainable democratic reforms.","date":"2012-04-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44054","proposer":"10575","edm":"2946","session":"2010-12","title":"Global Peace Index","text":"That this House looks forward to the forthcoming publication by the Institute of Economics and Peace of the sixth annual Global Peace Index, which measures ongoing domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society and militarisation in 158 countries; notes with concern the continuous decrease in internal peacefulness in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011; further notes that violence cost the world an estimated 5.2 trillion in 2011; welcomes the identification in the Index of areas across which governments and other stakeholders can take action which builds social resilience and enables countries better to withstand severe shocks; and urges the Government to consider this peace dividend when developing domestic and external policy.","date":"2012-04-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44036","proposer":"14142","edm":"2929","session":"2010-12","title":"Treatment Of Youcef Nadarkhani","text":"That this House deplores the death sentence for apostasy passed by Iranian courts on the Iranian Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in 2010; further deplores that sentence's confirmation by the Iranian Supreme Court in September 2011; notes with alarm reports that Nadarkhani's case has been sent to the implementation department of the Iranian justice system, which may suggest that Nadarkhani is at imminent risk of execution; praises the efforts of various parties, including the Foreign Secretary, Brazilian Senator Marcelo Crivella, the American Center for Law and Justice, Harris Zafar of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the US, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner, the Slavic Centre for Law and Justice in Russia and the Save Youcef Nadarkhani from Execution Facebook page for their efforts to protect Nadarkhani; further deplores the persecution of Christian converts, Baha'is and atheists in Iran; further deplores all persecution of individuals for their faith or absence thereof in all countries where such persecution occurs; and calls on the Iranian state to immediately lift the sentence and release Pastor Nadarkhani.","date":"2012-03-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44027","proposer":"11221","edm":"2920","session":"2010-12","title":"Famagusta, Cyprus","text":"That this House welcomes the clear declaration recently made by the European Parliament calling for Turkey to return the closed area of the town of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants; notes that this declaration is very clearly in line with the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council on Famagusta; and calls on the Government andthe EU to make very clear to Turkey the key role that it can play in making certain that real progress is made in ensuring that this declaration is implemented in the very near future and to work closely with the Mayor of Famagusta, Mr Alexis Galanos, in implementing such a settlement.","date":"2012-03-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"44004","proposer":"11093","edm":"2899","session":"2010-12","title":"Toulouse Attacks And The Response To Them","text":"That this House is outraged and horrified by the attack on a Jewish school in Toulouse, France; sends condolences to all the families, friends and communities affected and to the people and Parliament of France; notes the recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism which set out a political roadmap for tackling anti-Semitism at governmental, parliamentary and civic levels; furthernotes the improved arrangements for security of Jewish schools, recording of anti-Semitic incidents by police and the improved prosecution practices resulting from the inquiry recommendations; believes that robustness in tackling racism is critical even when uncomfortable to do so; further notes that British examples of best practice such as the work of the Community Security Trust can be modelled by other countries; calls on the Government to share with countries across Europe and beyond the work carried out in the UK so that parliaments across the world can support minority communities in defending themselves; believes that evil like this, though rare in recent years, can strike at any place at any time in any country; further believes that elected politicians must be the ones to take a lead in fighting anti-Semitism and racism; and further calls on parliaments across Europe and the world to keep this issue on their agenda.","date":"2012-03-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43984","proposer":"24857","edm":"2879","session":"2010-12","title":"China's Forcible Repatriation Of North Korean Refugees","text":"That this House notes with grave concern China's policy to forcibly repatriate North Korean refugees; expresses outrage at the recent repatriation of at least 41 North Koreans; urges Chinese authorities to desist from further repatriations; further urges China to allow safe passage for refugees to third countries; further notes that China is a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and the Convention against Torture; further urges China to uphold international law and respect the principle of non-refoulement; further urges China to recognise that economic migrants from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are refugees sur place, defined by the United Nations, on account of the persecution they are likely to faceupon return; further notes that North Korea announced in December 2011 its intention to annihilate up to three generations of a family if a person fled during the 100 day period of mourning of Kim Jong-il; further notes that in 2010 the DPRK Ministry of Public Security issued a decree making defection a crime of treachery against the nation; further notes widespread reports of arrest, imprisonment, torture and execution faced by North Korean refugees upon return; further notes that North Korean refugees suspected of contacting South Koreans, converting to Christianity, or possessing a Bible face especially severe punishment; calls on China to allow United Nations access to all North Korean refugees in China; further calls on the DPRK to desist from arresting or persecuting those who have been repatriated; and further urges the Government to raise this as a matter of urgency with China, the DPRK and inthe United Nations.","date":"2012-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43988","proposer":"10133","edm":"2883","session":"2010-12","title":"Jeju Island","text":"That this House acknowledges the five-year struggle of the Gangeong villagers of the World Heritage site of Jeju Island against their government's plans to build a huge naval base which will wipe out totally the village and nearby coastline's unique ecosystems and farmlands and fishing grounds; notes the forced arrests of local residents, priests and international activists who require the UK's support; most significantly notes that the naval base will afford the USthe right to have a station there which may increase tensions between the US and China and jeopardise South Korea's national security; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Jeju government against the building of the naval base.","date":"2012-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43970","proposer":"10220","edm":"2866","session":"2010-12","title":"16 March Demonstrations In Riga","text":"That this House expresses its deep concern about the 16 March demonstrations in Riga; notes that whilst these annual demonstrations purport to be celebrating Latvian independence, they also celebrate Latvian veterans of Waffen SS detachments as war heroes, who fought on behalf of the Third Reich and who played an integral part in the Latvian Holocaust; further notes that the demonstrations begun initially by the Nazi organisation Club 415 are joined by recognised neo-Nazi organisations from outside Latvia and have been growing in size alarmingly since their commencement in 1998; condemns the demonstrators for spreading messages of anti-Semitism and denying involvement in the Holocaust; and urges the government of Latvia, which has previously condoned the demonstrations, to oppose this tribute match for the Latvian Waffen SS detachments and their crimes against humanity.","date":"2012-03-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43965","proposer":"10203","edm":"2861","session":"2010-12","title":"Azerbaijan","text":"That this House considers that the Eurovision Song Contest provides a unique opportunity to promote a peaceful and just solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with international law; calls for the fulfilment of the UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884, thereturn of all refugees to their homes and the establishment of a permanent peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan;further calls on Azerbaijani authorities to release all political prisoners, to respect human rights and freedom of expression and speech, and to end its persecution of the opposition; and further calls on Azerbaijani authorities to allow and enable the Council of Europe's Rapporteur on political prisoners, Christoph Strasser, to visit Azerbaijan to fulfil his mandate and to produce the much-delayed report on political prisoners.","date":"2012-03-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43948","proposer":"10074","edm":"2844","session":"2010-12","title":"Commonwealth Day 2012","text":"That this House commends on Commonwealth Day the important work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch; values its contributions to international parliamentary diplomacy and parliamentary strengthening; and welcomes the resolution of the international Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to increase and enhance its programmes across all regions of the Association.","date":"2012-03-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43953","proposer":"11963","edm":"2849","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Bahrain (No. 2)","text":"That this House expresses its concern at reports of increased violence by the Bahraini security services in the run up to and aftermath of the anniversary of pro-democracy protests in 2011; notes with deep regret the death of over 50 people during protests since last February as highlighted by Amnesty International; supports the calls in December by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights for the release of political prisoners in Bahrain and reinstatement of all those who lost their jobs as a result of participating in protests; urges the Government to put every diplomatic pressure possible on the government of Bahrain to bring about an immediate end to violence and repression against its own people; and believes the UK should not allow arms, crowd control or surveillance technology to be exported to Bahrain.","date":"2012-03-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43789","proposer":"24828","edm":"2690","session":"2010-12","title":"20th Anniversary Of The Khojaly Tragedy","text":"That this House notes that 26 February 2012 represents the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy when 613 men, women and children were killed by invading Armenian forces; further notes that Armenia still illegally occupies 18 per cent. of Azerbaijani territory in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions; and hopes that the Government can facilitate progress towards a peaceful resolution of this long-running conflict.","date":"2012-02-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43791","proposer":"24794","edm":"2692","session":"2010-12","title":"Treatment Of The Jarawa Tribe","text":"That this House is concerned that tourists in India's Andaman Islands are treating the recently-contacted Jarawa tribe like an attraction in a human safari park; notes the ongoing media storm in India and worldwide caused by the video of Jarawa women being exploited; further notes that the abuse was carried out on the Andaman Trunk Road which was ordered to be closed by the Supreme Court of India in 2002; expresses concern that the government of India is yet to act on the Supreme Court's ruling despite the current storm of protest; further notes the overwhelming evidence of harm caused by the continued and illegal use of the road; and calls on the government of India to provide an alternative route and to take immediate action to close the Andaman Trunk Road in compliance with the law.","date":"2012-02-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43732","proposer":"11093","edm":"2635","session":"2010-12","title":"Gabrielle Giffords","text":"That this House salutes the courage and leadership of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords over the last year; believes that she has been a shining example of democracy to people across the world and an example to all in her brave recovery; wishes her speed and success in completing her recovery over future months and years; and looks forward to her future re-involvement at the heart of US politics.","date":"2012-01-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43703","proposer":"10231","edm":"2607","session":"2010-12","title":"Kashmir Graves","text":"That this House notes with sadness and regret the discovery of over 6,000 unmarked graves in the area of demarcation known as the Line-of-Control on the border between Indian and Pakistani controlled Kashmir; further notes that this discovery was the focus of a recent Crossing Continents programme entitled Graves of Kashmir produced by BBC Radio 4; believes that these graves, the majority of which appear to be the bodies of unknown young men, constitute a large proportion of the estimated 8,000 to 10,000 who disappeared during the conflict in Kashmir, one of the heaviest militarised zones in the world; and calls on the Government to press for co-operation on this matter between the governments of India and Pakistan, and for the early use of forensic and DNA techniques to investigate and establish the identify of those in the graves so that relatives may finally know the fate of loved ones.","date":"2012-01-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43692","proposer":"24784","edm":"2596","session":"2010-12","title":"Iranian Diplomatic Defections","text":"That this House notes that several senior diplomats have defected from the Iranian foreign service in revulsion at the actions of the Tehran regime; further notes that in so doing they are at risk of lethal reprisals against them and their families from the Iranian regime and that they have suffered an immediate loss of income; is deeply concerned that lack of support for these brave people will deter possibly many others in the Iranian diplomatic service from following their example; believes that those who have already defected or resigned their posts should be treated much better and that this could turn a trickle of defections into a flood that would illustrate the regime's growing lack of legitimacy with its own people as well as provide very useful information about how the Iranian regime operates which could accelerate the process whereby the Iranian people can change their regime; further believes that this would enable the Iranian people to proceed to peaceful democratic change that could see the reintegration of Iran into the international community and the resolution of key issues of concern to the UN and others such as the current regime's desire to become an armed nuclear power; and urges the Government to take up the issue of how defecting diplomats are treated with its counterparts in relevant countries.","date":"2012-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43686","proposer":"10133","edm":"2590","session":"2010-12","title":"Weapons Of Mass Destruction Free Zone In The Middle East","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's support for the establishment of a weapons of mass destruction free zone in the Middle East since the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference; further welcomes progress in appointing a host country and facilitator in Finland and Jaakko Laajva; notes that with growing tension the establishment of the zone is vital to the long-term peace and security of the region; believes it vital that no state in the region develops, produces, acquires or permits the stationing on their territories, or territories under their control, of nuclear weapons; and urges the Government to do all it can to ensure that a conference involving all states in the region takes place in 2012.","date":"2012-01-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43651","proposer":"10133","edm":"2556","session":"2010-12","title":"Elections In Democratic Republic Of Congo","text":"That this House expresses deep concern at the conduct of the recent elections in Democratic Republic of Congo; notes that the respected Carter Centre found that the election results announced by the Electoral Commission lacked credibility and that in a detailed analysis from its 26 teams covering 10 provinces, expressed a number of concerns including the process at Mulemba Nkulu voting staions in Katanga which reported 99.46 per cent. turnout with 100 per cent. of the votes going to President Kabila; further notes that the EU observer mission expressed concern that 17 per cent. of votes were cast from missing persons' registers, twice the number recorded in 2006; further notes the United Nations Stabilisation Mission observed that there were `significant irregularities' in the counting and tabulation of votes; and therefore, in view of the widspread concerns and protests throughout the country, questions the legitimacy of the elction process and whether the result is a genuine expression of the wishes of the people of Democratic Republic of Congo.","date":"2011-12-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43646","proposer":"10133","edm":"2551","session":"2010-12","title":"Eu Fishery Agreement With Morocco","text":"That this House welcomes the decision by the European Parliament to reject the extension of the fishery agreement with Morocco because of the exploitation of the disputed waters off the Western Sahara Coast; and hopes that there will be no further agreements between the EU and Morocco that allow any exploitation of the natural resources of the Western Sahara until such time as the people have been able to exercise their right of self determination.","date":"2011-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43622","proposer":"10327","edm":"2527","session":"2010-12","title":"Killing Of Mustafa Tamimi By Israeli Soldiers","text":"That this House expresses its revulsion at the deliberate killing by Israeli soldiers of Mustafa Tamimi, aged 28 years, while the Palestinian was taking part in a peaceful demonstration at Nabi Saleh on Friday 9 December 2011; notes that an Israeli soldier specifically and deliberately aimed a gas canister at Mustafa Tamimi's head, which hit him point-blank inflicting horrific injuries; further notes that these Israeli soldiers blocked access to an ambulance, pushed around Mustafa Tamimi's sister, who was deeply distressed by her brother's appalling injuries, and laughed and gloated at her; and calls for international action, rather than mild remonstrances, to prevent further Israeli murder of innocent Palestinians.","date":"2011-12-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43630","proposer":"10428","edm":"2535","session":"2010-12","title":"Turkey And Cyprus","text":"That this House expresses its continued concern about the illegal occupation and governance of the northern part of the island of Cyprus by Turkey following its invasion in 1974; notes that despite international efforts Turkey refuses to withdraw its military forces, or allow Greek Cypriot citizens to return to their homes and properties, whilst encouraging wrongful settlement in the area by immigrants whom they allow to exploit land and properties expropriated from their rightful owners without any regard for national Cypriot cultural heritage; and calls on the Government as a guarantor power, to insist of Turkey that it adopts a more constructive attitudein negotiations aimed at establishing a viable, fair and lasting solution tothe problem,and that asa gesture of goodwill it should agree to allow refugees from the ghost town ofFamagusta and surrounding areas to returnto their homes as outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 550 (1984)and 789 (1992).","date":"2011-12-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43610","proposer":"10203","edm":"2515","session":"2010-12","title":"Iran","text":"That this House is alarmed that the UK is stumbling towards a war in Iran that would have dreadful, unforeseeable consequences; recalls that in the past the momentum of preparations for war has frequently led to major wars; and urges the Government to seek to reduce tension, pursue conflict resolution and cease war preparations.","date":"2011-12-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43512","proposer":"11817","edm":"2422","session":"2010-12","title":"Fifth Anniversary Of Al Jazeera English","text":"That this House congratulates the award-winning Al Jazeera English on its fifth anniversary on 15 November 2011; recognises Al Jazeera's important role in developing freedom of speech throughout the Middle East and beyond; and wishes Al Jazeera every success in continuing to provide a voice to the voiceless, and putting grassroots journalism at the centre of the news agenda.","date":"2011-11-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43500","proposer":"10383","edm":"2410","session":"2010-12","title":"British Journalist Held By Israel","text":"That this House expresses its extreme concern at the illegal detention by Israel since 4 November 2011 of Hassan Ghani, a British journalist, who was on board the Tahrir which, along with the Soairse, was delivering aid to Gaza; and calls on the UK Government to seek the immediate release of Hassan Ghani by Israel.","date":"2011-11-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43490","proposer":"11323","edm":"2400","session":"2010-12","title":"Recent Arrests In Turkey","text":"That this House deplores the recent arrest by the Turkish authorities of the respected professor and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Assembly member Bsra Ersanli and the veteran publisher and writer Ragip Zarakolu; believes that the arrest of two such distinguished figures in Turkish public life has rightly provoked outrage inside the country; notes that there are growing calls inside Turkey for an end to the policy of confrontation and of sweeping criminalisation of Kurdish organisations and for a move to reconciliation and conflict resolution through negotiation; and urges the Government to lend its support to those calls and for it to make clear to the Turkish government its disapproval of those arrests.","date":"2011-11-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43455","proposer":"10292","edm":"2366","session":"2010-12","title":"Eta Ceasefire","text":"That this House welcomes the recent declaration by the Basque group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) of a permanent and verifiable ceasefire at the Donastia-San Sebastian Peace Conference; further welcomes the commitment todecommission weapons; notes the contribution to this initiative by Kofi Annan, Bertie Ahern, Gro HarlemBruntland,Pierre Joxe, Gerry Adams and Jonathan Powell; recognises the support offered to the declaration by Tony Blair, Jimmy Carter and George Mitchell; and calls on the international community tolend support to securing a permanent and peaceful settlement.","date":"2011-11-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43441","proposer":"11817","edm":"2353","session":"2010-12","title":"Gadaffi Loyalists","text":"That this House notes that some 30 Gadaffi regime loyalists, including Gadaffi family members, are reportedly under house arrest in Niger; sends its respectful wishes to His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, President of Niger; asks him to co-operate with the International Criminal Court in the Hague and authorities in Libya to ensure the immediate extradition of Gadaffi loyalists wanted for crimes against humanity currently seeking sanctuary in his country; and believes that this a golden opportunity for Niger to show the world her aspiration for peace, stability and democracy to prevail in Africa.","date":"2011-11-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43415","proposer":"10256","edm":"2327","session":"2010-12","title":"Self-Immolations In Tibet","text":"That this House is greatly saddened by the disturbing news of 10 incidents of self-immolation in eastern Tibet by young Tibetan monks, former monks and a nun, five tragically losing their lives; condemns the Chinese government's ongoing repression in Tibet that serves to exacerbate the frustration and desperation felt by the Tibetan people; calls on the Prime Minister to make a public statement of concern about this grave situation; and further calls on the Government to make urgent representations to the Chinese government to urge that it takes measures to ease the situation by withdrawing its troops from Kirti monastery, to verify the condition and whereabouts of the monks who have disappeared since self-immolating, to allow international independent observers to visit the region and to respect the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people including the right freely to practise their religion.","date":"2011-10-31","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43424","proposer":"10231","edm":"2336","session":"2010-12","title":"Anniversary Of Occupation Of Kashmir (No. 2)","text":"That this House records that 27 October 2011 marked the 64th anniversary of the Indian occupation of large areas of the state of Jammu and Kashmir; notes and applauds the improvement in confidence-building measures which had led, until recently, to a welcome improvement in relations between India and Pakistan; regrets, however, that recent demonstrations have led to a totally unacceptable number of deaths, particularly amongst young protesters; and believes that ultimately such demonstrations will only cease with the prospect of meaningful change, an end to repression and the right of the people of Kashmir to determine their own future.","date":"2011-10-31","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43398","proposer":"24959","edm":"2310","session":"2010-12","title":"Presidential And Parliamentary Elections In The Democratic Republic Of Congo","text":"That this House recognises the critical importance of the presidential and parliamentary elections due to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on28 November 2011; calls on the UK Government and international community to act to help ensure the elections are free and fair; notes the commitment of successive UK Government administrations to supporting the democratic electoral process in the DRC and to working to eradicate levels of violence, particularly against women; further notes that there will be 62,000 polling stations for a population of over 71 million in a country the size of Western Europe and therefore calls on the international community, including the UK, USA and EU to send adequate numbers of impartial international election observers; further calls on all stakeholders to do more to deliver adequate impartial domestic and regional election observers; further recognises the importance of the elections in securing democracy in the DRC and the importance to regional stability that these elections are transparent and secure; and further calls on all political parties to respect the rule of law and conduct their campaign in a non-violent manner.","date":"2011-10-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43388","proposer":"11817","edm":"2300","session":"2010-12","title":"Inquiry Into Mr Tony Blair And Colonel Gaddafi","text":"That this House urges the Government to initiate a full independent inquiry into Mr Tony Blair's financial engagement with the late Colonel Gaddafi.","date":"2011-10-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43374","proposer":"11221","edm":"2289","session":"2010-12","title":"Visit By The Turkish Prime Minister To Cyprus","text":"That this House notes with deep concern that the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Tayip Erdogan, on his recent visit to Northern Cyprus, occupied by the Turkish army following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island of Cyprus, stated that the town of Morphou would not be returned to the Republic of Cyprus in any settlement that is made to this long-running tragedy in a country which is a member of the Commonwealth, the EU and the United Nations;believes that this provocative statement by the Prime Minister of Turkey, a country now seeking membership of the EU, very clearly puts in question the real commitment of Turkey to a meaningful involvement in the discussion under the United Nations which is now taking place on Cyprus; and therefore calls on the Government and the leaders of the EU to deplore this very unhelpful and provocative statement and to make their concern very clearly known to the government of Turkey.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43376","proposer":"24784","edm":"2225A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel's Treatment Of Palestinian Prisoners","text":"leave out from `House' to end and insert `notes that there are 7,000 Palestinian detainees under the supervision of the Israel Prison Service (IPS); further notes that whilst allegations of torture in Israeli prisons have been made in the past, the International Red Cross has never condemned Israel for torturous treatment; further notes that Israel has invested significantly into its prison service, last year alone investing 30 million New Israeli Shekels for renovating prisons; further notes that Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons have equal access to education to Israeli inmates and that hundreds of Palestinian detainees acquire higher education through Open University, while others complete their matriculation certificates, more than 10,000 of which have been achieved since 2000 by detainees in the occupation prisons, and that last summer 3,300 prisoners took the formal Palestinian Authority exams; and further notes that a medical clinic is staffed with a physician and a medic at every detention facility, medical examination is conducted daily and the IPS operate a specialist detention facility for prisoners with physical and mental problems, where prisoners with chronic illnesses are cared for.'.","date":"2011-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43350","proposer":"11323","edm":"2267","session":"2010-12","title":"Turkish -\u0000 Kurdish Peace Negotiations","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at the worsening of relations between Turkey and the Kurds since the election in June; warns against the consequences of the renewed wave of arrests of leading Kurdish politicians, civil society activists and professionals; calls on Turkey to halt immediately its cross-border military operations and bombing of Kurdish camps inside Iraq; believes that this policy of seeking a solution to the Kurdish question by military means and increased repression will prove futile and can only provoke future unrest and conflict; and urges the Government to exert its influence on Turkish leaders to change course and take steps towards a negotiated settlement with the legitimate representatives of the Kurdish people.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43351","proposer":"10128","edm":"2268","session":"2010-12","title":"Marzieh Vafamehr And Free Speech In Iran","text":"That this House condemns the conviction of Marzieh Vafamehr, an Iranian actress who has been sentenced to 90 lashes and one year in jail for her role in starring in the film My Tehran for Sale, an Australian film about an actress whose theatre work is banned in Iran; notes that Marzieh Vafamehr is not the only member of the Iranian film industry who has been arrested in recent years; further notes that Pegah Ahangarani, a popular Iranian actor was released from jail in July 2011, Jafar Panahi, an Iranian director received a six year prison sentence and a 20 year ban from film-making in 2010 and Ramin Parchami, an actor who voiced support for the Iranian opposition, remains in jail; believes that it is completely unacceptable that Marzieh Vafamehr and other members of the Iranian film industry are being imprisoned for their artistic activities; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Iranian authorities so that Marzieh and other Iranian actors and directors are released from prison immediately.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43353","proposer":"10231","edm":"2270","session":"2010-12","title":"Syria","text":"That this House notes with the gravest concern the growing escalation of the crisis in Syria and the ruthless repression of anti-government protesters; further notes that the reported death toll in the demonstrations that began in March 2011 against President Bashar al-Assad now exceeds 3000, including at least 187 children; welcomes the recent statement made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who has called for international action to protect Syrian civilians and the intensification of diplomatic pressure on the Assad regime after the Arab League set a 15-day deadline for the Syrian government to open dialogue with the opposition in Cairo; shares the High Commissioner's concerns and those of the British-Syria All-Party Parliamentary Group who believe that the scale of the repression and daily killings are totally unacceptable and deserve international condemnation; further notes that Syria's recent incursion across the Lebanese border can only further destabilise the region; and calls on the Government to continue its efforts to bring about an end to the violence and a transition to democracy.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43359","proposer":"11221","edm":"2276","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Colombia","text":"That this House calls on the Government to encourage both the government of the Republic of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to engage in a peace process in order to find a politically negotiated solution to the conflict in Colombia; believes there are ongoing widespread human rights abuses in that country; notes recent indications by the Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos that he is interested in finding a peaceful solution; considers that the United Kingdom and the government of the Republic of Ireland are uniquely placed to support such negotiations, drawing on their experience and being signatories to the international peace treaty, the Good Friday Agreement; and believes that such an initiative could also involve a team nominated by the Northern Ireland Executive and representatives of the other principle parties involved in the peace process.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43341","proposer":"24852","edm":"2258","session":"2010-12","title":"Release Of Political Prisoners In Burma (No. 2)","text":"That this House acknowledges the reported release of approximately 100 political prisoners in Burma, according to figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners; welcomes the release of any political prisoners; is, however, concerned that the number of releases is small relative to the high number of political prisoners who remain in detention; notes that previous mass releases of political prisoners in Burma have not historically led to significant democratic reform or a long-term reduction in the number of political prisoners; further notes the view of the Burma Campaign UK that the release of political prisoners would have to be a significant change from what has gone before if it is to signify the possibility that real change is on the way, and the view of the National League for Democracy which has stated that the release of all political prisoners is a key benchmark for change; is further concerned by reports that activists are still being arrested and jailed, and that the laws that allowed them to be arrested are still in place; and calls on the Government to make representations for the release of all political prisoners and the promotion and protection of human rights in Burma.","date":"2011-10-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43323","proposer":"24784","edm":"2195A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Bedouins And The Government Of Israel","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes that Israel is one of the most open societies in the world and that out of a population of seven million, about 1.3 million, 20 per cent. of the population, are non-Jews (including approximately 1.1 million Muslims); further notes that Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights and it is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Arab women may vote; welcomes the fact that Arabs currently hold eight seats in the 120-seat Knesset and that Israeli Arabs have also held various high profile government posts, including Foreign Minister, ambassador to Finland and the current deputy mayor of Tel Aviv; further notes that Arabic, like Hebrew, is an official language in Israel, with more than 300,000 Arab children attending Israeli schools; and further notes that many Bedouins have served in Israeli army units and other Arabs have volunteered for military duty'.","date":"2011-10-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43324","proposer":"10203","edm":"2204A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Azerbaijani Independence Twentieth Anniversary","text":"leave out from `1991;' to end and add `notes the concern expressed by human rights groups that Azerbaijan has grown increasingly authoritarian in recent years; further notes with alarm the Human Rights Watch report, Beaten, Blacklisted and Behind Bars, which documents government efforts to limit freedom of expression and silence dissenting journalists; further notes that in 2010 Azerbaijan was further ranked 134 out of 178 in the World Corruption Index by Transparency International; is dismayed that Azerbaijan's independent election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre could not consider last year's election democratic, free and fair; is disappointed at the reports of voter intimidation and disqualification of opposition candidates highlighted by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; is appalled at the brutal suppression of those who demonstrate against perceived corruption, including the jailing of two bloggers who mocked the government and the alleged harassment by police of citizens who voted for an Armenian song in the Eurovision Song Contest; and regrets the gullibility of those who place their trust in this oppressive government.'.","date":"2011-10-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43304","proposer":"10128","edm":"2225","session":"2010-12","title":"Israel's Treatment Of Palestinian Prisoners","text":"That this House condemns the imprisonment of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Hamas, but is appalled by the cruel and inhumane treatment suffered by the 7,000 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons, involving denial of medicines and basic healthcare, denial of education and reading materials, refusal of family visits, excessive fines, repeated night searches of cells and the long-term isolation of elected members of the Palestinian legislative council; believes that Israel's practice of holding Palestinians for unspecified periods of time without charge, including children, journalists and 21 Palestinian MPs is unacceptable; further believes that all this amounts to the collective punishment of Palestinian prisoners for the imprisonment of soldier Shalit; and calls on the Government to increase pressure on Israel to end its immoral and uncivilised treatment of prisoners.","date":"2011-10-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43284","proposer":"10884","edm":"2204","session":"2010-12","title":"Azerbaijani Independence Twentieth Anniversary","text":"That this House congratulates Azerbaijan on the 20th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on 18 October 1991; notes that in this time it has joined the Council of Europe and formed close links with the EU; recognises the vital assistance which it has provided to NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan; further recognises that it provides a valuable alternative source of oil and gas for the European market; applauds the fact that despite being a predominantly Muslim country it has thriving Christian and Jewish communities; further notes that it now has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and that the UK is the principal source of foreign direct investment; and wishes the country well on its path towards becoming a fully-fledged member of the community of European democratic states.","date":"2011-10-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43267","proposer":"11420","edm":"2189","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights Abuses In Jammu And Kashmir","text":"That this House notes with concern the reports of human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir; believes that a key element in working towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue is the cessation of human rights abuses; and calls on the Government to use its influence with the United Nations to encourage an internationalinvestigation into the human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43268","proposer":"10260","edm":"2190","session":"2010-12","title":"Women And The Kenyan Constitution","text":"That this House welcomes the provision in Kenya's new constitution for one third of members of the Kenyan parliament to be women; expresses support for the Kenyan women fighting to ensure this provision is implemented and congratulates them on their work to ensure the inclusion of chapter four which guarantees equality of opportunity for men and women; underlines that only 10 per cent. of MPs in Kenya are women and, ahead of the 2012 elections, further underlines the opportunity this constitutional provision represents; calls on the UK Government to back the demands of the women in Kenya and help them achieve greater political representation; pays tribute to the vital work of UN Women in Kenya; is concerned that women and girls face particular problems including illiteracy, death in childbirth, discriminationand female genital mutilation, which is why it is important to ensure women have greater representation in parliament; and calls on the UK Government to ensure that UK aid contributes to women's empowerment.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43273","proposer":"10521","edm":"2195","session":"2010-12","title":"Bedouins And The Government Of Israel","text":"That this House is appalled at proposals by the Israeli government to re-settle Bedouin people living in so-called unrecognised villages in the Negev Desert into larger recognised settlements; notes that this will affect tens of thousands of Bedouin, and is a policy more in keeping with historic American Indian reservations and South Africa in the apartheid era than what should happen in the 21st century; condemns the Israeli government for what is tantamount to ethnic cleansing and the destruction of the Bedouin way of life; and calls on the Government to seek the urgent support of other European Union countries for a concerted approach, also involving the United Nations, to stop Israel proceeding with its attack on Bedouin people under its control.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43276","proposer":"11323","edm":"2198","session":"2010-12","title":"Public Sector Pension Changes","text":"That this House notes that public sector pension funds have already been re-negotiated to ensure financial sustainability; further notes that the new changes proposed are primarily to reduce spending from the public purse and will lead to a decrease in pension payments to individuals; further notes that the proposed changes will force many public sector workers out of their pension schemes due to the additional payments making public sector pension funds unsustainable in the medium term; and calls on the Government to reconsider its proposals, agree a pension solution that encourages membership to ensure a sustainable public sector pension system and avoids forcing hard-pressed public sector employees into industrial action.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43280","proposer":"24784","edm":"2173A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iraqi Kurdistan","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `notes reports of incidents in which journalists have been intimidated and some murdered and urges the authorities in Kurdistan to expedite prosecutions against perpetrators; further notes the recent fifth report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region which finds that the Region's free media and transparency are underdeveloped, few journalists are trained and fair reporting is not culturally or legally ingrained; supports its belief that the best can shame the worst but needs a helping hand such as that offered by independent organisations such as the Kurdistan Media Centre and the IWPR; agrees that insufficient government transparency is part of a legacy of secrecy which was sustained through living under and resistance to dictatorship, the absence of reliable information and mistrust of journalists by government officials who have been misquoted or feel they have been defamed and have become reluctant to deal with the media; recognises that a culture of freedom of information needs to be developed alongside a professional and responsible media; and wishes well to the current all-party talks which seek to further various reforms on issues which inspired demonstrations in Kurdistan which sadly resulted in the deaths of 10 demonstrators and police officers as well as hundreds of injuries, which should also mean policing reforms to better deal with violent demonstrations and uphold peaceable assembly and free expression.'.","date":"2011-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43264","proposer":"10128","edm":"2186","session":"2010-12","title":"Killing Of Mohajir People In Pakistan","text":"That this House is deeply concerned at continuing reports of the large-scale murder of Urdu-speaking Mohajir people in Karachi and Sind region in Pakistan, including shootings in broad daylight (such as five staff and engineers of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board on 22 August 2011), kidnapping from buses and burning of property; is alarmed at the apparent lack of response from the police and the Pakistan government; and calls on the UK Government to raise concerns about such alleged ethnic cleansing with the government of Pakistan at the highest level as a matter of urgency.","date":"2011-09-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43251","proposer":"10383","edm":"2173","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Iraqi Kurdistan","text":"That this House is concerned at the violations of press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan, particularly the case of Sardasht Osman, the university student and journalist, who after criticising the Kurdish government was kidnapped and murdered on 5 May 2009; notes with regret that the major demonstrations held in February to April 2011 protesting at the lack of freedom and social justice were suppressed aggressively by the Kurdistan regional government, with 10 people killed and many others injured; and calls on the UK Government to urge the Kurdistan regional government to establish an independent commission of inquiry into the murder of Sardasht Osman and to respect the right of its citizens to freedom of expression and political activity.","date":"2011-09-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43239","proposer":"11093","edm":"2161","session":"2010-12","title":"Lithuania And Holocaust Survivors","text":"That this House condemns attempts by the Lithuanian government to investigate 86 year old Kovno Ghetto Holocaust survivor Joseph Melamed for slander; welcomes attempts by Mr Melamed to bring his document listing eyewitness accounts of thousands of war-time Lithuanian Nazi collaborators to the attention of the Lithuanian prosecutor general in 1999; notes that of the nine Lithuanians executed by the Soviet government for Nazi collaboration, whom Mr Melamed is accused of slandering, one, Juazas Luks'a, in 1941 used his sword to saw off the head of Rabbi Zalman Osovsky and then put it on public display; further condemns repeated attempts of the Lithuanian government to extradite Holocaust survivors such as 90 year old Lithuanian war hero, Rachel Margolis, from their homes to face war crimes charges; and commends the Holocaust Educational Trust for continuing to do good work in educating about the real evils of the Holocaust.","date":"2011-09-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43232","proposer":"24784","edm":"2135A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Palestinian Membership Of The United Nations","text":"leave out from `House' to end and add `believes that a clear distinction must be drawn between moderate Palestinians such as those in the West Bank who are seeking a peaceful two state solution and terrorist groups in Gaza such as Hamas; notes that Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas in the Gaza strip, recently said to reporters, of Osama Bin Laden, that `We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior'; strongly welcomes the recent confirmation by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the Government will not change its position on Hamas and that the Quartet Principles will `remain the benchmark to which Hamas should move towards - that is, a rejection of violence, a recognition of the state of Israel and an acceptance of previous agreements'; and therefore believes that only those areas of Palestine which accept the Quartet Principle, and renounce terrorism, should be considered for statehood.'.","date":"2011-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43214","proposer":"10521","edm":"2139","session":"2010-12","title":"Un Report On Gaza Flotilla Attack","text":"That this House registers its condemnation of Israel following the publication on 1 September of a United Nations report which declared that the death of nine people on a Turkish vessel, following an attack by Israeli forces on a flotilla carrying supplies to Gaza, to have been unlawful in that the killings were not in self-defence but were an act of extreme brutality by heavily armed troops; and calls on the Government to work with other nations to demand that Israel ceases its acts of aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the occupied territories on the West Bank.","date":"2011-09-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43218","proposer":"24784","edm":"2143","session":"2010-12","title":"Enquiry Into Government Relations With Libya 2001 To 2010","text":"That this House notes with serious concern reports about the last administration's relations with Colonel Gaddafi's regime, which became too close, especially in the area of the security services, major business agreements, and our universities; further notes in particular that relations became too close with Saif Gaddafi; further notes that members of the security services allegedly passed on details of Libyan dissidents to Colonel Gaddafi, and despite assurances from the former Foreign Secretary, that Britain appears to have been involved in extraordinary rendition; further notes that the Labour Government supported the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on the promise of oil deals; finally notes that many UK academic institutions took millions of pounds in donations and contracts from Gaddafi's regime; and therefore calls for much stricter conditions on the kind of regimes that the UK is prepared to deal with in the future, and for an enquiry into the last administration's relations with Libya from 2001 to 2010.","date":"2011-09-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43209","proposer":"10120","edm":"2135","session":"2010-12","title":"Palestinian Membership Of The United Nations","text":"That this House recalls the target set by President Obama last year of welcoming `a new member of the United Nations - an independent sovereign state of Palestine' by September 2011, a target also endorsed by the EU and the Quartet; notes that the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations and EU have all reported that Palestine is ready for statehood; recalls that Palestinian negotiators entered talks with Israel and offered substantial concessions; regrets that talks broke down because of Prime Minister Netanyahu's refusal to extend even a partial freeze on illegal settlement-building; further notes that Palestinians have recognised Israel since 1993 despite Israel's refusal to recognise a Palestinian state; further notes that 122 countries with nearly 90 per cent. of the world's population now recognised Palestine and even among Israelis 48 per cent. support recognition and only 41 per cent. oppose; and concludes that the way forward is to recognise an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and support its admission to the UN because this will be the most effective guarantor of a resumption of negotiations and will also be the best protector of the rights not only of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, but also of Palestinians living in Israel and of Palestinian refugees abroad.","date":"2011-09-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43150","proposer":"24857","edm":"2079","session":"2010-12","title":"Humanitarian Situation In North Korea","text":"That this House notes the continuing reports of violations of human rights in North Korea, including public executions, infanticide, severe and systematic torture, slave labour, dire living conditions and below subsistence-level food rations in the prison camps, religious persecution, sexual violence and extreme punishments inflicted on North Koreans forcibly repatriated from China; further notes that an estimated 200,000 people are incarcerated within a system of camps known as North Korea's gulags; recalls that the families of prisoners are often punished for guilt by association; further notes the reports of former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mr Vitit Muntarbhorn, who has described the egregious and endemic human rights situation in the country as dire and desperate; welcomes the former Special Rapporteur's recommendation that the international community should `mobilise the totality of the United Nations to promote and protect human rights in the country [and] support processes which concretise responsibility and accountability for human rights violations, and an end to impunity'; further notes the call made by the European Parliament for the establishment of a United Nations Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity; urges the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to abolish its system of prison camps; and calls on the Government to seek the establishment by the United Nations of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate whether these human rights violations amount to crimes against humanity and to recommend further action to bring an end to the suffering in North Korea.","date":"2011-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43156","proposer":"10614","edm":"2085","session":"2010-12","title":"Situation In Yemen","text":"That this House is gravely worried about the current situation in Yemen, a country where seven million people struggle to find enough to eat each day; notes that outbreaks of fighting in areas of South Yemen have resulted in the displacement of up to 40,000 people around Zinjibar and that 32,000 people have been displaced in North Yemem; further notes that the last meeting of the Friends of Yemen (FoY)was in 2010; is saddened that the US has had to suspend its aid operations in Yemen due to the current turmoil; welcomes the Department for International Development's announcement of a further 7.9 million in aid to the country; and urges the Government to call for a meeting of the FoY group as soon as possible.","date":"2011-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43126","proposer":"10260","edm":"2055","session":"2010-12","title":"South Sudan's Independence","text":"That this House congratulates the people of South Sudan on their independence; recognises this is a great moment of optimism and hope for South Sudan; acknowledges the huge challenges that lie ahead including the highest rate of maternal deaths in the world, non-existent infrastructure, an illiteracy rate of 92 per cent. among women and one in seven children dying before the age of five; calls on the Governmentto workwith other donors to set out a programme of long-term support for South Sudan and to work effectively together to help build the capacity of the South Sudanese government to meet the needs of its people, to provide significant support to the health system in South Sudan and to increase access to justice; and further calls on the Government and the international community to help resolve pressing issues between North and South Sudan, including citizenship rights, finance and above all the sharing of oil, including prioritising a lasting solution to the dispute over Abyei and South Kordofan.","date":"2011-07-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43053","proposer":"11923","edm":"1984","session":"2010-12","title":"Southern Kordofan","text":"That this House notes that on 9 July 2011 the country of Sudan is due to split formallyin two following an overwhelming `Yes' vote in the South Sudan independence referendum, which took place between 9 January and 15 January 2011; further notes that a humanitarian emergency is unfolding in the northern Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan as tension between the ruling National Congress Party and the southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement has led to forces from the North and South launching attacks with artillery and military aircraft on villages and other civilian areas; condemns fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and elements of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) which broke out across the state on 5 June 2011 and has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes and has caused many civilian deaths; expresses concern over reports of opposition members and local officials being singled out for attack and of reports from the UN Human Rights Watch that journalists are being refused access to the area, together with international relief agencies, resulting in a worrying lack of information about the conflict, and that several Al Jazeera journalists were severely beaten near Kadugli when attempting to make their way to report from South Kordofan; and calls on the Government to maintain its engagement in the negotiations in Addis Ababa to resolve the conflict between elements of the Sudanese armed forces and the SPLA and to urge the Sudanese government immediately to put a stop to attacks on populated civilian areas as South Sudan moves on towards independence.","date":"2011-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43059","proposer":"11589","edm":"1990","session":"2010-12","title":"Kader Asmal","text":"That this House mourns the passing of Kader Asmal, who was inspirational in the Anti-Apartheid Movement in these islands and who served with distinction as a Cabinet Minister in the democratic South Africa he worked to achieve; recalls that he founded the Anti-Apartheid Movement in London before moving to teach at Trinity College, Dublin where he also led the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement for many years and made a strong ongoing contribution to the African National Congress; recognises his tireless activism for civil liberties in these islands, his articulate advocacy of human rights internationally, the integrity of his struggle against Apartheid and his proud role in embedding democratic principles and a human rights ethic in post-Apartheid South Africa; acknowledges his personal role in ensuring, during the 1990s, that all parties in Northern Ireland were able to share insights from the process of negotiation and transition in South Africa; celebrates his exemplary espousal of democratic values, his animated oratory, academic erudition and challenging brand of intellectual honesty; and salutes his significant achievements as the Minister for Water Affairs and Forestry in the Government of National Unity and as Minister for Education in the first ANC government.","date":"2011-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"43018","proposer":"11707","edm":"1949","session":"2010-12","title":"Syrian Protests","text":"That this House notes with concern the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Syria; is particularly concerned at the brutal crackdown by Bashar al-Assad's regime on innocent Syrians; expresses its concern at the 1,100 deaths and countless arrests by Syrian security forces, including family and friends of the British-Syrian community; further notes the impending refugee crisis in Turkey and Lebanon; calls for the Government to lead an international effort in providing aid, financial or otherwise, for these refugees; calls onthe Assad regime to respect the human rights and legitimate demands of the Syrian people; and further calls on UN Security Council members to work together in urgently passing a substantive resolution condemning the Assad regime and supporting the Syrian people.","date":"2011-06-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42909","proposer":"24848","edm":"1843","session":"2010-12","title":"President Obama's State Visit 2011","text":"That this House happily extends a hand of friendship to President Obama and the American people on his first state visit to the UK; wishes to take this opportunity to warmly acknowledge his exceptional, steadfast and morally-fuelled determination in achieving healthcare reform in the US, which supports the needs of the American people by limiting competition, providing greater access to services and promoting greater quality of care; believes that President Obama's valiant move to give the state a greater role in the provision of healthcare is the single biggest domestic change his country has seen and that it will significantly change Americans' lives for the better; acknowledges his wisdom in asserting that an unconstrained free market in healthcare benefits few but profit-seeking companies; and hopes that he will enjoy his stay in the UK, a country which values the continued strong, cultural, historical and economic links with the US.","date":"2011-05-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42915","proposer":"10133","edm":"1849","session":"2010-12","title":"Detention Of Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei","text":"That this House is deeply concerned by recent reports of the detention of Ai Weiwei; notes with serious concern the detention of lawyers, artists, writers and government critics who are missingand possibly detained by the Chinese authorities in recent months; and calls on the Government to lead the international community in redoubling its efforts to ensure that China ends its human rights abuses.","date":"2011-05-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42888","proposer":"10057","edm":"1822","session":"2010-12","title":"John Adams Society And Us Visitor Programme","text":"That this House notes the value over many decades of US Department of State exchange programmes which have taken thousands of individuals from around the world to the US to meet a wide variety of official and non-governmental organisations as well as ordinary people to discuss a wide range of foreign policy issues; believes that this has done much to allow people, who often go on to take leading roles in their society, to learn from America and for America to engage with and learn from their guests; further notes that alumni and alumnae of these programmes in the UK include several former prime ministers and trade union, business and civic leaders; and warmly welcomes the formation of the John Adams Society which brings together individuals who have participated in US Department of State exchange programmes through the US Embassy in London, an association that works to foster mutual understanding amongst the British and American governments and their citizens, whilst strengthening the network of individuals.","date":"2011-05-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42815","proposer":"24784","edm":"1758","session":"2010-12","title":"Civilian Deaths In Syria","text":"That this House deeply regrets the recent deaths of 400 Syrian people, the vast majority of whom were civilians killed by their government; notes that, according to one eye-witness, snipers working for the Syrian regime have killed at least six more protestors in Daraa in recent days, including a six-year-old girl; further notes that live fire and tear gas has been used indiscriminately by state soldiers against men, women, children and pensioners; further notes that at least 12 civilians were murdered by the Syrian government while attending a funeral in recent weeks; concludes that President Assad is not committed to reform, irrespective of public announcements that he has made; condemns President Assad for using Syrian state forces to murder and torture his own people; supports United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statement that the first priority of Syria should be protecting civilian lives; and calls strongly on the UK Government to work with NATO and the United Nations to impose much greater economic sanctions on Syria, including an asset freeze, and to draw up urgent plans for a military intervention if the violence continues.","date":"2011-04-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42645","proposer":"11324","edm":"1597","session":"2010-12","title":"Good Governance In Democratic Republic Of Congo","text":"That this House recognises the 10th anniversary of the first UN report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth in Democratic Republic of Congo; notes the continuing militarisation of, and illegal control over, tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold mines by local armed groups as well as criminal elements in the Congolese army to fund their criminal activities; expresses its solidarity with the people of Congo, who have, for over 13 years, endured the evils of violence, war crimes, human rights violations, humanitarian crises, looting and rape; calls on the Rwandan government to ensure that its territory is not usedasa trading or transit ground for conflict minerals from Congo; and calls on the Government to encourage all British-based or -owned companies trading in minerals to observe diligence standards set out by the UN and OECD, push for EU legally binding legislation on corporate transparency in the extractive industries to empower people in developing countries that are consistently resource-rich but cash-poor with the information to challenge corruption in their own country and to consider imposing a travel ban and asset freeze on those named and shamed in UN Panel of Experts and Group Experts reports in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions nos. 1952, 1807, 1896 and 1771, and to do everyting possible to restore good governance to the Congo.","date":"2011-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42611","proposer":"10133","edm":"1565","session":"2010-12","title":"Libya, North Africa And The Middle East","text":"That this House does not believe that Western intervention in Libya or elsewhere will bring about the peace, justice and democracy that is being sought by millions of people in North Africa and the Middle East; and calls for a rethinking of British and European foreign policy and a more concerted effort to apply international law and its human rights clauses in any negotiations or actions relating to the historical process that is now taking place.","date":"2011-03-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42590","proposer":"10614","edm":"1539","session":"2010-12","title":"Aid To Yemen","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for International Development, that the Government will increase aid to Yemen from 46.7 million to 76 million a year until 2015; notes that Yemen is the poorest nation in the Middle East; further notes that the Yemeni government is combating the growth of al-Qaeda within the country at a time of mass unrest in the Arab world; calls on the Government to continue to develop bilateral relations with Yemen to strengthen its fragile state; and urges the Government to work with the Yemeni government to develop an action plan for improving the economic situation in Yemen and combating terrorism.","date":"2011-03-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42494","proposer":"10133","edm":"1463","session":"2010-12","title":"Eu-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement","text":"That this House notes with concern the fishery agreement between Morocco and the EU which includes the waters off the Western Sahara which is occupied by Morocco; is aware that this agreement is due for renewal; and, in view of the continued denial of self determination of the peoples of the Western Sahara, calls on the Government to vote against the renewal of the EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement at the forthcoming EU meeting.","date":"2011-02-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42429","proposer":"10614","edm":"1404","session":"2010-12","title":"Visit Of Yemeni Foreign Minister","text":"That this House welcomes the visit of the Yemeni Foreign Minister, Dr Abu-Bakr Al-Qirbi to the UK and to Parliamentin the week of31 January 2011; congratulatesthe Government on inviting him to the UK to review Yemen's situation prior to the Friends of Yemen meeting in March; notes that Yemen is the poorest nation in the Middle East; further notes that the Yemeni Government is combating the growth of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula within the country; calls on the Government to continue to develop bilateral relations with Yemen; and urges the Government to work with the Yemeni Government to develop an action plan for combating terrorism and improving the economic situation in Yemen.","date":"2011-02-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42403","proposer":"10133","edm":"1378","session":"2010-12","title":"Jean Bertrand Aristide","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement by the government of Haiti that former President Aristide will be issued with a passport and thus able to return from exile in South Africa; deplores the manner in which he was removed from Haiti; and hopes his return will help lead to social justice and democracy for the people.","date":"2011-01-31","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42359","proposer":"10231","edm":"1340","session":"2010-12","title":"Kashmir Solidarity Day","text":"That this House records that 5 February has been designated as a day of solidarity amongst Kashmiri communities in the UK and around the world; expresses regret at the continued loss of life among all parties to this long running dispute which continues to this day; believes that the recent action of the Hindu National Party and others in marching to the border of Indian-occupied Kashmir was unnecessarily provocative; calls on the Government to take all steps possible to promote meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan; and reaffirms the right of the people of Kashmir to determine their own future.","date":"2011-01-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42325","proposer":"10614","edm":"1306","session":"2010-12","title":"Support For Yemen","text":"That this House recognises that a stable and prosperous Yemen will help ensure a stable Middle East and that there is a continued need to combat terrorism through preventative measures both at home and abroad; congratulates this and the previous Government on the 105 million worth of development aid pledged between 2008 and 2011; welcomes the Prime Minister's recent message to the hon. Member for Leicester East recognising the importance of pooling expertise and considering parliamentary and business avenues for providing further support; supports the sending of airport security equipment to Sana'a Airport by March 2011; and calls on the Government to promote partnership working through setting up a British-Yemeni taskforce.","date":"2011-01-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42046","proposer":"10436","edm":"1056","session":"2010-12","title":"Anniversary Of Journalists' Deaths In The Philippines","text":"That this House notes the anniversary on 23 November 2010 of the world's single biggest mass killing of journalists; further notes that this occurred in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao in the Southern Philippines when 58 people were killed, including 32 journalists and media workers; further notes that to date nobody has been brought to justice for the massacre; supports the campaign by the National Union of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists for justice for the victims and the Global Day of Action on 23 November 2010; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Philippine government to ensure that justice is done.","date":"2010-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"42039","proposer":"11221","edm":"984A1","session":"2010-12","title":"Visit Of The President Of Turkey","text":"at end add `; provided that Turkey ceases its illegal occupation of Cyprus.'.","date":"2010-11-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41978","proposer":"24852","edm":"989","session":"2010-12","title":"Elections In Burma And Advance Voting","text":"That this House notes with concern reports of widespread manipulation of advance votes during the recent Burmese elections, boycotted by the National League for Democracy; believes that this is yet another blow to the prospects for democracy in Burma; dismisses this election as no more than a sham to reinforce the ruling regime's power; and urges the Government to make further representations for the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,200 other prisoners of conscience currently detained in Burma.","date":"2010-11-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41973","proposer":"10256","edm":"984","session":"2010-12","title":"Visit Of The President Of Turkey","text":"That this House welcomes the visit to the UK of Abdullah Gl, President of Turkey; hopes that negotiations for Turkey's early entry into the European Union will continue; urges the British Government further to encourage the EU to move forward Turkey's accession; and hopes that warm relations between the UK and Turkey continue to flourish.","date":"2010-11-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41888","proposer":"10231","edm":"905","session":"2010-12","title":"Anniversary Of Occupation Of Kashmir","text":"That this House records that 27 October 2010 marks the 63rd anniversary of the Indian occupation of large areas of the state of Jammu and Kashmir; notes and applauds the improvement in confidence building measures which had led, until recently, to a welcome improvement in relations between India and Pakistan; regrets, however, that recent demonstrations have led to a totally unacceptable number of deaths, particularly amongst young protesters; and believes that ultimately such demonstrations will only cease with the prospect of meaningful change, an end to repression and the right of the people of Kashmir to determine their own future.","date":"2010-10-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41839","proposer":"11221","edm":"858","session":"2010-12","title":"Morphou Cyprus Annual Rally","text":"That this House warmly congratulates the Mayor of Morphou and the members of the Morphou municipality on again holding their annual rally to remind the United Nations, the European Union and the major countries of the world of the ongoing injustice Morphou and its citizens still suffer from the Turkish military invasion and occupation of large areas of the Republic of Cyprus since July 1974; notes with deep concern the appalling conditions of cemeteries in Morphou, one of which has been concreted over and is now used as a car park, and another where all the grave headstones have been broken and abandoned, with motor vehicles dumped in the cemetery; and calls on the Government to bring these matters to the attention of the Turkish Cypriot administration and the Government of Turkey, and to request that they show proper respect for cemeteries not only in the Morphou area, but throughout the whole occupied area of Northern Cyprus.","date":"2010-10-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41819","proposer":"10258","edm":"840","session":"2010-12","title":"Political Situation In Uganda","text":"That this House welcomes the unanimous decision by the Ugandan Constitutional Court that the November 2006 court siege by armed commandos during the trial of the main opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and the alleged People's Redemption Army rebels, violated their basic rights and contravened the provision of the constitution; notes the court ruling that no further charges may be brought against Dr Besigye in any court, civilian or military, in relation to his alleged rebel activities; congratulates Dr Besigye on his election as the joint opposition presidential candidate in theMarch 2011 election; regrets the decision of some Ugandan political parties not to join the inter-party co-operation; recalls the appalling violence that marred the December 2007 election in neighbouring Kenya; and calls on the Government to work with its allies in the European Union and the Commonwealth to persuade Uganda's authorities to constitute a non-partisan electoral commission in order to ensure afree, fair and peaceful election.","date":"2010-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41830","proposer":"10372","edm":"851","session":"2010-12","title":"Cyprus Crossing","text":"That this House welcomes the opening of the crossing in north west Cyprus, between Kato Pyrgos\/Asagi Pirgo and Limnitis\/Yesilirmak, promised in May 2008 between the leaders of the Cypriot communities, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat; supports the pledges of the current Cypriot leaders, Demetris Christofias and Dervish Eroglu to continue the work for a comprehensive settlement for a united federal Cyprus, building on this new impetus for cooperation provided by Cypriot organisations and individuals in the region; looks forward to further crossings at Pyla and Lefka; and joins the UN Representative Alexander Downer in congratulating the Cypriot leaders and their communities at an outcome which, in one test of whether it was possible to reunite Cyprus, has proved the pessimists wrong and has shown the importance of the determination of Cypriots to achieve the project of bringing the island together.","date":"2010-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41753","proposer":"24852","edm":"787","session":"2010-12","title":"Aung San Suu Kyi And Elections In Burma","text":"That this House acknowledges reports that Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi may be released on the completion of her current term of arrest on 13 November 2010; is concerned that, as this date falls six days after scheduled elections in Burma on 7 November, Ms Suu Kyi may not be permitted to utilise her vote; is further concerned that her National League for Democracy party will play no part in the election, having boycotted it on the grounds of Ms Suu Kyi's and others' continued political imprisonment, her exclusion from political office and party membership and the Burmese junta's new election laws, which ban groups including civil servants and Buddhist monks from joining a political party; firmly believes that Aung San Suu Kyi should be released unconditionally as a matter of urgency; and calls on the Government to condemn strongly the Burmese junta's recent election laws as obstacles to the free and fair conduct on democracy.","date":"2010-10-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41712","proposer":"10298","edm":"752","session":"2010-12","title":"Peace, Justice, Reconciliation And Rights In Sri Lanka","text":"That this House notes with concern the tens of thousands of Tamils still interned in camps since the end of the Sri Lankan civil war in May 2009; further notes that thousands of people, including children, are suspected of being held in secret detention without charge or access to the outside world and are therefore at increased risk of torture and extrajudicial execution; strongly condemns the restrictions and attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, the draconian emergency regulations still in place, and thelack of progress towards an inclusive political solution; urges the Government to express its concerns and to do all it can to promote a lasting peace in Sri Lanka based on justice and reconciliation; calls on the UN Secretary-General to remain firm and give full support to his panel of experts; and further calls for a full and independent inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by all parties during and since the end of hostilities.","date":"2010-09-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41510","proposer":"11323","edm":"553","session":"2010-12","title":"145th Anniversary Of The Welsh Arrival In Patagonia","text":"That this House notes that 28 July 2010 will be the 145th anniversary of the arrival of Welsh immigrants in Patagonia aboard the Mimosa; further notes the success of the Welsh colony as part of the foundation of the modern-day Chubut Province; welcomes the Women's Choir of Gaiman, Cor Merched Gaiman, to Wales and congratulates them on their successful tour; appreciates the funding by the National Assembly for Wales and the British Council which supports Welsh teachers and lessons in the Chubut Province; congratulates the members of the Welsh-Argentina Foundation, Cymdeithas Cymru-Ariannin, for their 70 years of support for links between Wales and Patagonia; believes that the continued links between Wales and the Chubut are of great cultural importance to residents of both locations; and calls on the Chubut Provincial Government to reject plans to end the traditional provincial holiday to celebrate Landing Day, Gwyl y Glaniad, in the Chubut Province.","date":"2010-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41481","proposer":"24881","edm":"528","session":"2010-12","title":"Kashmir","text":"That this House notes that 13 July is Kashmir Martyrs' Day, commemorating the murder of 22 people in 1931 and the start of the freedom struggle; further notes with concern that since this date more than half a million people have been killed by the occupying forces, numerous women gang raped and in the last two weeks a further 15 young men have been murdered; condemns this violence and agrees with United Nations resolutions that the Kashmiri people should be given the right to self-determination; and calls on the Government to do all within its powers to bring an end to the violence andto encourage self-determination and so ensure the people of Azad and Jammu Kashmir can live in peace and harmony.","date":"2010-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41461","proposer":"10133","edm":"508","session":"2010-12","title":"Haneen Zoubi Mk","text":"That this House is concerned that Israeli Knesset member Haneen Zoubi has had a number of her parliamentary privileges withdrawn because she participated in the Freedom Flotilla which attempted to take aid to Gaza in May 2010; believes that the siege of Gaza is wrong; and applauds Haneen Zoubi for her courage in exposing this.","date":"2010-07-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41294","proposer":"10685","edm":"354","session":"2010-12","title":"Congo","text":"That this House recognises the 50th anniversary of Congolese independence on 30 June 2010; welcomes the progress made by the Congolese government since the end of the country's civil war in 2003; notes in particular the successful passage of the country's first democratic elections held in 2006; welcomes the cordial relationship that the UK Government enjoys with its Congolese counterparts in Kinshasa; notes the 2009 rapprochement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda as a positive step towards finding a non-military and regional approach to the conflict in eastern DRC; calls on the Government to maintain and strengthen its engagement in the DRC; urges the Government to give further support to measures that will better protect Congolese civilians from violence, especially considering that conflict in eastern DRC has been ongoing for almost 15 years and is estimated to have cost over 5.4 million Congolese lives; abhors the sexual violence and other consequences of conflict which particularly affect Congo's women and children; further calls on the Government to support efforts to better address these problems; supports the use of non-military and regional solutions to the ongoing conflict; recognises that more accountable government across the region is central to stabilising the area; further calls on the Government to promote these measures; further calls on the UK to take a leading role in preventing natural resources from fuelling the conflict in eastern Congo; and encourages responsible UK companies to engage with the DRC in this respect.","date":"2010-06-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41231","proposer":"11427","edm":"297","session":"2010-12","title":"World Trade Union Rights","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the International Trade Union Confederation's (ITUC)annual survey of trade union rights, which documents a dramatic increase in the number of trade unionists murdered last year; notes that there were 101 killings, an increase of 30 per cent. over the previous year; further notes that this invaluable report records an extensive list of violations suffered by trade unionists struggling to defend workers' interests in 140 countries; and concurs with ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder that the survey shows that the majority of the world's workers still lack effective protection of their rights to organise trade unions and bargain collectively, which is a major factor in the long-term increase in economic inequality within and between countries, and that inadequate incomes for much of the world's workforce helped cause the global economic crisis, and are making it much harder to put the economy on a path of sustainable growth.","date":"2010-06-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41185","proposer":"10057","edm":"262","session":"2010-12","title":"Organization For Security And Co-Operation Parliamentary Assembly","text":"That this House recognises the service of Mr R. Spencer Oliver who, after 22 years as a staff member of the US Congress, was chosen as the only Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 1992 by the first Bureau meeting; believes that after 18 years in post he merits a communal thank you and retirement party; and invites Mr Speaker to suggest to the Speakers of the other Parliaments and National Assemblies that a joint declaration of thanks should be presented to him.","date":"2010-06-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41127","proposer":"10009","edm":"204","session":"2010-12","title":"Cyprus Talks","text":"That this House calls on the Government to express full and clear support for the continuation of discussions between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Demetris Christofias, and the newly-elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr Dervis Eroglu, from the point which was reached in his previous series of discussions with Mr Eroglu's predecessor, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat.","date":"2010-06-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41128","proposer":"10428","edm":"205","session":"2010-12","title":"Reconstruction And Regeneration Of Famagusta-Varosha","text":"That this House recalls the continuous interest of hon. Members on all sides of the House in successive Parliaments in the neglect and dereliction of Varosha, the sealed-off section of Famagusta; is confident that this interest will be continued in the present Parliament; notes the recent interest of the European Parliament in this situation as expressed in its resolution following the visit to the area of the Petitions Committee in which, inter alia, it expresses the view that with the return of Varosha to its original and lawful inhabitants it could become a laboratory development and a symbol of the future of Cyprus; concurs with this judgment; believes also that the project of reconstructing and regenerating Varosha could deliver an unparalleled stimulus to the economy in the north and in the south of Cyprus; further believes that this action would provide a major confidence-building measure for which there is an overwhelming need and which would underpin the future of a reunited Cyprus; and calls on the Government fully and urgently to support and promote such an initiative.","date":"2010-06-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41104","proposer":"10256","edm":"181","session":"2010-12","title":"Dalai Lama's 75th Birthday And Future Of Tibet","text":"That this House congratulates the Dalai Lama on celebrating his 75th birthday on 6 July 2010; recognises the Dalai Lama's unstinting commitment to non-violence, his pragmatism in seeking a Middle Way approach in order to reach a peaceful and practical solution for the future of Tibet and its people, and his work in inter-faith areas; acknowledges the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 1989, his US Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 and the many other awards and honours presented for his wide-ranging work in advocating peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion; and calls on the new coalition Government to show its support for the Dalai Lama and his principles by making a public statement on his birthday acknowledging his achievements and affirming its support of his efforts to find justice for the Tibetan people through substantive and meaningful dialogue with the Chinese government.","date":"2010-06-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41028","proposer":"10190","edm":"112","session":"2010-12","title":"Human Rights In Burma","text":"That this House sends its best wishes to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who will spend her 65th birthday in detention on 19 June 2010; calls for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma; rejects the elections planned by Burma's generals later this year which, due to election laws and ongoing repression in Burma, cannot be free and fair; condemns Burma's new constitution which is designed to maintain dictatorship in civilian guise and does not grant rights or protection to Burma's ethnic minorities; notes that all diplomatic efforts to reform the dictatorship's sham roadmap to democracy have failed; recalls that the United Nations Security Council, General Assembly, Secretary General and Human Rights Council have all stated that the solution to the problems in Burma lies in dialogue between the dictatorship, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, and ethnic representatives; and calls on the Government to support a United Nations-led effort to pressure the dictatorship to enter into such dialogue.","date":"2010-05-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"41036","proposer":"10327","edm":"120","session":"2010-12","title":"Conduct Of Indian High Commissioner","text":"That this House advocates and supports a warm and close relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of India; notes the two countries' historical ties; further notes that India is the world's largest democracy; recognises that such a relationship can help resolve the vexing issue of Jammu and Kashmir; believes that the Indian High Commission in London has a vital role to play in fostering this friendship; regrets that the conduct of the Indian High Commissioner, Nalin Surie, is causing serious damage to that friendship; condemns the failure of the Indian High Commissioner to respond to letters from the right hon. Member from Manchester, Gorton stretching back to January 2010, in which the right hon. Member has requested that the visa application of one of his constituents initially made many months ago and for which the constituent has paid \u00a3113.86 has still not been granted; is concerned that the efforts of a right hon. Member of this House to help have been rudely ignored; further believes that Nalin Surie is not fit to hold such an important and influential post; and calls for his removal to India by the Indian government and his replacement by a diplomat who will commit himself or herself to fostering good relations between the two countries.","date":"2010-05-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40817","proposer":"10133","edm":"1149A1","session":"2009-10","title":"First Eu-Morocco Summit 7 March 2010","text":"at end add `but believes that before any progress is made the occupation of the Western Sahara should end, the Saharwi people should be allowed to determine their own future, and Morocco and the EU should cease exploiting Western Saharan fish and minerals.'.","date":"2010-03-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40791","proposer":"11817","edm":"1149","session":"2009-10","title":"First Eu-Morocco Summit 7 March 2010","text":"That this House welcomes the holding of the first EU-Morocco Summit on 7 March 2010, in Granada, under the Spanish Presidency as being the first summit of its kind with an Arab country; recognises the degree of maturity and trust attained by the political dialogue between the parties; acknowledges the importance of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Morocco particularly the need for Morocco to achieve optimum proximity to the EU; further welcomes the parties' commitment to begin a thorough process of reflection on the nature and form of a new contractual relationship beyond the Advanced Status granted to Morocco in October 2008; takes note of the need to accelerate integration in the Maghreb region through a responsible and constructive dialogue between members of the Maghreb Arab Union; and further acknowledges that the co-operation between the EU, Morocco and other countries of the Sahel-Saharan region must be further developed in order to efficiently tackle security threats in this region.","date":"2010-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40744","proposer":"11245","edm":"1109","session":"2009-10","title":"Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation","text":"That this House believes that reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia will be best achieved through a peaceful discussion process; further believes that for both nations to advance democratically, difficult issues will need to be addressed; and calls on the Government and Her Majesty's Opposition to encourage talks and negotiations for the future of both countries, their citizens and their international relations.","date":"2010-03-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40721","proposer":"11323","edm":"1086","session":"2009-10","title":"Public Holidays In Chubut Province","text":"That this House welcomes the efforts of the Chubut Provincial government in Argentina to increase the number of school days in the year, but calls on it to reject plans to scrap provincial holidays on 28 July and 30 April, which celebrate two of the most important events in the development of the modern day Chubut Province, the landing of the first Welsh immigrants in Patagonia on 28 July 1865 and the referendum held on 30 April 1902 in which the predominantly Welsh residents of Cwm Hyfryd decided that the Cordillera de los Andes would remain part of Argentina rather than be transferred to Chile; notes that while both dates are occasions which are of specific importance to the Welsh community in the Chubut Province, they are also important commemorative occasions for Chubut's population as a whole and should remain as provincial holidays; believes that the continued links between Wales and the Chubut are of great cultural importance to residents of both locations; and hopes that the recent actions of the UK Border Agency in preventing Welsh learners from the Chubut from entering the UK has not damaged relationships in any way between Wales and the Chubut.","date":"2010-03-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40636","proposer":"10295","edm":"1010","session":"2009-10","title":"Commonwealth Day, 8 March 2010","text":"That this House proudly joins in celebrating Commonwealth Day 2010; acknowledges the continued successes to emerge out of the network of 54 Commonwealth countries and its two billion citizens of all faiths and ethnicities; particularly notes this year's theme of Science, Technology and Society in recognition of ongoing research across the partnerships that continue to enhance knowledge, understanding and progress in the world; looks forward to working together with all Commonwealth countries in a spirit of co-operation, partnership and understanding towards shared goals in democracy and development; and wishes that the Commonwealth network may long continue.","date":"2010-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40640","proposer":"10190","edm":"1014","session":"2009-10","title":"Us Administration And The Falkland Islands","text":"That this House deprecates the US administration for its lack of support for the position of the Government regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands; notes Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments in her address to L'Ecole Militaire in Paris in January, in which she referred to the `cornerstone of security' as being `the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states'; believes that mediation is unnecessary as long as Falkland Islanders wish to remain British; and calls on Secretary of State Clinton and the US administration to dismiss the option of mediation and to respect the right of the people of the Falkland Islands to assert their sovereignty.","date":"2010-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40643","proposer":"10021","edm":"1017","session":"2009-10","title":"Commonwealth Day 2010 And The 59th Annual Cpa Westminster Seminar","text":"That this House commends the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK Branch in bringing together right hon. and hon. Members, Clerks and Serjeants at Arms from across the Commonwealth and beyond to mark both Commonwealth Day and International Women's Day on 8 March 2010; celebrates the achievements of women to date and encourages the further empowerment of women in the 21st century; recognises the importance and need for debate, international parliamentary outreach, capacity building and parliamentary strengthening; and praises the CPA UK 59th Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedures on 8 to 19 March 2010 as a benchmark forum for interaction between right hon. and hon. Members and parliamentary staff, strengthening relations between parliaments and learning from each other.","date":"2010-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40645","proposer":"10123","edm":"1019","session":"2009-10","title":"Famine Aid To Ethiopia","text":"That this House notes the report by Martin Plant, Africa Editor for the BBC World Service, that aid money including that raised from the Live Aid concerts, to combat widespread famine in Ethiopia in 1984-85 was siphoned off by rebels to buy weapons; that, because the then Soviet Union supported the Ethiopian government, the United States under President Reagan issued its National Security Directive 75 which declared that `US policy will seek to limit and destabilise activities of Soviet Third World allies and clients', and that from this the BBC report concludes that `the suggestion cannot be ruled out that the CIA not only knew about, but supported, the diversion of aid fund'; and considers that, if this were the case, it was a monstrous act by the then US authorities, betraying the trust and generosity of the millions of people who supported the aid effort, and resulting in the deaths of Ethiopian famine victims who could, with the proper application of those funds, have been saved.","date":"2010-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40625","proposer":"10009","edm":"1003","session":"2009-10","title":"Falkland Islands And The Us Administration","text":"That this House notes with horror the reported remarks of the US Secretary of State, that she would like to broker a deal between Britain and the Argentine over the Falklands; and further notes that America has on occasions interfered with discussions concerning matters that are nothing whatsoever to do with them with disastrous consequences.","date":"2010-03-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40600","proposer":"10528","edm":"980","session":"2009-10","title":"Jang Group And The Times Of India Aman Ki Asha Peace Campaign","text":"That this House congratulates the Jang Group and The Times of India for launching their Aman Ki Asha campaign supporting peace between Pakistan and India; recognises a stable and peaceful relationship between the two countries is crucial to establishing peace in the wider region; welcomes the recent resumption of formal peace talks between the two nations; expresses its sincere hopes that their governments will maintain their renewed efforts for peace; and calls on the Government to continue encouraging both parties towards peace.","date":"2010-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40612","proposer":"10203","edm":"992","session":"2009-10","title":"Economy Of Afghanistan","text":"That this House is concerned by the recent report in the Washington Post that one billion dollars in bank notes is being flown out of Kabul annually en route to Dubai and other Gulf States; notes the claim that Afghan passengers took more than $180 million to Dubai during a two-month period, including one Afghan diplomat who was detected with over two million dollars worth of undeclared euros; and is concerned at the demoralising effect on NATO morale if Afghan leaders continue to move their families and fortunes out of Afghanistan in expectation of the collapse of the Karzai regime.","date":"2010-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40614","proposer":"11589","edm":"994","session":"2009-10","title":"Recent Violence In Jabel Marra, Darfur","text":"That this House condemns the gross violence currently being waged in the Jabel Marra region of Darfur, particularly the town of Deribat, displacing tens of thousands of people and killing hundreds; notes that this military offensive, reportedly including attack from the air, has come after Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir's declaration on 24 February 2010 `that the crisis in Darfur is finished. Darfur is now at peace'; recognises also that the Doha ceasefire deal on 23 February 2010 was with one rebel group only, the Justice and Equality Movement; welcomes any respite to the suffering people of Darfur which any ceasefire can provide but recognises the questions about its durability and scope; calls for the violence in Jabel Marra to end and for Unamid peacekeepers to be allowed the access to Deribat they have been trying to negotiate; supports those aid groups still in that region whose staff have been endangered and who will struggle to cope with the humanitarian hazards engendered by the current fighting; calls on the Government and international agencies to recognise the seriousness of this suffering and to marshall appropriate aid and other interventions; urges the Government and the UN to acknowledge the implications of wider violence in southern Sudan for the national elections due in April 2010, which will be a benchmark test for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan; and further calls on all relevant agencies to undertake more contingency planning around those elections.","date":"2010-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40424","proposer":"11199","edm":"824","session":"2009-10","title":"New Zealand Waitangi Day","text":"That this House is proud to join the people of New Zealand in celebrating Waitangi Day, their national day, on 6 February 2010, commemorating the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, that marks the coming together of the Maori people and representatives of the British Crown; recognises the importance of maintaining close links between the United Kingdom and New Zealand and cherishes the strong historical bond and unshakeable friendship that exists between all the peoples of the British Isles and islands of New Zealand; further recognises the shared heritage, common language, longstanding trading relationships and deeply intertwined cultural, educational and military ties that exist between these great allies and Commonwealth members who also take pride in sharing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State and Sovereign; and urges the Government of the United Kingdom to continue to foster and strengthen this special relationship that, despite the long distances in being oceans apart and on opposite corners of the Earth, continues to bind both nations together.","date":"2010-02-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40410","proposer":"11784","edm":"810","session":"2009-10","title":"Human Rights In Cameroon","text":"That this House condemns the continued abuse of political activists by the Cameroonian government, particularly of the SCNC political party; notes Cameroon's poor human rights record, and its continued abuses including denial of the rights to freedom of expression, association, press, and assembly; further notes the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's advice to avoid political demonstrations and large public gatherings in Cameroon; also notes abuses against the SCNC documented by Amnesty International, which include arbitrary arrest, unlawful detentions and inhuman or degrading treatment; acknowledges the clear risks posed to members of the SCNC by the Cameroonian government; and calls on the Government to offer help to members of the SCNC who are judged to be in danger due to these human rights abuses.","date":"2010-02-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40405","proposer":"10177","edm":"806","session":"2009-10","title":"Comprehensive Peace Agreement In Sudan","text":"That this House is concerned about the current situation in Sudan; notes that the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement put an end to one of Africa's longest running civil wars, in which over two million people lost their lives; is gravely concerned that, without adequate preparation, the upcoming national elections and referendum on southern independence could re-ignite conflict between north and south Sudan, with broader implications for regional stability; notes with horror the significant spike in violence in South Sudan in 2009, with over 2,500 killed and 350,000 displaced; also notes that, in the western region of Darfur, millions continue to suffer daily in camps; calls on the Government to seek urgent action now to protect civilians during this turbulent period in Sudan; and further calls on the Government to devote greater attention to inducing the parties, North, South, East and Darfur, to continue dialogue and find constructive solutions to the problems they face.","date":"2010-02-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40380","proposer":"10128","edm":"705A1","session":"2009-10","title":"Australia Day","text":"leave out from `nations' to end.","date":"2010-02-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40311","proposer":"11522","edm":"720","session":"2009-10","title":"Kurds In Turkey","text":"That this House deplores the decision taken on 11 December 2009 by Turkey's Constitutional Court to close down the Democratic Society Party (DTP), the only pro-Kurdish legal political party in Turkey which, in recent elections, demonstrated that it has the support of millions of Kurdish voters and with 21 elected Members of Parliament has been playing a vital constructive role in the resolution of the protracted conflict that has claimed so many lives over the last three decades; notes that this is a deeply dismaying decision the repercussions of which will be far reaching and is a considerable setback for the achievement of a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Turkey and the Kurds and equally for Turkey's ambitions to join the European Union; further notes that by outlawing the DTP and preventing its leaders such as Ahmet Turk, who was recently a guest in the Palace of Westminster and of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and other prominent figures such as Layla Zana from participating in politics for five years, the Turkish authorities are behaving totally irresponsibly; believes that in taking this course of action Turkey is reverting to an extremely regressive approach to the Kurdish question which appears to contradict the much-promoted reform process of Prime Minister Erdogan and will not bring about the peace that constructive forces in Turkey desire; and calls on the UK Government to exert pressure on Turkey to fully abide by the international conventions and democratic norms to which it is a signatory.","date":"2010-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40289","proposer":"10614","edm":"699","session":"2009-10","title":"60th Anniversary Of Indian Independence","text":"That this House joins in celebrating the joyous occasion of the 60th Republic Day of India; notes the success of the Indian government both in India and internationally; recognises the positive impact the Indian community in Britain have made and joins them in their celebrations on 26 January 2010; and calls on the Government to continue to develop and maintain its excellent relations with India and to recognise its status as one of the world's leading powers.","date":"2010-01-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40295","proposer":"11199","edm":"705","session":"2009-10","title":"Australia Day","text":"That this House is proud to join the people of Australia in celebrating 26 January, marking Australia's National Day, commemorating the anniversary of the day on which Captain Arthur Philip in 1788 unfurled the Union Flag at Sydney Cove; recognises the strong historical bonds and friendship that exist between the United Kingdom and Australia, which is reinforced by a shared language, co-operation through the armed forces, competitive sports, the arts and bilateral trade and investment; further recognises the importance of the common heritage and very special relationship that exists between the peoples of both countries; and calls on the Government to continue to work to strengthen the close political, economic and cultural ties that bind together these two great nations and Commonwealth members who share Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State and Sovereign.","date":"2010-01-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40133","proposer":"10436","edm":"554","session":"2009-10","title":"Icelandic Debt And Accountability Of Bankers","text":"That this House sympathises that the decision of the Icelandic President to refer his Government's proposals to pay the large sums owing to the British and Dutch governments for compensation paid out to their citizens saving with Icesave is sensible, fair, and democratic in the light of the fact that both Icelandic citizens, and British citizens, were not consulted by their bankers about the irresponsible risk their banks were running and the enormous debts that resulted and should have a right to say whether these debts should be foisted on the people; considers that though the British Government has paid massive compensation to its own irresponsible bankers, it is hardly reasonable to expect a more intimate and direct democracy to ask its people to shoulder bigger debts without their consent; and suggests that rather than threatening Iceland the Government should accept that mistakes were made by British regulatory authorities as well as Icelandic regulators; and therefore considers that the Government should negotiate a revised deal with Iceland and come to sensible arrangements for sharing the burden, rather than imposing the whole of it on a nation whose economic health is in the UK's interests, and which therefore should not be crushed by an unsupportable burden of debt.","date":"2010-01-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"40124","proposer":"10123","edm":"546","session":"2009-10","title":"Food Aid To Somalia","text":"That this House expresses alarm at the suspension of the UN World Food Programme to Somalia following threats and attempted extortion by al-Shabaab militia extremists; notes that this could result in up to one million people facing starvation; considers this, the never-ending conflict and the strengthening of al-Qaeda groups in Somalia, to be the diabolical consequence of the misjudged US toppling of an Islamic government, which the world could have worked with, by the sponsoring of an Ethiopian invasion in December 2006; now considers that the best way to get vitally-needed food into the country is by an urgent, massive increased commitment of African Union troops for this purpose, but that this needs to be organised and fully funded by the international community, particularly Western governments; and calls on the Government to make this a high priority.","date":"2010-01-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39935","proposer":"10657","edm":"374","session":"2009-10","title":"Museums, Galleries, Councils And Gardens","text":"That this House congratulates the management team at the Victoria and Albert Museum on the stunning new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries; notes this is a particularly golden period for the UK's major museums, galleries, councils and gardens with amongst others, the British Museum actively involved in Expo 2010 in Shanghai and also in Abu Dhabi and the British Library in Baghdad which, coupled with the British Council's own 2010 anniversary with Joseph Nye speaking in January in Parliament and the National Portrait Gallery's, Beatles to Bowie, receiving rave reviews, demonstrates yet again the power of soft diplomacy; and calls on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to come forward with further funding to enable these world-beating institutions to continue to flourish at home, and, as importantly, overseas.","date":"2009-12-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39945","proposer":"10021","edm":"384","session":"2009-10","title":"Kurdish Peace Initiatives In Turkey","text":"That this House supports the steps taken by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey and the Kurdish Movement, to initiate a just democratic solution to the issue of the rights of the Kurdish people; recognises that the Kurdish Movement includes the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan; notes the positive steps taken by Ocalan to initiate a peace process including a unilateral PKK ceasefire and sending peace groups of PKK activists and refugees to Turkey to support peace efforts; further notes the appeal to the EU by the Society for Threatened Peoples to support the peace initiative of the PKK and the legal pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party; regrets that the AKP has prevented the peace groups entering Turkey; believes that the PKK should be recognised as a party to the dialogue in order to achieve a just and peaceful solution; further believes that the continued listing of the PKK as a terrorist organisation is an impediment to the resolution of the conflict; further regrets that the Turkish opposition parties, the Republican People's Party and the Nationalist Movement Party, have opposed the initiative for peace; urges the Government to de-list the PKK to facilitate its recognition as legitimate party to the negotiations; and also urges the Government to put the utmost diplomatic pressure on Turkey to turn away from conflict and to open negotiations with the Kurdish Movement forthwith to bring stability to the region.","date":"2009-12-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39261","proposer":"10367","edm":"2032","session":"2008-09","title":"President Zelaya And The Coup In Honduras","text":"That this House welcomes the return of President Manuel Zelaya to Honduras on 21 September 2009 after being ousted in a military coup in June; notes that President Zelaya has since been taking refuge in the Brazilian Embassy and congratulates the Brazilian government for providing sanctuary to the elected Honduran President; is concerned by the response of the coup regime to President Zelaya's return, including repression, that has left a number of people dead and led to a clampdown on civil liberties that has seen hundreds arrested and the closure of independent media; welcomes the rapid condemnation of the coup regime by the UK Government and the EU; calls for the United States government to take stronger action by suspending all financial support to the coup regime; and demands the release of all those arbitrarily arrested, that laws restricting media freedoms are rescinded, and the immediate restitution of President Zelaya to office and restoration of full democracy in Honduras.","date":"2009-10-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39234","proposer":"11589","edm":"2005","session":"2008-09","title":"Senator Edward Kennedy (No. 2)","text":"That this House expresses its deep sadness at the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy on 25 August; recognises his peerless devotion to public service, both in the US and internationally, and his prolific contribution as a legislator over many decades; commends his tireless efforts in the promotion of social justice, universal healthcare and human rights; acknowledges his consistent opposition to violence and his outstanding contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process; and mourns the passing of an inspirational US senator.","date":"2009-10-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39197","proposer":"10133","edm":"1970","session":"2008-09","title":"Sanctions Against Sri Lanka","text":"That this House welcomes the work of Act Now and the British Tamil Forces in hosting a meeting in the House of Commons on 21 July 2009; notes the continual suffering of the Tamil people in camps and reports of depopulation of the east of the country; further welcomes the proposals of the meeting calling for the suspension of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth in view of the human rights violations; calls on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to refuse development aid and loans; further calls on British-based and owned banks not to engage in activity with the government of Sri Lanka; and further calls upon the Government to take all possible diplomatic action to isolate the government of Sri Lanka in view of its abuse of human rights.","date":"2009-07-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39175","proposer":"10133","edm":"1949","session":"2008-09","title":"Chagos Islands","text":"That this House notes that the Government has requested a further postponement in responding to the European Court of Human Rights' request for its views on the Government's position concerning a friendly settlement on the return of the Chagos Islanders to their homeland; further notes that it is essential that the Government upholds the highest standard of human rights; and accordingly asks the Government to consult with relevant parliamentarians before submitting its response.","date":"2009-07-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"39119","proposer":"10169","edm":"1897","session":"2008-09","title":"Cyprus And Unity Talks","text":"That this House welcomes the commitment shown by the two Cypriot leaders, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, under the auspices of the United Nations, in persevering in the ongoing unity talks; further welcomes their agreement to open the Limnitis-Yesilirmak crossing; commends the work of the Missing Persons Committee in discovering and returning remains of both Greek and Turkish Cypriot missing to their families and the extensive demining of the buffer zone; urges the leaders to expedite the process for a historic solution by Cypriots for Cypriots, particularly on the 35th anniversary of the events of 1974; recalls previous such incidents in 1963-64 and the late 1950s; further recalls with regret the suffering of all Cypriot people; and looks forward to a future when a peaceful, reunited Cyprus will be a partner not an enemy of Turkey, and vice versa, removing one of the obstacles for Turkey in December's Accession Report and on its path to the EU generally, while vastly improving relations between Britain's allies, contributing to regional peace, prosperity and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.","date":"2009-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38963","proposer":"10133","edm":"1764","session":"2008-09","title":"Democracy In Honduras","text":"That this House deplores the military action that has been taken in Honduras to remove the democratically-elected government; believes that only the Honduran people have the right to determine their government through a democratic process and that this action against democracy should be condemned throughout the world; and therefore calls for the immediate reinstatement of the democratically-elected government in Honduras.","date":"2009-06-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38954","proposer":"10177","edm":"1755","session":"2008-09","title":"Iranian Presidential Election 2009","text":"That this House supports the Iranian citizens who are utilising their democratic right to protest over the disputed Presidential election results of 12 June 2009; is concerned by reports of the arrest, torture and murder of protesters by the Revolutionary Guards and paramilitary Bassij; further supports the Iranian people in bringing about democratic change; and urges the Iranian Government to accept free and fair UN-supervised elections.","date":"2009-06-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38938","proposer":"11817","edm":"1740","session":"2008-09","title":"Conduct Of The Prime Minister","text":"That this House notes the disparaging and derisory comments made by the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 23 June 2009 on the European Council on the Law and Justice Party of Poland; further notes that such an attack is not only an insult to the President of Poland, who is a member of this Party, but also to the Polish people who elected him and his Party to office; further notes that the Prime Minister has managed to offend many senior representatives because of his lecturing and patronising approach; and urges the Prime Minister to take time out to attend a course on the basic elements of international diplomacy before he severely damages the UK's relations with other countries such as Poland any further.","date":"2009-06-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38661","proposer":"10120","edm":"1490","session":"2008-09","title":"Aung San Suu Kyi","text":"That this House deplores the decision of Burma's regime to move the democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, to Insein prison to face charges relating to an incident involving a US citizen who broke into her compound last week; is dismayed by her unlawful detention under house arrest for 13 of the 19 years since the military junta refused to recognise the 1990 landslide victory of her party, the National League for Democracy; is concerned that this incident could give the military junta a convenient reason to extend her unlawful detention, which was meant to end shortly; is concerned about reports of a deterioration in Ms Suu Kyi's health; calls on the international community to do more to secure the release of political prisoners in Burma and to disregard the results of next year's elections if they are not free and fair; and applauds the European Union for extending its sanctions against the regime, including an arms embargo, a travel ban on Burma\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s leaders and a freezing of their assets in Europe.","date":"2009-05-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38644","proposer":"10383","edm":"1476","session":"2008-09","title":"Detention Of Trade Unionists And Students In Iran","text":"That this House notes with concern that during the May Day rally in Laleh Park, Tehran over 100 participants were physically attacked and arrested, including leading members of the Free Trade Union, and that at the May Day rally in Sanandaj in western Iran a further attack took place with 10 arrested; further notes that the Iranian authorities continue to detain Mr Mansour Osaloo, the President of the Tehran Bus Drivers Syndicate and students from the Freedom and Equality Seeking Activists movement; and calls on the Government to condemn these human rights abuses and to urge the Iranian government for the release of these detainees.","date":"2009-05-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38630","proposer":"10021","edm":"1462","session":"2008-09","title":"Arrests Of Democratic Society Party Members In Turkey","text":"That this House is concerned about the recent wave of arrests in Turkey of members of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), a legal political party which, in the recent Turkish local elections, achieved a resounding endorsement from Kurdish voters; notes that the Party's success awakened hope for many millions of Kurds that their voice would be heard in Turkish politics; regrets that in responding to the DTP's electoral victories with repression, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is revealing itself to be little different from previous administrations which have refused to acknowledge the existence of a Kurdish issue and thus offered no solutions for resolving it; believes that it is the duty of all those who seek peace and stability in Turkey to support the responsible calls for a just democratic solution to the issue of the rights of the Kurdish people; calls for the immediate release of all those DTP members who have been arrested; and urges the UK Government to put the utmost diplomatic pressure on Turkey to turn away from conflict and to open negotiations with DTP leaders forthwith as it believes the DTP has a key role to play in any peace process and bringing stability to the region.","date":"2009-05-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38373","proposer":"11374","edm":"1249","session":"2008-09","title":"Senator Edward Kennedy (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes with concern the decision to confer an honorary knighthood upon Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, despite the clouds that still hang over him due to his expulsion from Harvard and his role in the events at Chappaquiddick; further notes that Senator Kennedy has consistently supported the political wing of the IRA which for many decades killed a great number of innocent civilians; further notes that he opposed the sale of US arms to the RUC at the height of the terrorist onslaught; believes that it is in extremely poor taste that Senator Kennedy is being awarded a knighthood for services to the UK-US relationship and services to Northern Ireland despite the fact that he has for many years supported the break-up of the United Kingdom and has explicitly sought to deny the wishes of the majority of people in Northern Ireland by supporting calls for Northern Ireland to cease to exist and become part of the Republic of Ireland; further notes that he offended many in Northern Ireland by calling for Protestants to go back to Britain; and calls on the Government to reconsider the conferral of his honour.","date":"2009-04-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38365","proposer":"11573","edm":"1244","session":"2008-09","title":"Lost Heritage Cyprus Exhibition","text":"That this House welcomes the new Lost Heritage exhibition at Gallery K in London running until 30 April 2009; commends the work of the photographer Doros Partasides in bringing together an exhibition of works by well-known artists highlighting the damage to the cultural heritage of Cyprus from the division of the island; notes the substantial loss and damage to icons, mosaics, wall-paintings and artefacts in monasteries and churches dating from the fifth to the 16th century; further notes the ongoing negotiations between President Christofias and Mr Talat and hopes that a settlement will lead to the restoration of Cypriot heritage; and urges the Government to do all it can to support a reunited Cyprus on an agreed basis by Cypriots.","date":"2009-03-31","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38319","proposer":"10224","edm":"1198","session":"2008-09","title":"World Conference Against Racism (No. 2)","text":"That this House recognises the importance of the forthcoming Durban Review Conference to be held in Geneva in April 2009; recalls the declaration of the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban in 2001 which emphasised the importance of the provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress, and compensatory and other measures at the national, regional and international levels, aimed at countering the continued impact of slavery and the slave trade; and urges the Government to support proposals at the Review to ensure that the recommendations of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action are put into practice.","date":"2009-03-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38292","proposer":"10371","edm":"1172","session":"2008-09","title":"South Africa And The Dalai Lama","text":"That this House deeply regrets the decision by South Africa to refuse a visa to the Dalai Lama to attend a peace conference in Johannesburg this week; questions the priorities of the South African government in taking such a course of action so as not to upset relations with China; and calls on the South African government to reverse its decision in the interests of promoting free speech and pursuing a peaceful solution to settling the longstanding dispute over the autonomy and human rights of the people of Tibet.","date":"2009-03-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38052","proposer":"10079","edm":"968","session":"2008-09","title":"Senator Edward Kennedy","text":"That this House warmly welcomes the awarding of an honorary knighthood to Senator Edward Kennedy for services to US-UK relations and to the peace process in Northern Ireland; recognises the contribution he has made over 46 years in the US Senate to advancing the cause of human rights, universal healthcare and a more just society; and acknowledges that his contribution to public service has established him as one of the finest and most effective US senators in the history of that august body.","date":"2009-03-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38050","proposer":"10133","edm":"939A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Situation Of Chagos Islanders","text":"at end add `and facilitate their right of return.'.","date":"2009-03-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"38018","proposer":"10586","edm":"939","session":"2008-09","title":"Situation Of Chagos Islanders","text":"That this House remains concerned about the position of the former Chagos Islanders; and urges the Government to review the position and inform the House what steps it will take to improve their situation.","date":"2009-03-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37938","proposer":"10077","edm":"861","session":"2008-09","title":"HUGO CHAVEZ AND VENEZUELA'S CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM","text":"That this House welcomes the democratic victory of Hugo Chavez in a national constitutional referendum on 15 February 2009, won with 55 per cent. support and with a 70 per cent. turnout; notes that international electoral observers, the Venezuelan opposition and the US administration, have recognised the results; further notes that this was the 13th electoral victory by Chavez and his coalition of supporters in the past decade; and congratulates the Venezuelan government on its strong democratic record and progressive and popular policies that have included free healthcare being made available to millions of people for the first time, the eradication of illiteracy to UNESCO standards and the halving of extreme poverty.","date":"2009-02-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37780","proposer":"11522","edm":"725","session":"2008-09","title":"Vice-President Biden And American Foreign Policy","text":"That this House gives a hearty welcome to Vice-President Biden's comments on providing a new tone to America's foreign policy.","date":"2009-02-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37782","proposer":"11522","edm":"727","session":"2008-09","title":"Conduct Of The Sri Lankan Government","text":"That this House notes the strong cross-party consensus of concern expressed during the topical debate on Sri Lanka about the conduct of the Sri Lankan government, including a robust statement from the Minister of State; and asks that the Government give voice to this concern at the UN Security Council.","date":"2009-02-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37759","proposer":"11199","edm":"705","session":"2008-09","title":"Waitangi Day New Zealand","text":"That this House is proud to join the people of New Zealand in celebrating Waitangi Day, their national day, on 6 February 2009, commemorating the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, that marks the coming together of the Maori people and representatives of the British Crown; notes the importance of maintaining strong links between the United Kingdom and New Zealand; recognises the strong historic bond and shared heritage, longstanding trading relationships and deeply intertwined cultural, educational and military ties between the peoples of these two great allies and Commonwealth members who share Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State and Sovereign; and urges the Government to continue to foster and strengthen the special relationship that binds these two nations together.","date":"2009-02-05","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37691","proposer":"10381","edm":"641","session":"2008-09","title":"Sri Lanka And The Commonwealth","text":"That this House notes the Harare Commonwealth Declaration 1991, which states that members share a commitment to certain fundamental principles including respect for human rights; further notes with grave concern the deepening crisis in Sri Lanka; and calls on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to suspend Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth until a ceasefire has been established and its government grants a UN monitoring mission unfettered access to the country, allows international aid agencies access to the Vanni region and resumes peace negotiations.","date":"2009-01-29","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37667","proposer":"10169","edm":"621","session":"2008-09","title":"Syriac And Assyrian Cultural Rights","text":"That this House is concerned about the cultural and religious rights of the Syriac and Assyrian community in Turkey, whose numbers in the Tur Abdin heartland have decreased from over 100,000 to under 3,000 in recent years; believes that the prohibition of the Syriac language violates the freedom of religion; calls on the government of Turkey to respect the international treaties it signed regarding religious and cultural freedom and officially to recognise the Syriac, as well as Armenian and Kurdish names, of villages in its eastern regions.","date":"2009-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37674","proposer":"12834","edm":"457A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Conflict In Gaza","text":"leave out `540 Israeli academics, artists and writers' and insert `almost 600 British Jews opposed to the invasion of Gaza and citing similar opinions by 540 Israeli academics, artists and writers, as well as 1,800 residents of Sderot and Gaza'.","date":"2009-01-28","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37633","proposer":"10077","edm":"595","session":"2008-09","title":"Evo Morales And The Bolivian Constitutional Referendum","text":"That this House welcomes the victory of Evo Morales in winning the Bolivian constitutional referendum in Bolivia with the support of around 60 per cent. of the electorate; notes that the new constitution provides for a more equal distribution of Bolivia's natural resources and land and also addresses the centuries-long discrimination faced by the majority indigenous population; and calls on the right-wing opposition who have engaged in sustained violence to subvert the democratic process to now accept the expressed will of the Bolivian people.","date":"2009-01-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37601","proposer":"10169","edm":"567","session":"2008-09","title":"Election Of Andros Kyprianou","text":"That this House welcomes the election of Andros Kyprianou as the fifth General Secretary and leader of AKEL, the governing party in the Republic of Cyprus, succeeding President Demetris Christofias after the latter stood down to concentrate on the settlement talks with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat; recalls Andros Kyprianou briefing delegations of British politicians in Cyprus, in London and at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, particularly on international relations; remembers his talks in London often on platforms alongside Turkish Cypriots, and specifically his talks in the House on the day dedicated to Missaouli and Kavazogilou, the two members of AKEL who were shot together for their joint work for Cyprus, at the Wood Green Cypriot Centre, with Izzet Izcan and representing AKEL at his good friend Ozker Ozgur's memorial; and notes his statement that he hopes to work not only for AKEL to maintain its leading role in the Republic of Cyprus but to be a true servant of the people of Cyprus.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37624","proposer":"11522","edm":"590","session":"2008-09","title":"Deaths In Sri Lanka","text":"That this House expresses its gravest concen at reports of the deaths of 350 internally displaced people in a safety zone in Varnn.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37565","proposer":"13735","edm":"538","session":"2008-09","title":"New United States Foreign Policy And Cuba, Iran And North Korea","text":"That this House fully endorses the sentiments expressed by President Obama in his inaugural speech as 44th President of the United States on 20 January 2009 when he said that the United States is a `friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity'; is encouraged by President Obama's assertion that his administration is `ready to lead once more'; and looks forward to the United States normalising diplomatic relations with Cuba, Iran and North Korea and working positively to help restore the full return to the international community of these states so that their citizens can enjoy the benefits of friendly international relations.","date":"2009-01-21","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37540","proposer":"10614","edm":"515","session":"2008-09","title":"Inauguration Of President Obama","text":"That this House congratulates Barack Obama on his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States; recognises the significance of his election as the first black President; further recognises the progress the United States has made in terms of integration and equality; and looks forward to the positive impact he will have on relations between the United Kingdom and the United States and on relations between the United States and the wider world.","date":"2009-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37541","proposer":"12004","edm":"516","session":"2008-09","title":"PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S ADMINISTRATION AND MACNEIL OF BARRA","text":"That this House warmly congratulates President Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States; notes that while he was studying at Harvard Law School 20 years ago his law professor, Iain Roderick MacNeil of Barra, Chief of Clan MacNeil, noted to his wife, Nancy, that he may indeed have the first black president of the United States in his class; and hopes that President Obama's administration will exploit its talents to seek peace.","date":"2009-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37488","proposer":"10169","edm":"464","session":"2008-09","title":"Text Life For Peace For Israel, Peace For Gaza Campaign","text":"That this House recognises the need for a sustainable peace in the Middle East, in which both Israelis and Gazans can live their lives, free from the hateful and violent ideology of Hamas; commends to all hon. Members the initiative launched by the Jewish community at the Peace for Israel, Peace for Gaza rally in Trafalgar Square on 11 January, whereby all advocates of peace have been urged to text the word LIFE to 81400 in order to raise funds, which will be divided equally between aid efforts in both Israel and Gaza; and further recognises that while political opinion is often divided on the Israel\/Palestine issue, there can be no better way than this to show support for innocent civilians on both sides of the conflict.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37492","proposer":"10177","edm":"468","session":"2008-09","title":"International Policy On Sudan","text":"That this House notes the fourth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South Sudan that ended decades of brutal civil war; welcomes the Chatham House report entitled Against the Gathering Storm which highlights the risk of renewed civil war in Sudan if the CPA breaks down; underlines the need for international supporters of the CPA to engage urgently and multilaterally with a new approach that draws together the problems in Darfur with those in all other regions of Sudan; urges the parties to the agreement and its international guarantors to push the CPA beyond operational implementation by moving forward provisions on root causes of the conflict such as land, national reconciliation and local governance; and calls on the Government and its international partners to adopt a consistent and coherent policy towards Sudan that takes into account the country's interlocking conflicts and ensures free and fair elections in 2009.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37493","proposer":"10385","edm":"469","session":"2008-09","title":"End To Child Suffering In Gaza","text":"That this House calls on the Government to assist in bringing an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; recognises that the current escalation of violence is unprecedented in both the scope and the impact this is having on Gaza's children, who suffer physically and emotionally; is concerned that more than 1,000 Palestinian children and over 100 Israeli children have been killed in the conflict since 2000; and is further concerned that the ongoing attacks will only worsen the situation and occur at a time when the Gazan population is already severely afflicted.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37462","proposer":"10521","edm":"439","session":"2008-09","title":"Closure Of Guant\u00e3namo Bay Detention Facility","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement of the proposed closure of the Guant\u00c3\u00a1namo Bay Detention Facility; calls for this to happen more quickly than the projection of within the next two years; notes with disgust that it has existed for seven years under the administration of the President of the United States, George W. Bush; condemns the brutal manner in which detainees have been treated, coupled with a refusal of a fair trial and subjection to severe violations of their human rights; acknowledges the closure of Guant\u00c3\u00a1namo Bay as one step towards the closure of all such detention facilities around the world; demands that all detainees should be entitled to the protections of the Geneva Convention; believes that evidence gained under torture is unreliable and immoral; expresses concern that prisoners have included UK citizens such as Moazzam Begg, who spent three years in captivity at detention facilities in Afghanistan and Guant\u00c3\u00a1namo Bay, without charge or explanation; advocates the immediate release of all those detained unlawfully; urges the international community to have them returned home safely or to countries where they do not face the risk of arbitrary detention and torture; and calls on the Government to maintain a strong line on human rights abuses perpetrated by the US and to step up diplomatic pressure on the international community to enforce the closure of all secret detention facilities around the world.","date":"2009-01-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37480","proposer":"10528","edm":"457","session":"2008-09","title":"Conflict In Gaza","text":"That this House welcomes the statement in The Times by Jews for Justice for Palestinians signed by 540 Israeli academics, artists and writers, calling for an end to the slaughter in Gaza; and welcomes in particular its demands for an immediate unconditional ceasefire, an end to the blockade and the opening of dialogue with Hamas, without which there can be no durable peace, UK condemnation of Israeli breaches of the Geneva Conventions, just as the UK has condemned Hamas rockets, an investigation into war crimes that may have been committed by any party to the conflict, an embargo on arms to Israel and lastly the suspension of the EU-Israel Association until Israel fulfils the basic human rights conditions on which it is predicated.","date":"2009-01-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37440","proposer":"11245","edm":"420","session":"2008-09","title":"Turkish Policy On Iraqi Kurdistan","text":"That this House is concerned about improper use of military force; wishes to see an end to the continuing bombardment by Turkey of Iraqi Kurdistan; believes that this bombardment militates against Turkish credibility in acting as a mediator in the Middle East conflict; and calls on the Government to make representations to Turkey to stop its bombardment and engage in more meaningful discussions with the Kurdistan Regional Government.","date":"2009-01-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37443","proposer":"11589","edm":"423","session":"2008-09","title":"Terror In Gaza","text":"That this House deplores the concentration of violence, degradation and hardship suffered by the Palestinian people; condemns terrorist attacks on Israelis by Hamas or other armed factions; recognises that the essence of terrorism is to attack civilians and civil infrastructure to achieve or impose political ends; condemns, unequivocally, the Israeli Defence Force's onslaught of terror in Gaza; rejects the pretence of military equivalence between the ruthless firepower unleashed by Israel in Gaza and the deplorable rockets fired by Hamas or others against Israeli people; refutes the false argument that the high-tech, high-death toll terror tactics deployed by Israel against the people of Gaza are morally superior or ethically different to the crude weapons employed by Hamas and others; and regrets the failure of the Government and the international community to unequivocally condemn the outrageous actions of Israel's government or threaten any sanction in response to escalating humanitarian transgressions, flagrant breaches of international law, continuous flouting of UN resolutions and possible war crimes.","date":"2009-01-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37408","proposer":"10363","edm":"392","session":"2008-09","title":"Establishment Of Labour Friends Of Palestine And The Middle East","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East to provide a voice for Labour Party members and supporters who want to see a viable and independent state of Palestine alongside Israel; acknowledges that the organisation opposes the use of violence, whether by Israel or Palestinians, and regards the excessive military force used by Israel in Gaza as grossly disproportionate and counterproductive; notes with concern that moderate Palestinian public opinion is being critically undermined by Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the confiscation of Palestinian land and the proliferation of checkpoints; presses for international laws to be upheld and the human rights and equality of Palestinians and all peoples in the region to be respected; and looks forward to working with the Government and the Labour Party to promote a just and sustainable peace settlement for Israel and Palestine.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37413","proposer":"10614","edm":"398","session":"2008-09","title":"Ceasefire In Sri Lanka","text":"That this House condemns the violent atrocities in Sri Lanka which have resulted in the deaths of so many civilians, including the shocking murder of Mr Lasantha Wickramatunga and the entrance of armed guards into the offices of the country's largest private television broadcaster; believes that such incidents are a direct attack on press freedom; and calls for the British Government to take urgent action to help secure an immediate ceasefire on the part of all included in these conflicts.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37423","proposer":"10076","edm":"408","session":"2008-09","title":"Gaza","text":"That this House expresses outrage at Israel's overwhelmingly disproportionate use of force in Gaza which continues to inflict massive civilian casualties, particularly amongst children and which has involved strikes on aid convoys, United Nations schools and medical personnel; calls for an immediate ceasefire including the end of Israel's attacks on Gaza, the withdrawal of its troops and the cessation of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel; further calls for the demands of the Security Council to allow the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment to be implemented and for the end of the long-term Israeli blockade of Gaza; further calls on the Government to initiate proceedings, with the other High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, to require the protection of civilians in times of war and to require accountability for military action which contravenes the Convention; further calls for an arms embargo on both sides and for the remit of any international forces deployed to include protection of Palestinian civilians from blockade and attack as well as the prevention of arms supplies which threaten Israeli civilians; further calls on the European Union to demonstrate that the continued implementation of its Association Agreement with Israel is conditional on Israel's respecting human rights; demands that Israel stops blocking international journalists from entering Gaza; and calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to achieve the lasting settlement of a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37426","proposer":"11522","edm":"411","session":"2008-09","title":"Middle East And UK Security","text":"That this House, noting that developments in Palestine can have an adverse impact upon the security situation in the United Kingdom, urges the Government to work closely with the new administration in Washington to secure a permanent two-state peace settlement.","date":"2009-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37381","proposer":"10339","edm":"366","session":"2008-09","title":"Us Missile Defence","text":"That this House notes the concern across Europe, including the UK, at the Bush Administration's plans to install further missile defence bases on the continent; welcomes the support for nuclear disarmament initiatives from Barack Obama; further notes that Mr Obama has made no commitment to missile defence until the technology is proved to be workable; further notes that this House has not had a debate on missile defence since January 2003; and calls on the Government to scrutinise US missile defence deployment plans in the UK and their implications for UK and European security as a whole.","date":"2008-12-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37383","proposer":"11323","edm":"368","session":"2008-09","title":"Democratic Society Party And Turkey","text":"That this House deplores the proceedings taken in the Turkish Constitutional Court to ban the Turkish political party known as the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which has a large and important following among Turkey's Kurdish populace including 22 elected Kurdish members of the Turkish National Assembly, constituting its fourth largest faction dedicated to democratic principles and almost the only specifically Kurdish political voice available to the 18 to 20 million Kurdish-speaking people of Turkey who have long been deprived of due and proper ethnic recognition; urges the Government to call on the Turkish government actively to seek the withdrawal of those proceedings which endanger the fundamental principles of pluralistic democracy, and instead to ensure that the DTP and other political parties are permitted to participate in democratic activities and parliamentary procedures so that the political and cultural rights of the Kurdish people in Turkey and their social and economic development are not impeded by the state but are supported and encouraged; and notes that political and democratic conditions are created that will end the armed conflict and resolve the Kurdish question through peace, negotiation and dialogue.","date":"2008-12-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37312","proposer":"13735","edm":"303","session":"2008-09","title":"Us And Iraq","text":"That this House notes with understanding the protest made by Mr Muntader al-Zaidi, a reporter with the Al-Baghdadiya TV channel, in hurling his shoes at United States President George W. Bush during the President's valedictory visit to Baghdad's high security green zone on 14 December; notes that in Arabic culture throwing shoes is regarded as a serious insult against the person at whom they are thrown; strongly believes there was every justification for the anger shown by the journalist who complained his country had been destroyed by the invasion, led by Mr Bush and backed by the present British Labour Government along with the majority of the Conservative opposition, which has directly resulted in over 500,000 deaths of entirely innocent civilian Iraqis; further notes with disgust that President Bush thought it fit to make a joke of the sincere protest; and looks forward to President Obama's commitment, from a politician who was wise enough, along with hundreds of millions of protesting marchers across the globe, to oppose the illegal invasion, to right the wrongs done to Iraq and its benighted people.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37314","proposer":"10527","edm":"305","session":"2008-09","title":"Human Rights In Kazakhstan","text":"That this House notes with concern the findings of the Human Rights Watch report An Atmosphere of Quiet Repression, detailing the poor state of human rights in Kazakhstan; furthers notes that serious improvement should be expected for when Kazakhstan chairs the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2010; believes that too little progress has been made to improving the situation; and calls on the Government to put more pressure on the Kazakh government to rectify the poor regard for human rights in the country.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37324","proposer":"10169","edm":"315","session":"2008-09","title":"Late President Of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos","text":"That this House joins the people of Cyprus, his wife Fotini, his family, friends and colleagues in mourning the passing of the former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, who died on 12 December 2008, of lung cancer; recalls that he served as the Fifth President of the Republic of Cyprus from February 2003 to February 2008, during which time he oversaw Cyprus' entry to the European Union on 1 May 2004 and on 1 January 2008 the adoption of the euro currency; recalls also his long public service from being Makarios' first Interior Minister, through his leadership of the DIKO party, and his successful legal practice; agrees with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias that he was a politician with depth and was widely respected by Cypriot society which respects patriots who conscientiously serve it; and recognises a leader who never wavered from taking a stand against prevailing public and political opinion if he believed it served the island's best interests, and who always defended the creation of the Cyprus Republic as an achievement of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots after Britain's colonial rule.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37325","proposer":"10431","edm":"316","session":"2008-09","title":"Future Of Moldova","text":"That this House reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within internationally recognised borders; supports the European integration perspective of Moldova; strongly encourages early adoption of a new EU-Moldova Agreement to pave the way for Moldova's future EU membership; regrets that significant progress in the Transnistrian settlement process has not been achieved; calls on all parties to resume work towards a sustainable and comprehensive political solution with a special legal status for Transnistria within Moldova; calls for the resumption of the 5+2 negotiation format; recognises that these negotiations are crucial in achieving a viable settlement respecting the principles of international law and the commitments assumed by the OSCE member states; requests the resumption of Joint Working Group activity on measures to build confidence and security; appreciates the work of the EU Border Assistance Mission in improving security and custom control at the Moldovian-Ukranian border; welcomes the extension of its mandate after 2009; affirms the necessity of fully implementing the 1999 Istanbul OSCE Summit decision on the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Republic of Moldova's territory; calls for the formation of a multinational mission of civilian observers under an international mandate; and supports the initiative to convene a high level Conference of Donors in 2009 on a post-conflict rehabilitation and development programme for Moldova.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37222","proposer":"10076","edm":"224","session":"2008-09","title":"Palestinians And Peace In The Middle East","text":"That this House welcomes statements by the Government recognising that justice for the Palestinians is an essential component in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East for both Israelis and Palestinians; further welcomes the acknowledgement by Ehud Olmert, the outgoing Israeli Prime Minister, that the decision facing Israel is something Israeli governments have refused to face with open eyes for 40 years and his recognition that a peace agreement with Palestinians depends upon Israel ending its occupation and withdrawing from Occupied Palestinian Territories including East Jerusalem; notes with alarm that since the Annapolis Conference intended to introduce a final status agreement, the number of housing units in illegal settlements in the West Bank has actually increased; believes that the wide international acknowledgement of Palestinian human, national, legal and political rights as reflected in UN resolutions, the Geneva Convention and ICJ opinion must urgently be acted upon and realised; urges the Government to ensure that the UK, EU and UN policy reflects this urgency; and also urges both the incoming US President and the next Israeli leader not to wait until the end of their terms of office to recognise their own responsibilities to achieve a just settlement in line with these principles, and in negotiation with the Palestinians, to secure an independent state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel.","date":"2008-12-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37229","proposer":"10013","edm":"231","session":"2008-09","title":"Security Situation In Israel","text":"That this House notes with concern the deteriorating security situation in Israel's southern communities of Ashkelon, Sderot and the western Negav; condemns the firing of over 200 rockets and mortars, including long-range Katyusha rockets, from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip since 5 November 2008; recognises the toll these rocket attacks are taking on the people of Sderot in particular, two thirds of whom suffer post-traumatic stress disorder and whose lives are shaped by warning sirens and bomb shelters; acknowledges Hamas' violation of the ceasefire with Israel and its deliberate launching of rockets from populated areas into civilian territory; denounces the continued digging of tunnels in Gaza to smuggle arms, military equipment and militants into the territory to launch further attacks against Israel; further recognises the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip; calls for rapid improvement in the humanitarian and economic circumstances of the Gazan people; urges Hamas to stop the rocket and mortar attacks in order that Israel can at all times keep the crossings into Gaza open; welcomes the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Sderot, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, as well as his efforts on behalf of the Government to meet and work with those people who seek a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict; further recognises that the US-led Annapolis process has produced progress to date; and believes this represents the best opportunity to turn the two state solution into a reality.","date":"2008-12-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37201","proposer":"10100","edm":"207","session":"2008-09","title":"Democracy In Uganda","text":"That this House notes that the Ugandan main opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye returned from exile in South Africa three years ago on 26 October 2005, and was immediately arrested and charged with rape, terrorism and treason; recalls that he won an impressive 37 per cent. of vote share although he was nominated as a presidential candidate while in prison; notes that the Uganda Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Election Observer Team and the European Union Monitoring Team reported that the presidential elections were conducted outside the law because there was no separation between the ruling party and the state, and because of violence perpetrated by the army against the opposition; also notes that Lieutenant Ramathan Magara, who allegedly shot and killed three of Dr Besigye's supporters at a rally on 15 February 2006, has been set free; regrets that Dr Besigye's treason trial is yet to be finalised; and calls on the Government to use its influence in the Commonwealth and the European Union to ensure not only the expeditious trial of Dr Besigye and Lieutenant Magara, but also the implementation of the recommendations of the European Union and Commonwealth reports on the 2006 elections.","date":"2008-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37208","proposer":"10001","edm":"214","session":"2008-09","title":"Shooting Of Alexandros Grigoropoulos","text":"That this House is saddened and concerned by the fatal shooting of the innocent 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in Athens on 6 December; regrets the violence that has followed the shooting; and hopes that the situation will soon be stabilised.","date":"2008-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"37075","proposer":"10169","edm":"83","session":"2008-09","title":"World Conference Against Racism","text":"That this House notes that the 2001 World Conference Against Racism held in Durban produced unprecedented levels of anti-semitism and anti-Zionism under the banner of the United Nations; notes that a follow-up Review Conference will be held in April 2009; recalls that the Government has publicly pledged to withdraw from the Review process if there is a repetition of the anti-semitism experienced at the 2001 Conference; further notes that Israel and Canada have already withdrawn their participation from the conference; expresses concern that the draft working document produced at the October 2008 Preparatory Committee Meeting of the Durban Review Process contains unacceptable text accusing Israel of committing genocide and apartheid while no other country is singled out for mention, language that downplays the importance of tackling anti-semitism and passages that seek to curtail freedom of expression in order to protect religion from criticism; commends continuing efforts by UK diplomats to negotiate a fair and legitimate Declaration for the conference; and calls on the Government to withdraw from the Durban Review Process if the final Declaration is not acceptable.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36935","proposer":"10133","edm":"2520","session":"2007-08","title":"Status Of Western Sahara","text":"That this House recalls that at 9.00am on 16th October 1975, the International Court of Justice delivered its Advisory Opinion on the Western Sahara, upholding the right of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara; welcomes the public reading of the said opinion at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) organised by Sandblast, a UK-based arts organisation and the Centre for the Study of Colonialism, Empire and International Law at SOAS to remind the international community of its duty; and urges the UK Government to to play a full part in ensuring that the Saharawi people are able finally to exercise their right to self-determination after 33 years.","date":"2008-11-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36928","proposer":"10437","edm":"2513","session":"2007-08","title":"VISIT OF CRAWLEY'S DIEGO GARCIA ASSOCIATION TO ITS HOMELAND","text":"That this House notes the disappointment caused by the House of Lords' decision for the people forced to leave Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands four decades ago; further notes that Mr Allen Vincatassin, Leader of the Diego Garcian Association in Crawley, has campaigned tirelessly for six people to visit Diego Garcia for one week; further notes his success has seen that visit begin on 15th November 2008; understands that the visit will allow for the collection of artefacts, the study of native flora and fauna and the placing of a plaque to commemorate this important visit; further notes that it will provide a valuable learning experience and knowledge of the cultural heritage for the many young people who are descendants of those originally born on the islands; accepts that this may not be the total solution but that it goes a long way to satisfy the Diego Garcians' pride in their heritage; congratulates the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for making this visit possible; and wishes the group well for an enjoyable visit and safe return.","date":"2008-11-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36898","proposer":"13735","edm":"2491","session":"2007-08","title":"President-Elect Obama And Support For Nuclear Disarmament","text":"That this House welcomes the support for nuclear disarmament initiatives and the strengthening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty made by President-elect Obama in his successful campaign for the United States presidency; notes that he affirmed the `long-term goal of achieving a world free of all nuclear weapons', echoing the personal commitment made by former US President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in their nuclear disarmament summit in Reykjavik in 1986; further notes that, as a Senator, Barack Obama also co-sponsored with Republican Senator Dick Lugar in 2007 a resolution in the US Senate to control nuclear explosive materials with the goal of `entirely securing all nuclear material in vulnerable sites within four years'; further notes that Mr Obama said in August 2007, during the Presidential campaign, he would, if elected, make it his `priority to build bipartisan consensus behind ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty'; and believes the Government should work constructively with President Obama to achieve these excellent global security goals.","date":"2008-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36879","proposer":"11672","edm":"2473","session":"2007-08","title":"Execution By Stoning Of Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow In Somalia","text":"That this House expresses grave concern following the unlawful stoning of Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow in Somalia; unequivocally condemns the inaction to defend her from bogus accusations of adultery; sees no justice under international human rights law, Sharia law or any other Somali law, in the sentence of stoning passed to this 13 year old girl; deplores the state of human rights affairs in Somalia with the lives of human rights activists and journalists being threatened on a daily basis; and calls on the Government to use every diplomatic measure at its disposal to prevent any future repeats of this terrible incident.","date":"2008-11-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36857","proposer":"10587","edm":"2453","session":"2007-08","title":"Eu And Russia","text":"That this House agrees with the decision of the European Council meeting on 1st September 2008 to suspend negotiations with Russia on a new partnership and cooperation agreement following Russia's unilateral and disproportionate military intervention in Georgia in August 2008; notes that the ceasefire agreements brokered on behalf of the European Union by President Sarkozy of France included, among other things, a commitment by Russia to withdraw its military forces to positions occupied before the start of hostilities on 7th August 2008 and allow EU monitors access to South Ossetia and Abkhazia; regrets that these commitments are still not being honoured; believes that an early resumption of negotiations on a new EU-Russia agreement would be premature and risk serious damage to the European Union's international credibility as an organisation that means what it says; further believes that Russia must be held to account for its refusal to abide by its international responsibilities, including violations of binding commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights, the Charter of Paris, the Energy Charter Treaty and the Vienna Conventions; calls on the European Union to make a resumption of negotiations conditional on full Russian compliance with the terms of the ceasefire agreements and to strengthen its negotiating mandate for a new EU-Russia agreement to insist that Russia respects its binding international commitments in all areas; and urges the UK Government to pursue forcefully these objectives in helping the European Union to adopt a more robust and credible policy towards Russia.","date":"2008-11-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36867","proposer":"10231","edm":"2463","session":"2007-08","title":"Kashmir Conflict And Trade Relations","text":"That this House records that 27th October 2008 marked the 61st anniversary of the Indian occupation of large areas of the state of Jammu and Kashmir; welcomes recent confidence building measures which have seen a trade agreement between the governments of India and Pakistan allowing the resumption of a modest level of trade along the Jhelum Valley Road and across the line of control; notes, however, that the respective governments have made little progress in settling the core issue at the heart of the Kashmir conflict and recognises that the question of self-determination for the people of Kashmir remains unresolved; and calls on the Government not only to support vigorously the UN resolutions of 1948, 1949 and 1957 which upheld the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination through a United Nations supervised plebiscite but also to take the lead in raising these matters again in the United Nations.","date":"2008-11-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36871","proposer":"11199","edm":"2467","session":"2007-08","title":"New Zealand General Election 2008","text":"That this House congratulates John Key, the new Prime Minister of New Zealand, on returning the National Party to power after nearly a decade in opposition, following its historic victory in the General Election on 8th November 2008; and urges Her Majesty's Government to work closely with the incoming government of New Zealand in order to strengthen the deeply held bond of friendship that exists between the two island nations who, despite being on opposite corners of the planet, share so much in common, through language, culture, history, economic co-operation, military and political ties and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of State and Sovereign.","date":"2008-11-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36874","proposer":"11245","edm":"2418A1","session":"2007-08","title":"President-Elect Barack Obama","text":"leave out from `States;' to end and add `and, while it hopes for improvements in relations between the United States and other countries around the world, universal healthcare for American citizens and a tax cut for the middle classes, recognises the need for balanced and reasonable expectations, once the euphoria has settled.'.","date":"2008-11-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36841","proposer":"10123","edm":"2441","session":"2007-08","title":"Power Sharing In Iraq And Afghanistan","text":"That this House calls on the Government and its allies urgently to change its policy in order to bring about a widespread powersharing arrangement in the governments of both Iraq and Afghanistan.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36850","proposer":"10062","edm":"2419A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Barack Obama And The Office Of President Of The United States Of America","text":"at end add `; and particularly welcomes the election of an African-American President on his own merits without the use of positive discrimination.'.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36852","proposer":"10968","edm":"2428A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Us Presidential Election And Uk-Us Relations","text":"after `the', insert `previous Conservative Governments'.","date":"2008-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36813","proposer":"10079","edm":"2418","session":"2007-08","title":"President-Elect Barack Obama","text":"That this House congratulates Senator Barack Obama on his convincing election as President-Elect of the United States; and looks forward to improved relations between the United States and other countries around the world, universal healthcare for American citizens, a tax cut for the middle classes and, through working with a greatly enhanced Democratic US Congress, an end to the disastrous and divisive policies of the George W Bush Presidency.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36814","proposer":"10614","edm":"2419","session":"2007-08","title":"Barack Obama And The Office Of President Of The United States Of America","text":"That this House congratulates Barack Obama on his election as the 44th President of the United States of America; recognises that first and foremost his election is an endorsement of his skills as a leader, an orator and a politician; notes that even a few years ago it would have been unimaginable for an African-American man to run for President let alone win; identifies him as a shining example of how far America has come in respect of integration and equality; welcomes the record level of turnout during this election and its positive impact on democracy; and looks forward to a new era in the relationship between our two countries and the wider world.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36821","proposer":"10541","edm":"2427","session":"2007-08","title":"OBAMA'S GREEN NEW DEAL","text":"That this House congratulates Barack Obama on his historic victory in the US presidential election; welcomes, in particular, his proposals for a Green New Deal, investing $150 billion and delivering five million jobs in turning the US into a sustainable energy economy; and calls upon the Government to initiate a similar programme in the UK.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36822","proposer":"10009","edm":"2428","session":"2007-08","title":"Us Presidential Election And Uk-Us Relations","text":"That this House congratulates Senator Barack Obama on his victory in the race to become President of the United States; commends Senator John McCain on the dignified manner in which he conceded defeat; notes that the previous Labour Prime Minister and the current Labour government have slavishly followed the lead of the outgoing United States President George W Bush, with often disastrous consequences for the UK and for the world; and hopes that in future British Prime Ministers will put British interests first and take a real lead in domestic and world affairs.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36802","proposer":"11672","edm":"2408","session":"2007-08","title":"New President Of The United States And Withdrawal From Iraq","text":"That this House expresses the hope that the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States will lead to the commencement, as soon as is practically possible, of a safe, phased, withdrawal of US troops from Iraq; and further expresses the hope that this will lead to a similar withdrawal of British troops from that country.","date":"2008-11-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36758","proposer":"11656","edm":"2371","session":"2007-08","title":"More Women, More Power Campaign","text":"That this House is concerned that less than 20 per cent. of parliamentarians worldwide are women; recognises that this is a matter of justice and democracy and essential to tackling poverty and inequality and achieving the Millennium Development Goals; encourages hon. Members to support One World Action's More Women, More Power Campaign for greater political representations globally and in the UK by pressing for more aid to go to programmes in developing countries which promote and support women's political participation; and calls for action now to implement Article 7 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women on ending discrimination in political and public life.","date":"2008-10-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36743","proposer":"10252","edm":"2362","session":"2007-08","title":"Speaker Abbot Award","text":"That this House applauds Jonathan Paye-Layleh from Liberia and Michel Kilo from Syria, joint winners of the 2008 Parliamentary Press Gallery Speaker Abbot Award, supported by the Silbury Fund, given since 2003 to international journalists considered to have made the greatest contribution internationally to the protection, promotion and perpetuation of parliamentary democracy; notes that while Jonathan Paye-Layleh was able to receive his award from Mr Speaker in October 2008 at a reception in Mr Speaker's apartments at Westminster, Michel Kilo was arrested on 14th May 2006, accused of publishing `mendacious and exaggerated reports with the aim of discrediting the government' and `defaming the president and the courts', and remains in prison in Syria; and calls on the authorities in Syria to release Michel Kilo and allow him to continue the struggle for democracy in Syria.","date":"2008-10-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36750","proposer":"12004","edm":"2316A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Us Presidential Election","text":"at end add `and the end of George W. Bush's term as US President.'.","date":"2008-10-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36727","proposer":"10133","edm":"2347","session":"2007-08","title":"Free Gaza Campaign","text":"That this House applauds the excellent work of the Free Gaza (FG) Movement in highlighting the fact that Israel is imposing collective punishment on the 1.5 million people of Gaza, in contravention of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention; acknowledges the considerable pressure applied by the Israeli government on a FG voyage in August 2007; wishes the latest boat travelling from the port of Cyprus to Gaza carrying both a large group of concerned human rights workers, including among them Palestinian MP, Dr Mustafa Barghouti, and the Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, as well as medical practitioners and supplies, a safe voyage with no outside interference; and calls upon the Government to take action to ensure that the massive economic, political and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is brought to an end as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-10-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36712","proposer":"10133","edm":"2333","session":"2007-08","title":"House Of Lords Decision On Chagos","text":"That this House recognises that Chagos Islanders were disgracefully treated by successive British governments, by their forced removal from Diego Garcia and the Archipelago and their impoverished life in Mauritius and the Seychelles; further notes that the indefatigable spirit of the Chagossians enabled them to win their Right to Return by a High Court decision in 2000; further notes that the late Robin Cook as Foreign Secretary accepted this decision in its entirety; deplores the Government's use of Orders in Council nearly four years later to overturn the High Court judgment and the failure to consult Parliament on the matter; further notes that the Chagossians have won successive legal judgments in the British courts and notes that by a majority verdict the House of Lords endorsed the Foreign Secretary's appeal, upholding the Orders in Council; nevertheless believes an historic injustice has been done, and that the Foreign Office should now open serious discussions with the Islanders on their mode of return and to provide sufficient funding from UK and European sources to enable justice.","date":"2008-10-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36679","proposer":"10169","edm":"2311","session":"2007-08","title":"Progress In High-Level Talks In Cyprus","text":"That this House welcomes the beginning of high-level talks in Cyprus between Cypriot leaders Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat which opened on 3rd September with substantive talks on 11th and 18th September and 10th and 22nd October; further welcomes the initiative taken by Andreas Demetriou, the Education and Culture Minister, in designating this school year's core goal to cultivate an intercultural spirit aimed at reunification where Greek and Turkish Cypriots live together peacefully, the opening on 29th September of the Women's Multicultural Centre in Nicosia, the launch of the Centre for Democracy and Reconciliation in South East Europe's workbooks in Greek and Turkish for use in Cypriot schools, the initiative taken by President Christofias to cancel the annual military exercise of the Republic's national guard, code-name Nikiforos, followed by the reciprocal Turkish Cypriot cancellation of Taurus, and the International Women's Media Foundation's 2008 Courage in Journalism award presented to Sevgul Uludag, particularly for her interviews with Greek and Turkish Cypriot relatives of the missing persons; regrets the failure to open the Kato Pyrgos\/Kokkina\/Erenk\u00c3\u00b6y\/Limnitis\/Yesilirmak crossing in North East Cyprus; and hopes that the two Cypriot leaders will continue their meetings until they reach a Cypriot settlement for Cyprus.","date":"2008-10-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36684","proposer":"11522","edm":"2316","session":"2007-08","title":"Us Presidential Election","text":"That this House looks forward to the election of Senator Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.","date":"2008-10-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36598","proposer":"10177","edm":"2248","session":"2007-08","title":"Two Year Anniversary Of Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement","text":"That this House recognises the two year anniversary of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement signed between the Sudanese government and the Eastern Front; notes with concern that implementation of the agreement has been slow; points to rising tension between ethnic groups in the region and between the parties to the conflict; stresses that malnutrition rates in the east are in places the highest in Sudan, that 90 per cent. of the population in rural areas do not have access to safe drinking water, and that illiteracy in some localities reaches over 80 per cent.; further recognises that anger over such conditions was a primary cause of violent tension in the region, as in Darfur; and therefore urges the international community to engage more actively in monitoring and supporting the implementation of the Eastern Sudan Agreement to avoid further conflict and continued humanitarian catastrophe.","date":"2008-10-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36541","proposer":"10790","edm":"2192","session":"2007-08","title":"ECUADORIAN GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL FOR SAVING THE YASUNI FOREST","text":"That this House welcomes the proposal of the Ecuadorian government to preserve the Yasun\u00c3\u00ad forest by asking the international community to pay for not exploiting the oil reserves which lie underneath it; but believes that the proposal must include an unconditional, non-reversible commitment from the Ecuadorian government to preserve Yasun\u00c3\u00ad and protect the human rights of its people and must include an unlimited extension of the time given to reach agreement on how to do this and an international process led by the Ecuadorian Government, with full participation from local and indigenous groups in the region, to create a clear, coherent and fully representative proposal for securing a long-term sustainable future for Yasun\u00c3\u00ad; believes that this process should work in partnership with supportive non-governmental organisations and governments, and must also include a further assurance that any financial support from governments will come through an open, democratic and accountable process, and will not involve carbon trading, World Bank funding or debt cancellation schemes, which have proved ineffective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and damaging to local people's rights around the world; and finally considers that the proposal must include an assurance that any other projects which may have a negative impact on the area will not be allowed to go ahead.","date":"2008-10-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36521","proposer":"10527","edm":"2171","session":"2007-08","title":"Angola Elections","text":"That this House welcomes recent legislative elections in Angola, the first since 1992; notes with concern reports from the European Union observers and Human Rights Watch that the elections were not free, fair and transparent; and calls on the Government to act to encourage the Angolan state to ensure that a free, fair and transparent process is followed for the scheduled 2009 presidential election.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36337","proposer":"10142","edm":"2004","session":"2007-08","title":"Us Missile Defense Base In The Czech Republic","text":"That this House regrets the signing on 8th July by the United States administration and the government of the Czech Republic of a treaty to locate a US Missile Defense radar base in the Czech Republic; notes that the proposed base would work in tandem with the Menwith Hill communications base and the radar facility at RAF Fylingdales; fears that the location of those US-controlled Missile Defense facilities in Eastern Europe would further heighten tension between NATO and Russia; and further notes that Russia has repeatedly made clear its view that such a facility would be regarded as a threat to its national security.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36316","proposer":"13735","edm":"1984","session":"2007-08","title":"Global Food Shortages And G8 Menus","text":"That this House notes that when the participants at the G8 Heads of Government summit in Hokkaido, Japan, on 8th July discussed global food shortages over dinner, the menu comprised corn-stuffed caviar, smoked salmon and sea urchin, pain surprise style, hot onion tart, winter lily bulb and summer savoury, a folding fan modelled tray decorated with bamboo grasses, including kelp-flavoured cold Kyoto beef shabu-shabu, asparagus dressed with sesame cream, iced fatty flesh of tuna fish, avocado and jellied soy sauce and Japanese herb shiso, boiled clam, tomato, shiso in jellied clear soup of clam, water shield and pickled conger dressed with vinegar soy sauce, boiled prawn with jellied tosazu vinegar, grilled eel rolled around burdock strip, sweet potato, fried and seasoned Goby with soy sauce and sugar, hairy Crab Kegani bisque soup, salt-grilled bighand thornyhead with vinegary water pepper sauce, milk-fed shiranuka lamb flavoured with aromatic herbs and mustard, roasted lamb and c\u00c3\u00a8pes and black truffle with emulsion sauce of lamb's stock and pine seed oil, a special cheese selection, lavender honey and caramelised nuts, followed by a G8 fantasy dessert and coffee served with candied fruits and vegetables; further notes that the wine list comprised Le Reve grand cru champagne, Japanese saki, Corton Charlemagne 2005, Chateau Latour burgundy, Ridge California Monte Bello 1997 and Tokaji Essencia 1999 from Hungary; believes that such gastronomic extravagance was utterly inappropriate; and calls upon future G8 meetings to be organised taking into account the principles of resource sustainability.","date":"2008-07-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36247","proposer":"11245","edm":"1925","session":"2007-08","title":"Iraq Exit Strategy And The Simele Massacre Of Assyrians","text":"That this House notes that August 2008 will mark the 75th anniversary of the Simele Massacre of Assyrians in Iraq which was orchestrated by the Iraqi government only 10 months after the end of the British mandate; further notes and sincerely regrets the terrible repression suffered by the Assyrian people and the failure by past British governments to keep promises; further notes the relative stability provided by, and the good intentions of, the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq; and urges the British Government to ensure that the same mistakes will not be repeated as the coalition attempts to devise an exit strategy from Iraq.","date":"2008-07-01","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36204","proposer":"11245","edm":"1883","session":"2007-08","title":"Humanitarian Situation In Somalia","text":"That this House is deeply concerned by the developing humanitarian crisis in Somalia arising from civil war, political instability and catastrophic climate failures which have led to famine and drought; notes that the number of people desperately in need of help may rise to three million and that children under five years old are worst affected by these conditions and are suffering terrible consequences; and therefore calls on the Government to work with other African countries, non-governmental organisations and the international community and, particularly, to use bilateral aid to get humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia.","date":"2008-06-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36142","proposer":"10328","edm":"1834","session":"2007-08","title":"Democracy In Bangladesh","text":"That this House supports the declaration made by the Foreign Secretary on his visit to Bangladesh on 10th February 2008 that Britain will help Bangladesh and its people who are striving to achieve a democracy that will endure; expresses concern that the caretaker government have arrested thousands of political activists from the main political parties according to Human Rights Watch and Bangladeshi newspaper reports; notes the desire for free and fair elections to be held in December 2008 without intimidation or harassment; and calls on the UK Government to use its good offices to ensure the caretaker government of Bangladesh provides an environment conducive to the establishment of a sustainable democracy that involves all the main political parties.","date":"2008-06-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36097","proposer":"10123","edm":"1793","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil Interests Of Us President Bush And Vice-President Cheney","text":"That this House notes reports that based on US official returns, due to `imprecise ranges' President Bush and Vice-President Cheney could have investments of $20 and $100 million respectively; further notes that the US President has at least $1 million of investments held in a blind trust; further notes that none of the official returns indicate oil interests or investments but believes that both the President and Vice-President have had extensive such interests in the past; considers it very likely that they still have investments in oil, via blind trusts, and that they would very likely be aware of that; further notes that they are likely to resume ownership of oil shares when their terms of office conclude; further notes past campaign contributions from the oil industry; further notes that they have presided over policies which have led to a massive rise in the price of oil and that President Bush, in his latest London visit, gave an interview expressing coolness to the Prime Minister's proposal to bring down the world price of oil; and considers that there is prima facie evidence to consider that President Bush and Vice-President Cheney have acted in a way that lines their own pockets in a way only marginally more sophisticated than dictators of some developing countries in the past.","date":"2008-06-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36099","proposer":"10790","edm":"1795","session":"2007-08","title":"Contraction And Convergence","text":"That this House welcomes the joint statement of President Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, made on 9th June at the Ninth Franco-German Council of Ministers, in which they said `The international climate regime should be based on legitimate principles of equity, such as long-term convergence of emission levels per capita in the various countries'; and calls upon the Government to issue a similar statement.","date":"2008-06-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36086","proposer":"11892","edm":"1785","session":"2007-08","title":"Zimbabwe (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes with increasing alarm the on-going crisis in Zimbabwe; further notes the spiralling inflation, devastated economy and growing food shortages in that country; further notes that these are a direct result of the policies of the government led by Robert Mugabe; remembers that Zimbabwe was once known as the bread basket of Africa; condemns the combination of racism, corruption, greed, nepotism and administrative incompetence that has caused this crisis; expresses its opposition to the current attempts on the part of the Mugabe regime to subvert democracy, intimidate and launch physical attacks against political opponents and cling to power at the expense of the people of Zimbabwe; voices its support for all in Zimbabwe who are working to build a better future for it; and calls on the UK Government to prioritise the Zimbabwean tragedy in its work within the European Union and United Nations.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36023","proposer":"10356","edm":"1737","session":"2007-08","title":"Israel And Palestinian Funds","text":"That this House notes that the Israeli government has yet again delayed the hand over of part of the tax revenues owed by them to the Palestinian Authority; further notes that these funds are used to pay more than 165,000 Palestinian workers in a situation of acute economic crisis; further notes that in withholding such funds the Israeli government is violating its commitments under international peace agreements, and is again collectively punishing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians; therefore urges the Government to insist that the government of Israel hands over immediately the funds concerned and if Israel fails to do so within days further urges the Government to give increased opportunities to Palestinian representatives to make known their objections about Israeli actions to EU leaders; and further urges the Government to make clear to the government of Israel, that this action, together with the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories, seriously endangers Israel's chances of upgrading its ties with the European Union.","date":"2008-06-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36028","proposer":"10123","edm":"1742","session":"2007-08","title":"Bush Administration Financial Practices In Iraq","text":"That this House is appalled at the corruption, waste and theft associated with the US occupation of Iraq; takes note of the BBC Panorama programme of 10th June which disclosed that there are currently over 70 whistleblower cases involving $23 billion about which the US Justice Department has issued gagging orders; sympathises with the US public at the corruption and waste facilitated, tolerated and covered-up by the Bush Administration; and further notes that there has been much more waste and theft of Iraqi resources which, reasonably, the US should pay back.","date":"2008-06-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"36034","proposer":"10123","edm":"1748","session":"2007-08","title":"Iraqi Referendum On Occupation","text":"That this House notes the claim of the occupying powers in Iraq to be introducing democracy; further notes that democracy and occupation are almost certainly incompatible; takes account of reports that the US is planning a contract with the present Iraqi government to continue its occupation indefinitely beyond the end of the year when the UN mandate runs out; and considers that the demand of Moqtada al-Sadr's group and many others in Iraq for a referendum of all the Iraqi people on that contract and on continuing US occupation should be acceded to.","date":"2008-06-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35938","proposer":"10123","edm":"1656","session":"2007-08","title":"UK Policy On Relations With Zimbabwe","text":"That this House condemns the attendance of Robert Mugabe at the United Nations conference on food security in Rome; notes that although there is a European Union travel ban upon him, there is a loophole in connection with a United Nations event; considers that consistency in dealing with the Mugabe regime is essential and that the UK has adopted a policy of Ministers not attending where Mugabe and his Ministers are present; further notes that the Prime Minister himself, last year, boycotted an EU-African Summit because Mugabe had been invited to attend; is concerned therefore that the Secretary of State for International Development is attending the Rome Conference; further notes that Mugabe and his team will ruthlessly use such official presence at this conference as part of the campaign in the forthcoming crucial second round election in Zimbabwe; and therefore calls on the UK not to attend the Rome Conference.","date":"2008-06-02","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35914","proposer":"11589","edm":"1632","session":"2007-08","title":"Senator Edward Kennedy","text":"That this House expresses its best wishes to Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the news of his illness; joins all his Congressional colleagues in saluting him as a towering legislator; commends his tireless ability which has earned him such regard across the aisle and across the Atlantic; applauds him as a powerful orator of the time; appreciates his unswerving opposition to violence and human rights abuses in Northern Ireland, from any quarter; recognises that the resolve, energy and fighting determination he has brought to so many causes will now be called upon again; and looks forward to his political passion and articulate compassion offering inspiration and enlightenment throughout the elections in the United States.","date":"2008-05-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35860","proposer":"11995","edm":"1583","session":"2007-08","title":"Elections In The Republic Of Maldives","text":"That this House welcomes the forthcoming presidential elections in the Republic of Maldives as the country's first multi-party elections; notes with concern that there is no independent election commission in the Maldives; further notes with concern that state-run media institutions, including the country's only television channel, are under no obligation to provide equal coverage for all political parties and their candidates, including the main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party; encourages the Government to establish an independent field presence in the Maldives to monitor the election process, or assist the EU to send at least 30 election observers to the Maldives; and further encourages the Government to emphasise the importance of a free and fair electoral process as part of the continuing political and constitutional reforms.","date":"2008-05-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35845","proposer":"10022","edm":"1569","session":"2007-08","title":"PRIME MINISTER'S MEETING WITH THE DALAI LAMA","text":"That this House is disappointed and concerned that the Prime Minister has decided that his forthcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama should take place in Lambeth Palace and that he is apparently only prepared to meet the Dalai Lama in his capacity as a spiritual leader, despite the fact that successive British governments have never recognised Chinese sovereignty over Tibet; further notes that the Dalai Lama on previous visits was received at 10 Downing Street by both John Major and Tony Blair; regrets that, especially at this time of crisis for the Tibetan people, the Prime Minister has not given sufficient weight to the appalling brutality of the Chinese in occupied Tibet, in contrast to the Dalai Lama, who has always advocated a non-violent approach; and calls on the Prime Minister to switch the venue of the meeting to Downing Street.","date":"2008-05-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35756","proposer":"11427","edm":"1490","session":"2007-08","title":"Relations Between Turkey And The Kurdistan Regional Government","text":"That this House regrets the loss of life following recent Turkish bombardments on the border with Iraqi Kurdistan; warmly welcomes the meeting at the end of April in Baghdad between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation led by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and the delegation from the Republic of Turkey headed by Mr Ahmet Davutoglu, the senior adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Murat \u00c3\u2013zcelik, the Special Co-ordinator for Iraqi Affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Mr Derya Kanbay, Turkey's Ambassador in Baghdad; notes that this first high-level official meeting of both sides, which focused on a wide range of political, security and economic issues between Turkey and the KRG, was conducted in a cordial and open atmosphere in which both sides stressed similar views on many issues and expressed a desire for common understanding and interests; and hopes that this meeting will enable good neighbourly relations and the resolution of common problems through co-operation, political negotiation and dialogue.","date":"2008-05-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35698","proposer":"10077","edm":"1437","session":"2007-08","title":"Bolivia And Referendum On Regional Autonomy","text":"That this House notes with concern that right-wing forces in the Santa Cruz department of Bolivia are insisting on holding a referendum on regional autonomy on 4th May; considers that this referendum violates the Bolivian constitution; notes that the Bolivian National Electoral Court has refused to endorse it; further notes that the Organisation of American States and the European Union have refused to send international observers to legitimise the referendum; is concerned that violent extremist right-wing groups such as the Santa Cruz Youth Union will be involved in intimidation of voters; and believes that the aim of the referendum is to undermine the democratically-elected government of Evo Morales, the first ever indigenous leader of Bolivia, whose aim is to create a more just and inclusive society for all Bolivians including the previously marginalised indigenous majority of that country.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35620","proposer":"10169","edm":"1373","session":"2007-08","title":"New Initiatives In Cyprus","text":"That this House warmly welcomes the recent positive developments in Cyprus following the election of President Demetris Christofias which, both at his initiative and through reciprocal decisions by Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, have created a new atmosphere of contact and co-operation; congratulates both leaders on succeeding in opening the fifth crossing point at the heart of the old city of Nicosia, the Cyprus equivalent of the pulling down of the Berlin Wall, reuniting after 44 years the Ledra Street\/Lokmaci shopping area; congratulates Mehmet Ali Talat for his ice-cream diplomacy and the Republic of Cyprus police and security personnel, Greek Cypriot shopkeepers and shoppers in making him welcome, the first time any Turkish Cypriot leader has received such a positive reception; further welcomes another major step forward in the establishment of the six working groups and seven technical committees envisaged in the Gambari agreement of July 2006; expresses its support for the democratically elected government of Turkey which is under threat and which can help Cyprus reunification become a reality; and looks forward with optimism to a genuinely Cypriot settlement which will be to the benefit of the whole region arising from these initiatives leading to a comprehensive settlement.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35629","proposer":"10077","edm":"1382","session":"2007-08","title":"Elections In Paraguay","text":"That this House warmly congratulates Fernando Lugo and the Patriotic Alliance for Change on their election victory in Paraguay ending 60 years of the conservative Colorado Party rule; recognises the victory as part of the continued shift to the left across Latin America as often impoverished citizens seek political alternatives to neo-liberal economic policies imposed upon them by domestic oligarchic elites and North American business interests; and calls upon the Government fully to respect and engage meaningfully with the democratic choice and popular governance of administrations led by Fernando Lugo (Paraguay), Evo Morales (Bolivia), Rafael Correa (Ecuador), Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (Argentina) and Tabar\u00c3\u00a9 V\u00c3\u00a1zquez (Uruguay) who seek to prove that another world is possible.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35511","proposer":"10197","edm":"1276","session":"2007-08","title":"China And The Olympic Games","text":"That this House, remembering that those nations attending the 1936 Olympic Games in Nazi Germany believed that by participating in the Games the Hitler regime would be civilised, calls upon the Government and individual competitors in the 2008 Olympics in China to begin thinking how they will prevent a 1936 replay with a totalitarian state again using the Games for their own propaganda purposes.","date":"2008-03-31","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35505","proposer":"11402","edm":"1270","session":"2007-08","title":"Serbia","text":"That this House notes the current political volatility in Serbia; and urges the Government to use its good offices with the European Union to persuade Europe to offer a full Stabilisation and Association Agreement to Serbia with a view to achieving increased political stability within that country.","date":"2008-03-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35503","proposer":"10133","edm":"1269","session":"2007-08","title":"Bangladesh And Democracy","text":"That this House notes the 37th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh; expresses deep concern at the present political situation in Bangladesh where the caretaker administration, supported by the military, has already been in office for 15 months; therefore calls for an end to the state of emergency, resumption of normal political activities, and that all political prisoners should have immediate access to independent legal representation and their cases heard in independent civilian courts; and furthermore expresses deep concern at the denial of medical care to any prisoner including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.","date":"2008-03-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35423","proposer":"10543","edm":"1197","session":"2007-08","title":"Mrs Sheikh Hasina Wajid","text":"That this House notes with grave concern that Mrs Sheikh Hasina Wajid, a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Leader of the Bangladeshi Awami League, has been under arrest for the last eight months by the military-backed government in Bangladesh; further notes that though various charges have been laid against her that she has not been offered due legal process or the right to a trial in an open, fair and transparent court; further notes that she is seriously ill in jail but has not been offered the appropriate hospital treatment; and calls upon the Government to make representations to the government of Bangladesh to either offer Mrs Sheikh Hasina Wajid a fair trial or to release her, to afford her immediate hospital treatment and, more generally, to uphold its democratic obligations to the country.","date":"2008-03-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35307","proposer":"10076","edm":"1099","session":"2007-08","title":"Gaza","text":"That this House expresses its revulsion at the mounting death toll in Gaza caused by Israeli military strikes; notes that around half of the 108 Palestinians killed in the six days between Wednesday 27th February and Monday 3rd March 2008 were civilians; also condemns the rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza which have killed one Israeli civilian in southern Israel in the last nine months and which, according to figures supplied by the British Israel Communications and Research Centre, have been responsible for the deaths of 24 Israelis since 2001; further notes that Israel's military strikes and its economic blockade of Gaza are achieving the opposite of their stated aim of deterring such rocket attacks; further notes that the strikes and blockade are causing widespread humanitarian suffering and, by collectively punishing the entire people of Gaza for the actions of those firing rockets, Israel's actions are contrary to international law; further notes the UN Security Council statement of 2nd March, and the statements from the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary and the EU Presidency dated 2nd March and 3rd March respectively; and therefore calls upon the international community to press for an immediate ceasefire in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank and adherence to international law by all parties, including requiring Israel to abide by its legal obligations as an internationally recognised state, and emphasises the United Kingdom's particular responsibility to ensure international compliance with humanitarian law as a High Contracting Party to the Fourth Geneva Convention.","date":"2008-03-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35177","proposer":"10077","edm":"982","session":"2007-08","title":"Fidel Castro","text":"That this House commends the achievements of Fidel Castro in securing first-class free healthcare and education provision for the people of Cuba despite the 44 year illegal US embargo of the Cuban economy; notes the great strides Cuba has taken during this period in many fields such as biotechnology and sport in both of which Cuba is a world leader; acknowledges the esteem in which Castro is held by the people and leaders of Africa, Asia and Latin America for leading the calls for emancipation of the world's poorest people from slavery, hunger and the denial of human rights such as the right to life, the right to shelter, the right to healthcare and basic medicines and the right to education; welcomes the EU statement that constructive engagement with Cuba at this time is the most responsible course of action; and calls upon the Government to respect Cuba's right to self-determination and resist the aggressive forces within the US Administration who are openly planning their own illegal transition in Cuba.","date":"2008-02-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35179","proposer":"10022","edm":"984","session":"2007-08","title":"Visit Of The Dalai Lama","text":"That this House welcomes the forthcoming visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the United Kingdom in May; recognises the strong historical connections between this country and Tibet; notes that the Dalai Lama has recently had meetings with President George Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Australia, Canada and Austria; and calls upon the Prime Minister to take the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his visit, particularly in the light of the worsening human rights position in Tibet and the Dalai Lama's commitment to a non-violent solution.","date":"2008-02-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35106","proposer":"10327","edm":"925","session":"2007-08","title":"Presidents Of The United States And China","text":"That this House notes that the President of the United States plans to meet the President of China when visiting the Olympic Games in Beijing later this year; and further notes that these two presidents have much in common to discuss, including indiscriminate use of capital punishment, torture of political prisoners and blatant violations of international law.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"35115","proposer":"11189","edm":"934","session":"2007-08","title":"Kosova","text":"That this House welcomes the Kosovan Declaration of Independence; calls on the UK Government, and other countries, to act quickly to recognise and respect Kosova's status as a sovereign state; notes that the Kosovan government has promised to respect democracy and the rights of all minorities within the country; and looks forward to embracing both Kosova and Serbia as sovereign nations within Europe.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34724","proposer":"10001","edm":"579","session":"2007-08","title":"Dialogue With Iran","text":"That this House acknowledges the National Intelligence Estimate's report on Iran's nuclear activities; recognises Iran's influence in the Middle East and its importance in securing peace in the region while not condoning Iran's human rights record or President Ahmadinejad's remarks regarding Israel; condemns the threat of military action against Iran as a method of diplomacy; and calls on the Government to open further dialogue with Iran, and to put pressure on the US Administration to do the same.","date":"2007-12-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34704","proposer":"10177","edm":"561","session":"2007-08","title":"Death Of Joseph Musasizi Kifefe","text":"That this House regrets the recent death in detention of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) member Mr Joseph Musasizi Kifefe; notes that the deceased was the subject of early day motion 1448 of Session 2006-07, Safety of Ugandan Opposition Members which received the support of more that 60 hon. Members; also notes that in addition to 19 opposition members, including their leader Dr Kizza Besigye, who are out on bail, the following suspects have not appeared in court since their arrest in March 2003: Deus Mande, Amon Byarugaba, Didas Atunga, Asiimwe Steven, Okello Dagama, Aloro Moro, Mabe Akollo, Yassin Nuru, William Mamenero, Matte Simon, Muchimba Zephanias, Kyarisima Matsiko, Kiliope Isaac, Abbey and Cosma Komakech; and calls on the British and Ugandan governments to ensure that Mr Musasizi Kifefe's death is fully investigated and that Dr Kizza Besigye and other opposition members are immediately brought to court and convicted or released.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34716","proposer":"10383","edm":"573","session":"2007-08","title":"Kurdish Democratic Society Party","text":"That this House calls upon the Government to express in the strongest terms to the Turkish government its dismay at the targeting by the Turkish judiciary of the Human Rights Association, and at the indictment of the leaders of the Kurdish political party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP), thus overturning the wishes of the people as expressed in the general election of July 2007 and ending the DTP's parliamentary representation; and urges the Government to seek a European Union initiative to express opposition to this unwarranted interference in the democratic process, a measure which is incompatible with Turkey's aim for full membership of the European Union.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34676","proposer":"10465","edm":"535","session":"2007-08","title":"Visit Of Romanian Prime Minister","text":"That this House welcomes the visit of Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and his commitment to build strong Anglo-Romanian economic and cultural links; notes that such links have already added value to British society; and supports further strategic development of economic and social interaction between these nations in the interest of mutual benefit and European integration.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34696","proposer":"11798","edm":"555","session":"2007-08","title":"Bangladesh","text":"That this House is concerned at the circumstances surrounding the detention in Bangladesh of both the former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina; urges the caretaker Government to ensure that all allegations against these ladies are closely scrutinised to ensure that there are no malicious or politically motivated denunciations; further notes the allegations of the apparent suppression of political free speech which has culminated in the recent jailing of four Bangladeshi university professors; and calls on the caretaker Government to ensure that lawful protest and freedom of political expression is allowed.","date":"2007-12-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34656","proposer":"10177","edm":"516","session":"2007-08","title":"Iranian Opposition","text":"That this House welcomes the 30th November judgment of the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) in the appeal brought by 35 hon. Members and Peers against the refusal of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to deproscribe the main democratic opposition to the Iranian regime, the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI); commends POAC for its careful consideration over a seven day hearing of all the evidence, which consisted of more than 15 files of documents and 20 witness statements; welcomes POAC's finding that the PMOI is not involved in terrorism and that the refusal of the Secretary of State to deproscribe the PMOI was flawed, perverse and must be set aside; and urges the Government to comply with the judgment of POAC which requires the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament as soon as possible the draft of an Order under section 3(3)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2000 removing the PMOI from the list of proscribed organisations.","date":"2007-12-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34617","proposer":"10614","edm":"484","session":"2007-08","title":"Release Of Gillian Gibbons","text":"That this House commends the efforts of Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi in helping to secure the release of Gillian Gibbons of Liverpool who was jailed in Sudan; notes that the actions of these two peers were important as part of the wider efforts of the Foreign Secretary, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other organisations; believes that Ms Gibbons's imprisonment was unjust; and hopes that the Government will continue to work with the Sudanese government on issues of mutual interest.","date":"2007-12-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34511","proposer":"11427","edm":"390","session":"2007-08","title":"Australian Labor Party And The Iraqi Labour Movement","text":"That this House warmly congratulates the Australian Labor Party and its leader Kevin Rudd on a stunning election victory; wishes the Labor Party the very best in its goals of social justice; and hopes for its support in seeking to provide moral assistance and solidarity to the new Iraqi labour movement, not least its trade unions which are a beacon of non-sectarianism and part of wider Iraqi efforts to build a thriving, democratic and federal Iraq.","date":"2007-11-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34487","proposer":"11531","edm":"367","session":"2007-08","title":"Annapolis Conference And Middle East Peace Process","text":"That this House fully supports recent efforts being made by Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas ahead of the forthcoming conference in Annapolis; commends those taking the bold and difficult steps necessary for finding a negotiated resolution to the conflict in the Middle East; congratulates the UK Government and the international community for encouraging these positive developments and actively engaging in the process; welcomes the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories and his efforts, on behalf of the British Government, to meet and work with those people who seek a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict; and believes that Annapolis presents a great opportunity to reinvigorate the peace process, encourage future negotiations, see a return to the Road Map and lead to the creation of two states for two peoples and a viable Palestine living side by side in peace with a safe and secure Israel.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34491","proposer":"10177","edm":"371","session":"2007-08","title":"Sustainable Political Settlement For Darfur","text":"That this House welcomes the first phase of the AU-UN Darfur peace talks; underlines the importance of a political solution to the situation in Darfur; notes that the talks are hindered by rebel fragmentation and represent the beginning of a rolling process; therefore urges the international community to continue to work towards greater unity among opposition movements to enable an inclusive second phase of negotiations and work with all parties to find forums conducive to negotiations by all; argues that it is essential for all stakeholders, including Arab communities, to be represented at the talks if peace is to be sustained; and notes this requires increased efforts on civil society inclusion, continued UK support for Darfur-Darfur dialogue, improved communication and reporting mechanisms and an enhanced capacity within the Joint Mediation Support Team.","date":"2007-11-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34452","proposer":"11923","edm":"334","session":"2007-08","title":"Imran Khan","text":"That this House expresses grave concern at the arrest of Imran Khan, the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party; condemns the decision of President Musharraf to impose a state of emergency; and urges the President to lift all restrictions on freedom and opposition parties and to restore the constitution and hold democratic elections as soon as possible.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34371","proposer":"10439","edm":"264","session":"2007-08","title":"Elections In Sierra Leone","text":"That this House congratulates Sierra Leone for its recent conduct of successful parliamentary and presidential elections, and the peaceful transition of power to the new regime; notes the important role of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in providing training and support to the political parties in Sierra Leone; supports the Foundation's ongoing work in the country; further supports President Koroma's desire to tackle corruption; believes that Sierra Leone can now build on these elections to create a prosperous and democratic state; recognises the role that Britain and the United Nations played in bringing stability to Sierra Leone; welcomes the trial of Charles Taylor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Hague; and hopes that the conclusion of this trial will allow Sierra Leone to leave its difficult past behind it.","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34149","proposer":"10439","edm":"59","session":"2007-08","title":"FIRST MINISTER'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH BURMESE JUNTA","text":"That this House welcomes the recent visit of representatives of the opposition movement in Burma to the Scottish Parliament; expresses its support for their campaign for freedom, justice and democracy in Burma; believes that all countries that share those values should put maximum pressure on the army generals at the head of the Burmese regime; notes that Burma has been heavily criticised by the United Nations for its crackdown on anti-government protests last month and the deaths and suffering caused to unarmed civilians; is therefore outraged that the First Minister of Scotland's most recent communication with the Burmese junta has been to ask for its help and support for his campaign for observer status for Scotland at the United Nations rather than in support of the international response to this crisis; believes that the First Minister could have avoided this situation if he had followed the agreed concordat with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and had discussed his letter to Burma with the FCO before it was sent; reiterates its wholehearted support for the pro-democracy protesters in Burma and condemns the oppressive actions of the military junta past and present; and calls on all political institutions, including the Office of the First Minister, to fully support international efforts to bring peace and democracy to Burma.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"International politics and government","id":"34154","proposer":"10528","edm":"64","session":"2007-08","title":"State Of Emergency In Pakistan","text":"That this House expresses its concern at the declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan and the suspension of the constitution; recognises that Pakistan faces serious threats of extremism and terrorism; believes that the best way to tackle extremism and terrorism is through democracy; and calls on President Musharraf to lift the state of emergency and to restore the constitution, to lift the restrictions on press freedom, to release all political prisoners and to move towards democracy by holding free and fair elections by January 2008.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"}]